Carrick-on-Suir mourns death of one of its most popular cultural figures - Tom Nealon

Carrick-on-Suir lost one of its most respected and loved cultural figures with the death of former Greenschool CBS principal Tom Nealon who made an immense contribution to the arts in his adopted town through his involvement in Brewery Lane Theatre.

Mr Nealon, a native of Inagh, county Clare who lived at Pill Road, Carrick, passed away last Wednesday, December 11 surrounded by his loving family.

The hundreds of mourners who turned out at the removal of his remains at Walsh’s Funeral Home and Requiem Mass at St Nicholas Church in Carrick last Saturday and Sunday were a testament to his huge popularity in the town.

He was a highly regarded and dedicated teacher for 46 years at the Greenschool and served as the school's principal for many years where he passed on his love of learning, drama and GAA to generations of students.

He was one of the key driving forces behind Carrick’s acclaimed Brewery Lane Theatre and Drama Group as an award winning actor and director, committee member, set designer and tutor and mentor to young actors through the Brewery Lane Youth Drama Workshops.

A guard of honour of Brewery Lane Theatre members accompanied the hearse bearing his remains as the funeral procession passed through the town centre on Sunday on its way to St Mary’s Cemetery where he was buried

Mr Nealon did much to foster Carrick-on-Suir’s cultural links with Newfoundland through his involvement in the Ireland/Newfoundland Connections organisation.

He also had a great knowledge and love of the Irish language, history and culture and was involved with other members of Carrick-on-Suir’s Craobh O’hIcí branch of Conradh na Gaeilge in publishing a guide book about Carrick’s heritage and places to visit called “Camchuairt na Carraige agus Eolas ar an gCúltír” a few months ago.

At his Requiem Mass, Fr Jimmy Browne beautifully summed up Tom Nealon in his homily when he recounted how he always came away after meeting him, “a richer human being”. “Everything about him resonated peace, learning and a love of life.

“For all of us who knew him, it was just a privilege. He enriched our lives in so many ways.

“Whenever the name of Tom Nealon is mentioned, it will arise feelings of gratitude and joy. Everything that was good in life was manifest in Tom.”

Tom Nealon is pre-deceased by his parents Tom and Nora, wife Pearl, who passed away last year, son Tomás, sister Mary.

He is survived by his children Mairéad and Fergal, siblings Bríd and Leonard, son-in-law Rory O’Callaghan, daughter-in-law Claire Nealon, grandchildren Sadhbh, Conn, Ailbhe, Tom, Éadaoin and Cara, relatives and many friends.

Brewery Lane Brewery Lane remembers award-winning actor and director

Brewery Lane Theatre’s eloquent tribute to Tom Nealon said he touched the lives of everyone in Carrick and its environs.

The theatre and its drama group extended sincere condolences to his grieving family and and many friends.

The tribute described how Tom had "an uncanny ability to find friendship and common ground with people from all walks of life and always welcomed new faces into his circle".

“He arrived in Carrick in 1956 from his native Ennistymon to take up his first teaching post at the Greenschool CBS following the retirement of teacher Johnny Cahill.

Brewery Lane Theatre said the Clare man’s posting was“ fortuitous for Carrick”.

“At the heart of every thriving community are exceptional people. Tom was the quintessential patriot, and his talents were freely given to enrich cultural, educational, social and sporting life.

“Some years ago Carrick Urban Council accorded a reception in his honour acknowledging his immense contribution to his fellow citizens.

“Tom had many talents. He was a fluent Irish speaker, public speaker, raconteur, and storyteller. He illuminated many stages and gatherings with his recitations and witty anecdotes.

Especially memorable were the 1960s Saturday night entertainments in Mount Richard where he was MC.

“Joining the drama group in 1959 was a natural progression for Tom with his outgoing personality, and thus began 65 years of involvement in what is now Brewery Lane Theatre.

“He met his future wife Pearl Sheehy when they were cast members in The Curious Savage in 1966.

He has been an actor, director, set designer, chairman, and committee member during those years.

“Brewery Lane Drama Group qualified for the All-Ireland Drama Finals in Athlone on seven occasions. Tom won several best-actor awards while on the festival circuit.

“Under the direction of Tom and Peg Power, the group went on to win the International Drama Final at the Maytime Festival in Dundalk in 1974.

“He also directed two Macra Na Feirme one-act plays that won two national finals.

“Tom’s final acting role as the publican in the 2019 Clancy Festival one-act play, After Hours, was a masterclass in stagecraft.

Every production was an exciting pathway for him.

“He directed Heather Comerford’s play Bone Music for this year’s Clancy Brothers Music & Arts Festival. An innovative director, he often turned a snowflake into a blizzard.

“Endowed by nature with a well-stocked mind, he also had a depth of knowledge and transplanted those qualities to the theatre and the upturned faces of his students in the Greenschool.

“Tom never succumbed to weariness.

“Such was his enthusiasm he took a one-act play, The Pot of Broth, to Newfoundland. The play was performed in Fogo Island, Conception Bay, and St. John’s,

“As an active member of Ireland/Newfoundland Connections, he visited Newfoundland on several occasions where he forged many friendships.

"Tom recently collaborated with others and published a booklet translating local placenames to their original Gaelic meaning. 1956 may have seemed a long way from ‘Clare to here’ but sadly the journey is over. A great oak has tipped over in the wind.

“The voice that directed, mentored, cajoled, inspired, praised, enlightened, and encouraged is now silent.

“You will be long remembered Tom by those on whose life you left an indelible mark. Sabhail Abhaile anois Tom. Tá an obair deanta agat. Táim cinnte go mbeidh leaba agat ar neamh.” WD

A 'Fantastic' Teacher Who Gave So Much

The Greenschool CBS paid the following heartfelt tribute to the late Tom Nealon.

“Tom started in the Greenschool in 1956. He was teaching in rooms at the Monastery in the early days and had 65 boys in his class one year.

“He retired in 2002 after an incredible 46-year career and was welcomed back as a sub for many years after that.

“Among the legacies to our school, he introduced the school assembly and pupil and classes of the month. This is still a big part of our incentives today and enjoyed by all the children.

“Though not native to Carrick, he could trace family connections through three and four generations.

“He had a love of old Irish and the meanings of local and national place names and helped to produce the booklet, “Camchuairt na Carraige agus Eolas ar an gCúltír” published earlier this year.

“Tom was like a father to those he worked with over his time in the Greenschool.

Time meant nothing to him and he had all the time in the world for young and old alike.

“Students and fellow teachers were in awe of his encyclopedic knowledge of history, Irish, drama, politics, sport, current affairs; the list goes on.

“His legendary shows in the school inspired many to continue their love of drama into adulthood.

“The success of the Brewery Lane Theatre and Strand Theatre is a testament to this.

“Tom gave so much time to coaching GAA skills in the Greenschool and had many successes with teams over the years.

“He set up street leagues in the 1950s and 1960s and has had a huge impact on the sporting lives of so many in Carrick.

“A fantastic teacher and a legendary Clare and Carrick man. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.”