OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi

Subject: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: John Moulden
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 02:32 PM

I regret to inform the Mudcat Café that Harry O'Prey, Henry to his oldest friends, whose identity in this forum is given above died on Wednesday 7th August. He contributed with erudition, humour and flashes of irritability to Mudcat, as Annraoi, from November 1998 until Jan 2000, when his cookie expired and he became GUESTAnnraoi. His last contribution was two days before his death.

I met him first in 1959 when we were habitués of the table at the extreme left of the Students' Union Dining Room at Queen's University in Belfast. We've been friends ever since, sharing an interest in Irish music and songs. He was generous with his knowledge. Recently I've been meeting him in Belfast to drink coffee and swap novelties and remembrances.

During the last year, he and his two sons endured the final illness of his wife Marceline. She died of cancer less than three weeks ago. Henry did not have to endure loneliness for long; my thoughts are much with Cormac and Conan.

His funeral takes place tomorrow - Saturday 10th August; Requiem Mass at St Patrick's Church, Donegall Street, Belfast at 11.00 with burial at Ardglass, Co Down, where Marceline lies.

I am sure that his family would appreciate the sympathy of members of this forum:

46 Brookvale Avenue
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT14 6BW

I personally am much the poorer for his passing. I think that others will feel the same.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 02:35 PM

Ohh, I enjoyed him so much. Sorry to hear of his passing.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 02:39 PM

Sad news. Condolences to his family. Burl

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 02:50 PM

My condolences to his family. He will indeed be missed around here.

Jeff Porterfield (jeffp)

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 02:52 PM

on the 7th of April GuestAnnraoi contributed this to the thread 'What would you want on your headstone':

"I'M BAAAAACK!!!!!!!!" Annraoi :-)))

he will be missed, remember him well al who knew him, tell his stories and sing his songs, and live as much as you can

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST,Brien
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 02:58 PM

have enjoyed reading Annraoi's posts with interest as long as I have been a visitor and member to the 'Cat. He will be greatly missed.

Brien(Copokie Expired)

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Giac
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 02:59 PM

Awww, sad news. I always enjoyed his posts. Best thoughts to his sons.

Mary

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: John Moulden
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 03:01 PM

Sorry - silly mistake - tomorrow is the 10th August - Henry always did say I didn't know what day it was.

---

Changed date in first post. --JoeClone

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 03:35 PM

John, my sympathy and my thanks for letting us know. There are people here I've never met and probably never will meet, but they still affect my life with what they contribute. Annraoi will be missed.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: fat B****rd
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 03:42 PM

Condolences and best regards to his loved ones.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 03:45 PM

In a thread in which Max seriously thought the Mudcat was going to close down, Annraoi urged him to "Keep her lit!" and went on to say:

We are a family, an extended family, but a family no less. Let's keep it that way.
Annraoi

Thanks, John, for letting us know. Our sympathies to his family and yourself. He will be missed by his family of Mudcatters, too.

kat

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: MMario
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 04:02 PM

kat and jeri have already said it all I believe. He will be missed.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Genie
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 04:17 PM

I, too, have enjoyed Annraoi's posts since I discovered Mudcat last summer and found them helpful. This is indeed very sad news.

Genie

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 04:22 PM

A little bit shall go ever on.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 04:54 PM

John,
I am very sorry to hear this bit of news. I was supposed to meet him in Belfast this past May but he was delayed and we missed each other. I remember him as a kid, he lived just around the corner from me, in fact we both were in St. Patrick's Boy Scouts together. His mother and my mother were distant relations. Please give my condolences to his family, some of them may remember me and/or one of my brothers.

Jimmy

Jimmy Cushnan - formerly from Lepper Street, just off the New Lodge Road.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Jimmy C
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 04:58 PM

Just had to reset my cookie, the previous message was from me. I will miss his postings very much.

Jimmy C

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 05:50 PM

What a sad thing.....He will be missed here for his contributions in all types of threads. My condolences as well to his family...Sounds as if they've had a time.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Morticia
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 06:51 PM

I'm sorry to hear this,he will be missed. My thoughts and best wishes to his family. It sounds like those poor boys have been through Hell.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 07:14 PM

Thanks for posting John. A real shock, and very sad. Even more so for you of course. Keep your pecker up.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: John Moulden
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 08:16 PM

Jimmy,

I'll be at the funeral tomorrow and will make a point of passing your condolences to the boys.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Escamillo
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 10:28 PM

Sad and totally unexpected. I wish the best for his sons. And I wish that the day I leave, many friends at the Mudcat dedicate a song to me, as we do now for Henry.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: alison
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 12:38 AM

I knew that his wife was ill, but am surprised to hear about Annraoi. What a great loss, he was a lovely man.......... I did have the good fortune to meet and play with him the last time I was home.

