This article is from page 22 of the 2009-10-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
ONE of Clare’s true characters will be honoured this week when he re- ceives an honorary degree from NUI, Galway.
Br Sean McNamara is one of just five people who will be honoured in a special ceremony later this week alongside traditional musician Frankie Gavin, RTE’s Northern Edi- tor Tommie Gorman, Galway soccer legend Eamonn ‘Chick’ Deacy and Fr Raymond Browne.
The Christian Brother will receive the award for his lifelong active engagement in voluntary organisa- tions.
Born in Kilmurry McMahon in 1927, Br Sean began his teaching ca- reer in 1947. He taught in Clonmel, Colaiste Mhuire and Marino in Dub- lin, Drogheda, Monaghan, Trim and Ballinrobe from where he retired when the Christian Brothers pulled out of that town in 1990.
During his time as a teacher, and more especially upon retirement in 1990, Br Sean became well known for his active engagement in volun- tary organisations and his campaign- ing on behalf of a number of organi- sations in the media.
As well as this he also served at
various times as Chairperson of the National Garden Association of Ire- land, as Council Member of Trees for Ireland and he was also a founding member of the St Columba’s Garden- ing Club in Dublin.
Over the last two decades, Fr Sean has also enjoyed an amount of fame as an author. He has written a number
of books including