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Pat Trainor (1940-2005)

A tribute to Pat Trainor, National Treasurer of Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta who died recently. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

An obituary by Paul Sloan, Cathaoirleach Cumann na mBunscol, Aontroim

I first met Pat Trainor on September 1st. 1970. The day is easy to remember as it was my first day of employment in the teaching profession. The school was the renowned Holy Child Primary School in Andersonstown, Belfast. Pat was assigned as my “mentor” in Primary 4 and, little though I knew it at that time, our relationship would endure a further thirty-five years. Holy Child was an established “nursery” for the development of Gaelic games and Pat was already one of its stalwarts. So prolific was the games development programme at that time, the school had three Gaelic football teams – A, B and C. Within days of embarking on my fledgling career, Pat and his colleague and friend Vincent Green had assigned me the “C” team, comprising only P6 pupils. There was no interview just a friendly recommendation to accept!!! I was further told that my target was the Raffo Cup in 1971/72.  Some challenge!!!  In our league we had to compete against P7’s from other schools and heavy defeats followed on a regular basis. I became disillusioned but Pat consistently encouraged and supported, advising that it would all be worthwhile in the end. I recall we actually won our last match!!!  Indeed we continued to improve and eventually did take the Raffo, in style, against St Finian’s in 1972 in Casement Park. It was my first experience of Gaelic games in primary school but more importantly I had encountered a priceless role model in Pat Trainor.

I continued to witness that caring commitment to Gaelic games in primary school right up until the time of his premature death as he texted me from hospital on an almost daily basis concerning his beloved Cumann na mBunscol. He served incessantly with the association in Belfast and was instrumental in its ultimate expansion throughout Antrim. He served with distinction as an outstanding treasurer at Provincial and National levels. Indeed he was still National Treasurer at the time of his death. Whilst Pat’s passing leaves a gaping void in Cumann na mBunscol Aontroim, his legacy of commitment and selfless service will sustain us long into the future. Above all though, I will fondly remember him as a friend, simple and uncomplicated in his ways but determined and dogged in pursuing his vision of a vibrant Cumann na mBunscol in Antrim. Countless primary schools’ boys and girls and their teachers will readily acclaim that Pat’s vision was well and truly realised in his own lifetime.

Go gcuire Éamon de Rís Beannaithe Pádraig í lámha ár nAthair ar Neamh.

Pat Trainor receives a Roadstone Award in 2004

Left to Right: Seán Ó Ceallaigh ( Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael ), Pat Trainor ( R.I.P. ), An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Michael Grogan ( Managing Director of Roadstone Provinces Ltd. )