A SPECIAL night of music and celebration will this Saturday night remember two brothers who died in an accident a decade ago.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the untimely deaths of Sion Mills brothers, Damien and Aidan McGrath, who both lost their young lives in a horrific accident, made even more tragic by the fact that it happened while they were travelling up from Glenties (Damien's adopted home) to attend the funeral of their maternal grandmother, who idolised them both.
Their deaths numbed the whole community, where they had been held in high esteem by all. Their funerals brought people together from all sides of the community. They left a vacuum that we can never hope to fill and many hearts, even with the passing of time still remain deeply scarred. But this is not meant to be a sad affair, but a celebration.
Antaine O'Fearghaill said,"Their deaths left us, their friends, with great memories which we will cherish forever, and for this we are truly grateful, for it was indeed a pleasure to have known them both.
"Everyone will remember them in their own way. Damien's name will always be synonymous with music, in particular, traditional Irish music. A great man for the sessions, he was always ready with a tin whistle or fiddle close by and he was a welcome guest at any location, for he often brightened up what might have otherwise been a very dull night.
"He was unique, a one off; a brilliant husband, a loving father, a caring son and an older brother who regarded his siblings as his equals and treated them with respect. He was a beautiful person in every sense of the word, increasing his circle of friends wherever he went.
Aidan, his younger brother, and youngest of the brothers was a different character. He, too, was a loving father, husband and son. He had a great interest in and was an avid supporter of both the local Sigerson and Tír Eoghain teams. He had a sincere love for his native language and a willingness to learn.
Antaine said, "He attended classes himself and encouraged others to do the same. Aidan is the man whose interest, persistence and dedication brought about the first Irish class in recent times to Sion Mills. He managed to round up enough like minded individuals to warrant the setting up of classes on a weekly basis.
"After his death, we, his friends, approached his wife Pauline and the McGrath family seeking their permission to establish a branch of Conradh na Gaeilge in his honour, which they granted wholeheartedly. We are extremely grateful to them because that initial seed planted by Aidan has taken solid root here where the Irish language is flourishing."
On Saturday night June 23 their friends in CRAIC and everyone involved in Pobal Mhuileann an tSiáin and the Aidan McGrath branch of Conradh na Gaeilge will provide a night of music in their honour in JK's in Sion Mills commencing at 9pm sharp. There will be an admission fee of £5 in aid of Foyle Hospice, and all are welcome to attend.
