'His ability to make people happy was immense'

"He gave his all, made people laugh, and created great memories for us all."

In an emotional recollection of the life of Fergal Sloan at his funeral service this morning, his friend from as far back as the 1970s Ray Kelly provided word pictures of someone who'd had an impact on the Kilcullen community, 'near and far'. "His wit and his ability to make people happy was immense," Ray said, "whether being a quizmaster, a Santa Claus, an MC for the Duck Race, an auctioneer for charity events, a club committee member, or a drag artist."

He noted how songs and singing had played a big part in Fergal's life, from years ago performing with the Kilcullen Folk Group on the church altar, in the Capers, the sessions in McTernans on Sunday nights, and most recently with the Kilcullen Gospel Choir. "And he loved The Sound of Music, his and Eilis's favourite musical."

Ray brought up memories of Fergal's membership of a folk band in the early 1980s, Third Spirit — "the group played some high-profile gigs — Kilcullen Town Hall, Ryston Social Club opening for Christy Moore, they were very unlucky not to be signed up at the time" — and he recalled the loss of their 'acclaimed' demo tape, stolen from Fergal's yellow Ford Escort outside the National Stadium where they had gone to see Moving Hearts. 

Fergal was not only a singer, though — Ray reminded those present of his abilities as an orator and an actor, having trod the boards with Kilcullen Drama Group for many years, his personality shining out through many of the characters he played. "One of my favourites was A Wake in the West, where Fergal was the central character, spent the whole play in bed, with no lines, and was splashed on many occasions with holy water — on some occasions excessively. It was one of the most spectacular performances seen on Kilcullen’s stage in a long long time."

In his soccer-playing days, Fergal acquired one of a litany of nicknames. "When coming on as what is known now as an impact sub, but back then it was ‘we don’t have anyone else’, Fergal arrived on the pitch wearing a pair of scarlet red football socks. We were playing against a very witty Dublin team — 'Hey, will ye look at the bull comin’ on!' — and there was a fair bit of laughter. But that ended when the 'Bull' started homing his goals, and we won the game. Among that team he is still known as The Bull."

Ray commented that Fergal's first business venture, The Meeting Place cafe, summed up what made him tick. "Meeting people, talking to people, making people happy, a fantastic gift he had when with us. Fergal is gone, but only physically. Close your eyes, open your ears, and you will hear him — laughing, joking, reciting, singing, acting. 

"He is still doing what he does best, impacting people, only in this case, he’s making us cry. But tomorrow, and the day after, we should all make an effort to remember the good times, the fun times, the great times we all shared. We will support Eilis, Fiona, Ciarán and each other in the days and weeks ahead. This is what Fergal would want, and would expect, so don’t let him down."

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