Brendan Galligan RIP ‘now gone on his final journey’

A gentleman with a sharp intellect and a subtle sense of humour was how Rev Andrei Stolnicu described the late Brendan Galligan at his funeral Mass last Wednesday. Brendan and his wife Connie established Mullingar Travel in 1978, and, over five decades, they enabled their clients to explore the world and open new horizons through travel.

In his eulogy, Fr Stolnicu said that Brendan, a man who spent his life sending others on their journeys, was now gone on his final journey. Christ is the best travel agent and the best host, he said, adding that He has a place and a welcome ready for Brendan.

He spoke of Brendan’s goodness, his quiet charity and of how generously he gave of his time and himself. “Brendan had a way of making people feel valued without making them think they were asking too much,” Fr Stolnicu said.

“He was in many ways a teacher all his life, not only in what he knew but in how he carried himself. He guided people, mentored them, showed them how to move forth, how to do things well, how to take pride in what they were about, and he did not do it with noise or show but with patience and with that quiet authority that people trust,” he added.

Fr Stolnicu said Mullingar Travel was a place shaded by Brendan’s presence, by his standards and by the way he treated people with respect. “Together with Connie, he created something special, not just a successful business but an atmosphere, something human, something people will carry with them long after today. So many will remember those visits to Mullingar Travel, knowing that no matter how busy things were Brendan would always make time,” he remarked.

He talked of Brendan’s sharpness of mind, wit, quiet intelligence “that would come through in a conversation, often with a touch of humour that caught you just at the right moment”.

Fr Stolnicu spoke of Brendan’s love of learning – “a Latin teacher who understood the weight and beauty of words”.

He concluded his eulogy with two Latin phrases which he translated for the congregation – “Do not be afraid, the journey has not been lost. I have come home”, and “You are always with me”.

Brendan’s grandchildren Grace and Ben carried to the altar gifts symbolising his life – his work gloves representing his dedication to hard work from his early days growing up on the family farm in Cavan to helping to build the subway in New York in the 1970s, and later caring for his own land in Mullingar, a model plane symbolising Brendan’s passion for travel, and a book of poetry which represented Brendan’s lifelong love of literature.

Brendan’s son-in-law Brian and daughter-in-law Nicola presented the bread and wine in the Offertory Procession. At the end of Mass, his son Colin read a reflection dedicated to his father.

A native of Mullahoran, County Cavan, Brendan passed peacefully at his home at Rathcolman, Mullingar, on April 12, after a short illness. He was predeceased by his brother Peter and sister Sr Margaret.

Brendan’s passing is deeply regretted by his loving wife Connie, his son Colin and daughters Sarah and Karen, his daughter-in-law Nicola, son-in-law Brian, his adored granddaughters Grace and Blossom, grandsons Ben, Billy and Teddy, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. He is sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his siblings Mary T, Bridie, Con, James and Thomas, his former teaching colleagues at Coláiste Mhuire Secondary School, Mullingar, his work colleagues at Mullingar Travel, and his friends in the Rotary Club, Mullingar.

Following funeral Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, Brendan was laid to rest in Walshestown Cemetery.

Travelbiz and Travelfinders

In a tribute to Brendan, Don Shearer, managing director, Travelbiz and Travelfinders, wrote: It is with great sadness that I learned of Brendan’s passing this weekend, following a short illness.

Over many years, I had the privilege of calling to see Brendan in Mullingar Travel, and without fail, he extended a warm and genuine welcome. He always made time for a chat, showed sincere appreciation for visits, and took real pride in his business and his team. Brendan, alongside his wife Connie, created an atmosphere that was both professional and deeply personal, something that will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

On behalf of everyone at Travelbiz and Travelfinders, along with our readers, subscribers and trade partners, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Connie, the Galligan family, and the entire Mullingar Travel team.