Cities and places are the products of those who live there, who shape the communities, who by their deeds and actions influence the way things get done. Galway, having had its own makeover from a provincial trading town to a city of affluence and attitude, is a patchwork quilt formed from the colourful threads of all those who have come here and made an impact.
One such person was John Mulholland. A man with an unquenchable energy and quest for progress. A man who was always getting on with getting on. A man who could sing and tell tales to beat the band. Whose unique personality matched Galway, who didn’t need two names to get around town. Everyone knew Mul’. and this week as the news of his passing, everyone mourns him.
John never engaged in any smalltalk, never suffered any fools gladly. You had to earn an audience and work to maintain it. He was always a man in a hurry. A man with no ‘look it’ or ‘listens.’ Indeed, the calmest I ever saw him was when he wore the city robes with distinction through all his years of public service.
Oiutside of City Hall, he was a dynamo and it was that dynamism that himself and Margaret passed down to all their children, all mourning today, the loss of a larger than life figure, who enhanced our lives, but who shaped theirs. Their loss will be all the more immense.
It was perhaps appropriate that a city like Galway, a city mad for road (though not in the ring road variety ) should have as its first citizen, not once, but twice, a man who drove the proceedings of the City Council on. A man who served as Mayor during the bleak 1980s, and later in the late 90s when the city was a booming blossoming place for which progress knew no limits. At least, that was what we thought then.
John Mulholland seems to have been at the heart of Galway life for decades and decades, and yet, his passing this week seems so untimely. His contribution to Galway life and his personable and warm family will be his legacy. We are glad to have known him. This man with a sparkle and glint in his eye.
His passing is another dark moment in a week of unbearable sadness. There was already a heaviness in all of us, a leaden weight tied onto our hearts. An inability to see joy because of the sadness that envelopes us.
The tragedy in Creeslough has hurt us all because it happened to a slice of life with which we are all familiar.
The Friday afternoon treat; the surprise birthday cake for Mom, the hardworking service staff, the man who cares for his elderly mother, getting cash to pay for his ordered takeaway; the talented student home to visit friends; the skillful sporting teenager who plays was looking forward to a sleepover with her mates.
Life is wonderful and it passes by very quickly. Savour all the moments you can, because we never know when they will be snatched from us.
