Legacy Matters

The Fields of Athenry

A moving tribute to an ordinary man who was much loved and who will be missed.

A toast to an Irishman

Eddie Treacy lived in the shadows and died in his bed, the covers pulled up, his lungs full of fluid. 

He was 33 years old, and there is no other way to say this: He died too young.

He came to Dorchester eight years ago from Athenry, in County Galway, part of what could be the last great wave of the young Irish to come here.
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After Mass, about 200 people posed on the front steps of the church for a photo to send back to Eddie's mother, Ann, so she would know that Eddie mattered here. Many of the young men standing there had given up a day's wages to pay their respects.

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Once, he told Muldoon he would be happy if he died in his own bed and they played "The Fields of Athenry" at his funeral.

He did and they did.

R.I.P. Eddie Treacy and condolences to his family.