Remembering Eddie Finnegan – ACP website contributor
EDDIE FINNEGAN
Séamus Ahearne:
INTRODUCTION
Eddie went missing. He was missed. I asked questions. I sent messages. No one knew where Eddie had disappeared. He was a ‘missing person.’ I recall my father Timmy. In the final years of his life, when he had Alzheimer’s. However, seared into the minds of most people in Waterford was ‘THE MISSING POSTMAN’ (Stradbally) at Christmas time. Whenever we passed anywhere near Stradbally, Timmy immediately said the words – ‘THE MISSING POSTMAN.’
Eddie had vanished. He was our ‘missing Eddie.’ I searched every possible place that might reveal Eddie. It came to nothing. Out here in the Algarve, I tried the internet. A number of Eddies came up. Even Eddie Finnegans. One looked promising. Eddie of London and Crossmaglen. The funeral was noted for the 11th November 2024 in St Patrick’s Church, Crossmaglen.
I tried the Parish Office. Jean, the Secretary, was only 7 weeks in the job, and knew nothing. I went back to her and asked if she would speak to someone who might know. I eventually got a response, which said that this Eddie was probably the man I was looking for. But that was it. I felt ‘probably’ wasn’t sufficient. I decided to contact the Funeral Director. Brendan Garvey of McConville Funeral Directors came back immediately and linked me up with Peter Finnegan (Eddie’s brother). Peter and myself spoke for ages on the phone. It was a wonderful moment. For Peter and for myself. He was delighted that someone from the ACP made contact. He has written a biographical note for us.
Peter Finnegan writes:
Edward/Eddie Finnegan, August 1943 – September 2024
Born Glassdrumonaghy, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh
Education: Clonalig Primary
St Patrick’s Armagh
St Patrick’s Maynooth – four years
Degree Classical Studies
Career:
Teaching English
One Year Newry
10 Years Yengema Secondary, Sierra Leone with The Holy Ghost Fathers
1977 – 2005 St Aloysius Secondary, London. Teaching, Head of English Department, Vice Principal
Wrote/co-wrote several teaching aid books mainly for West African curriculum.
After retirement in 2005, he spearheaded fundraising and logistical campaigns around the world among past pupils and teachers (and everyone else whom he could cajole) to rebuild and reinvigorate the Yengema School and Sierra Leone education system which had been destroyed in a bloody civil war. During the Ebola outbreak, he had massive amounts of hygiene and medical shipped at his own expense to Sierra Leone.
Having seen the school rebuilt, refurnished and running again under his guidance (even to the point of travelling there to interview teachers and management while in poor health), his final act was to hand over to the school his own personal and extensive library. This was done five days before his death.
His funeral/cremation was held in London and Memorial Mass and burial of Ashes held in St Patrick’s, Crossmaglen 11th November 2024.
Beloved husband of Leila. Predeceased by his parents May and Eddie Finnegan, brothers Anthony and Pat and sister in law Libby. Cherished brother of Briege, Bernard, Anna, Michael, Peter, Rose, Willie and Bernadette.
Séamus Ahearne:
COMMENTARY AND CONCLUSION:
Some of us only knew Eddie on the ACP website. He was a brilliant writer. He was one of the best. He added colour and tenacity to the site. He was extremely knowledgeable. He knew the story of the Church, and knew many of the characters in the Church. He was oozing real humanity. His use of language was most impressive. He had fun. He had humour. But his scalpel as sharp.
Peter used the image of the scythe when he talked of their father. I can recall the same image with my own father. There was more time spent sharpening the scythe than cutting. And so with Eddie. His skill was in using the stone to sharpen the scythe. And then the words came. Some winced in semi-fear that those words might be coming their way. I recall a journalist being assaulted on my behalf!
Eddie was an inspiration. Eddie was a man of vision. Eddie had a breadth of view. Eddie stretched our minds and hearts and imaginations. Eddie was to me – someone who summed up what the ACP website was for. To lift hearts. To say the unsayable. To be alternative. To speak from awareness and knowledge. And love. Yes. To speak with authority. He did. We were very blessed.
We have lost Pádraig McCarthy and Eddie Finnegan. These were two great men on our Site. They were fearless. I am so happy to have spoken with Peter and learned the fuller picture of who Eddie was. I am so pleased to have re-discovered Eddie. We couldn’t let him evaporate unnoticed. I am grateful to have met Eddie on the site. I am happy to have spoken with Peter his brother. Teilhard de Chardin’s ‘Mass on the World’ would include the Eddie Finnegans and the Pádraig McCarthys of this world. Eucharist is awesome gratitude. It is grace. It is an awareness of what and who we have, and are. It is holy. It is a celebration of awareness. I use the image of a relay race – handing on the baton. We can’t let the baton of Eddie and Pádraig drop. They blessed us. Who will do it now? Who can do it?
Seamus Ahearne OSA
13th June 2025
Eddie’s Funeral Mass Booklet:
Séamus, thank you so much for all that you have done to trace Eddie and to give us this account of his life, and your tribute.
What a wonderfully erudite contribution Eddie made to our ACP site over the years.
I got Eddie’s email address many years ago — can’t remember how now — shortly after the ACP site had opened.
I was so curious to know who this great man really was and he shared with me much of what Peter shared with you, Séamus.
So, thank you again, Séamus.
You are so correct to speak of Pádraig and Eddie as great men, as you are yourself too, Séamus.
God bless you and good night.
Paddy 🙏🙏
Thank you Séamus, I too didn’t know about Eddie’s death. I only knew him through his frequent and very learned contributions on the website. It is good to know a bit more about the man. I am sure he is now enjoying more debating in Heaven, with other erudite contributors…and maybe even a few pesky women!