Please pass on my condolences to his family.

we'll miss you


alison

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Alice
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 12:47 AM

John, I am so, so sorry to hear this shocking news. Please tell his family that his wit and wisdom was appreciated as far away as Montana.

Alice Flynn

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: khandu
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 12:47 AM

Somehow, I missed out on his postings, yet I, nonetheless, feel a sense of loss, owing partly to the expressions of kindness of those who have posted to this thread.

I am at loss in having not known him.

May he ride high!

khandu

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST,mooman in South India
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 01:47 AM

This is very sad news indeed.

May I take this opportunity to pass on my deepest personal condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. He will be sadly missed in the Mudcat community.

mooman

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST, Barry Finn
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 02:57 AM

So sorry to find this sad news John but thank you none the less for it. Annraoi will be miss sorely by more than us here, please send along condolences to his loved ones. Barry Finn

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: smallpiper
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 06:08 AM

His likes will never be seen again. may he rest in peace

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 10:15 AM

Of all the Irish Mudcatters, Annraoi was certainly at the top of the list of those I wanted to meet. He contributed so much to our community, and was such an interesting poster. My favorites around this place are those that show us many sides. Annraoi certainly did that. But his willingness to help is what distinguished him. I will miss his presence here. The place is lessened in his passing but remains better for his having passed through. Fair winds on your travels, Annraoi. We will listen for your voice in others.

Mick

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 10:40 AM

I just logged in, after a week away at Sidmouth Folk Festival, and one of the things about festivals is that, along with the old friends you meet again, there are always a few who aren't there, and when you ask after them you find they've died. It's always part of it - and as the years go on, it's a bigger part of it.

And it's the same here on the Mudcat. He'll be missed, by people all round the world who've never seen him or spoken to him, or ever knew his name. And the posts he made here are still here. Tell that to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 02:18 PM

I guess it's partly my fault that Annraoi lost his cookie. There was another guy in British Columbia who was using the name "Annraoi," so I couldn't let Harry use the same name. He did have a cookie with the name Conán and posted with that name and with Guest Annraoi. I suspect that most of the Annraoi posts were from him, because the guy from British Columbia wasn't a prolific poster.
Whatever the case, Harry was a good guy, who contributed a lot here.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 03:19 PM

He was one of our best commentators on Irish music. I'm very sorry he's gone.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Den
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 05:10 PM

Thank you John for letting us know this sad news. My deepest sympathy goes to annraoi's sons from Nova Scotia canada. I think the boys might take some comfort in the fact that their Dad touched so many people around the world with his knowledge and intelligence. I'm glad that he is now back in the arms of his life partner Marceline. Love lives long after death. Den

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: paddymac
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 11:48 PM

Another bright star has been added to the Milky Way. Amen.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Melani
Date: 11 Aug 02 - 10:16 PM

Sorry to hear of it. God bless.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: georgeward
Date: 12 Aug 02 - 12:39 AM

What a wonderful presence he was here! How much more a presence must he have been in your life, John, and in the lives of his sons. My condolences to you all.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 12 Aug 02 - 12:47 AM

My sincerest condolences to his family, and we're a wee bit poorer here at the Mudcat for his passing.

Seamus

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Áine
Date: 12 Aug 02 - 02:35 AM

Dear John,

I know that this was a very hard message for you to pass on to us. Thank you for your kindness. This is a great loss to our extended family, especially the Gaeilgeoirí. My heart is heavy for his sons, family and friends. Annraoí was a very special man among men. I will miss him very much.

My prayers go out to all those who loved him, whether near or far away from Ireland. May he rest in peace, and sing with choirs of angels.

Bheir mí óró ó hó
Tá mé brónach is tú i m'dhith

Le meas is mise Áine

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: greg stephens
Date: 12 Aug 02 - 02:52 AM

The last GUESTAnnraoi posting I made a note of as interesting was in fact commenting on a posting by Conan about Sheebeg and Sheemore,. And I see from Joe Offer that they were one and the same person! Glad to see he was playing around to the last. Sadly missed.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From:
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 12:55 AM

I just got back from Montreal to see this bad news.

