BY ROBERT MULHERN
AFTER lying quiet and unrecognised for years the contribution of GAA founder John McKay (pictured inset) has been loudly commemorated in a London cemetery.
A delegation from Ireland, which was led by GAA President Christy Cooney was in attendance in the St. Mary’s cemetery in Kensal Green, for the unveiling of a memorial honouring the Down man.
McKay was one of the seven original founders of the organisation, which was formed in Hayes Hotel Thurles in 1884. He emmigrated to Britain from Cork, where he worked as a journalist and died in 1923.
Cork man John Arnold who was a key player in researching McKay and organising the commemoration said: “The memorial is there for generations to pay their respects now and long into the future and the occasion brought with it great emotion and pride.”
Over 100 people turned out for the unveiling, which was completed by Cooney and former President Joe McDonagh against the backdrop of a crisp sunny day. During the commemoration Arnold sung two verses of The Mountains of Mourne as a tribute to McKay.
He added: “There is a great sense of achievement that after 80 years, the resting place of one of the seven founder members is marked and recognised.
On November 18, the last founder Thomas St. John McCarthy will be commemorated in Deansgrange Cemetery in Dublin.”
Along with John Arnold, librarians Donal McAnallan from Tyrone and Kieran McConville from Armagh discovered the final resting place of McKay and researched his background.
Arnold added: “For me a huge circle has been completed and it was only fitting that John McKay’s nephew was there to mark the moment.”