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Shane MacThomais was just 46 when he died
suddenly last Thursday. He took his own life and was found in Glasnevin
Cemetery where he had worked off and on since he was a teenager and where he
was employed for the last 14 years as the resident historian. He played a major
part in its very successful refurbishment and the transformation of that
historic place.
Shane was hugely popular and his walking
tours of Dublin and Glasnevin were renowned. He did regular interviews on tv
and radio and was the author of several books and scores of pamphlets. His last
book which was published in 2012 ‘Dead Interesting – Stories from the
Graveyards of Dublin’ also told the story of other Dublin cemeteries including
the Huguenot graveyard.
The refurbishment of the Daniel O Connell tower,
and the construction of a new staircase, was Shane’s most recent project but he
was also responsible for an exhibition about to open on the 100th
centenary of the Cumann na mBán. In recent years he had organised exhibitions
around the centenary of the Irish Volunteers and of the Ulster Rifles. This
latter saw him work closely with the UVF in Belfast.
Today a humanist service was
held in the Chapel at Glasnevin cemetery for Shane. It was packed and outside
hundreds more joined in celebrating the life of this outstanding republican.
Speakers included his friends Conor, Lorcan, Jack, George, his sisters Orla and
Maeliosa and his daughter Morgane. I was one of those asked to contribute to
the service. I said:
“I was both very shocked
and deeply saddened when I heard the news of Shane’s death. It had come just
out of the blue. I knew Shane both personally and politically.
He was enormously entertaining
and insightful about Irish history. He was also deeply passionate about history.
It wasn’t something for Shane that was dry and dusty. It was in his
consciousness; something very real - something that shaped his world - and
shapes our world.
He particularly loved
Dublin's history; the rebel history of Dublin that can you can see everywhere
if you know where to look. Shane showed us where to look. He showed us where to
find that wonderful, courageous past and remember it and celebrate it and particularly
the people - all of people.
He brought Irish
history alive to the thousands who visited Glasnevin every year and also on the
streets of Dublin. He wanted to ensure that young people in particular would
know their own history and be proud of it.
Shane literally lit up when he was talking about historical events. He helped to organise Sinn Féin’s Céad Bliain celebrations (100th birthday) in the Mansion House some years ago. The imagery, the exhibition all around the walls of the Mansion House were down to Shane.
I watched him during
the event. He couldn’t keep still. He was quietly speaking along with the
speakers, mouthing the lines of the contributors on the stage. And he was
deeply engrossed in making sure that everything was done properly.
That event was a very
fine and fitting tribute to the contribution played by Sinn Féin activists over
100 years of activism. It was also a very fine tribute to those who organised
it and in particular of Shane.
Shane was generous in
his writings. He was generous in his work. He was always inclusive. He wasn’t
narrow in his view. He understood how the threads of history weave the fabric
of the past.
Shane was a very
committed Irish republican, like his mother Rosaleen, who suffered a lot for
her beliefs, and like his father Eamonn who was also an author and a historian.
I knew Eamonn better
than I knew Shane. Eamon was one of the most interesting people ever to travel
anywhere across this island or anywhere across this city. Martin McGuinness was
in prison with Eamonn. They were in Portlaoise for a while, and he has very
fond memories of Eamonn, like a seanachaí, telling them yarns and stories and
the social history of Ireland and of the ordinary people.
Shane’s last book,
‘Dead Interesting’ has a beautiful preface about this father.
Shane brought the
same passion and enthusiasm to his political involvement. He believed in a real
republic where citizens would have rights and where ordinary people, the
citizens would come first. He believed in a united Ireland and in a real
republic, based on social justice.
He was a true Dub and
a character. His passing comes very close to the anniversary of the death of
another true Dub, Brendan Behan whose wit and humour and sense of history and
Dublin identity Shane would have keenly appreciated and identified with.
I remember the protest at the auction of 1916 memorabilia by Sinn Féin youth. And Shane got arrested. Of all the kids that were there Shane was arrested – he was like the oldest swinger in town among all the young ones. There is also a great photo of him at another historical re-enactment in a slouched hat in, I believe the uniform of the Citizens Army. He has a great cheeky grin – that great mischievous smile of his.
Shane's death leaves
a great void. He leaves a hole that can’t be filled; particularly for his
daughter Morgane, for his mother Rosaleen, for sisters Orla and Maeliosa and
his brother Damien and for his family, for Ruth and his wide circle of friends.
Shane encouraged
people. He connected with people. When someone motivates you and encourages you
and catches your interest – that’s special. We all know of the teacher who by
his or her ability put us on to something that was good for us, who changed
lives, who sparked a lifetime interest – that was Shane.
He will be missed,
especially by his family, but also by many others will miss him too. The 1916
centenary celebrations will not be the same without Shane. He would have
brought a special little something to that.
Shane had a life well
lived. It should be celebrated. All of us have flaws. We are all imperfect. There
is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. That’s how the light
gets in.
I want to finish with
a little poem by Brendan Kennelly for Morgane and for Rosaleen.
Begin
Begin to the loneliness that cannot end
since it perhaps is what makes us begin,
begin to wonder at unknown faces
at crying birds in the sudden rain
at branches stark in the willing sunlight
at seagulls foraging for bread
at couples sharing a sunny secret
alone together while making good.
Though we live in a world that dreams of ending
that always seems about to give in
something that will not acknowledge conclusion
insists that forever
begin.
Slan Shane
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