John, thanks for the information. I also enjoyed the messages from Annraoi over the time he's been around. I am also very saddened by this unfortunate event. I hope his family realizes that we understand their loss as well. He will surely be missed here at the Mudcat.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: alison
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 02:45 AM

transferred from another thread

Subject: Annraoi
From: GUEST,Neil Comer - PM
Date: 12-Aug-02 - 08:47 PM

Tá Annraoi ar shlí na fírinne. Fuair a bhanchéile bás coicís ó shin agus thug briseadh croí ar shlí na fírinne é féin Dé Máirt 6 Lúnasa. Ceoltóir den scoth a bhí ann agus Gael go smior....
Annraoi has died. His wife died two weeks ago and he has joined her. A true Gael who will be sadly missed

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 05:07 AM

I remember many years ago meeting a guy called "Henry" in the Linenhall library, and a couple of times thereafter. He was an authority on Gaaelic and I later heard he worked as a translator for the Northern Ireland Assembly. Until this post, I had not made the connection with Annraoi, but I am fairly sure they were one and the same. I think he and his folk came from Hillman Street or thereabouts.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 05:29 AM

Fionn, You are right, one and the same. My deepest sympathy to his Sons, Harry was a true Gael. The Irish News paid him a fine tribute. God rest his Soul. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 05:54 AM

I'm really sorry to hear of this. My thoughts are with his family.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 07:20 AM

Just logged in for the first time in a while - to find this sad news. I had been looking forward to meeting Annraoi someday - but never did. My loss. Thank you John for letting us know.

Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam.

Regards

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: kendall
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 07:43 AM

Sad news indeed; thanks for letting us know.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Airto
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 10:50 AM

Ard Mhacha, is there any chance of posting a link to the Irish News article? I'm sure many of us would be interested.

He was one of the people who make this website the treasure that it is.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 01:10 PM

Airto,I buy the paper and as the web site is no longer free I never visit. I am not sure of the date it could have been the 11th or 12th, is there a chance some other mudcatter could help.Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 01:27 PM

the article on Henry was in the Saturday August 10 edition. The web subscription just for a week won't help, because it doesn't cover archives access, just current issue, what a waste. maybe someone with a web subscription, or someone with a hard copy of the Sat. paper could transcribe it for us here?

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 01:39 PM

Airto and Bill, With the help of a kind neighbour I have the article, Please bear with me and I will type it.Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 02:23 PM

Tributes paid to Gaelic scholar.

Tributes have been paid to a leading irish scholar who died suddenly on Wedensday 7th August. Harry O`Prey a retired teacher, was a senior member of the translation service at the Northern Ireland Assembly where he specialised in Irish. The 62 years old death comes less than a fortnight after that of his wife Marceline who died on July 26th.

The father of two was a an active figure in the vibrant Irish language community in Belfast, organising and participating in many events.

The keen photographer was also the founder of the Christian Brothers past pupils Union Photography Club and is remembered for his sharp eye.

Deputy leader of the Alliance Party Ileen Bell yesterday spoke of her sadness at Mr O`Prey`s sudden death, "My husband and I have known Harry for fourty years and when he came up to Stormont it was just great" she said. "He will be missed by everyone- he was a marvellous man and it is sad to lose someone like him"

The North Down Assembly man said, Mr O`Prey and his wife Marceline had been" a very close couple".

Mr O`Prey`s appointment had caused some controversy, with some figures arguing that it would be an unnecessary expense, but he was unfazed by it all, according to Mrs Bell. "He was such an asset to the Assembly that no one cared about that argument". "Harry was a brilliant character, if you were down or annoyed about anything he would cheer you up".

Friend and member of the Irish community Seamus MacSeain also paid tribute to Mr O`Prey, "Harry was a teacher of Irish since he graduated from Queen`s University in the sixties, teaching in Assumption Grammar in Ballynahinch" Mr MacSeain said. "He was a talented musician and played in a number of Ceili Bands. He was a very lively person who had a great interest in a wide variety of subjects"

A colleague recalled Mr O`Prey`s fluent translation into English of a speaker`s words which was relayed through the audio to other Assembly members. "He was highly skilled and spoke several languages. Harry was a great man, a real character and an absolute gentleman" he said.

The esteemed Irish scholar also took part in the weekly Irish Masses at St Mary`s Church in Belfast city centre`s Chapel Lane. Irish News August 10th 2002.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: michaelr
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 09:52 PM

Please don't think I'm being facetious here, but I'm intrigued by the fact that Henry passed on just a couple of weeks after his wife. This is the stuff of folk songs! Was he ill himself, or do you think he died of a broken heart?

Respectfully,
Michael

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: alison
Date: 14 Aug 02 - 12:25 AM

I asked the same question Michael. He had a heart condition, which resulted in him dying from a heart attack.

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Art Thieme
Date: 14 Aug 02 - 12:50 AM

I'm so sorry.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: Airto
Date: 14 Aug 02 - 05:55 AM

Ard Mhacha,

Thank you very much for going to that trouble.

Airto

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: ard mhacha
Date: 14 Aug 02 - 11:12 AM

Airto, Your thanks is welcome. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Annraoi - GUESTAnnraoi
From: GUEST,Brían
Date: 14 Aug 02 - 12:54 PM

Ditto, Ard Mhacha. Henry seems to have been a man well worth knowing.

Brían