Niall McConnell, late of Mulgannon, Wexford, was born in Sandymount, Dublin and educated at Blackrock College and UCD. He was a sportsman of note and played senior club rugby until he was 39 years of age. He developed a love of cricket and joined the Railway Union club. He played the game to a high standard and holds the record for the greatest number of wickets in senior cricket in Ireland.
Even in his very early days he was noted for service to his community and he was elected national president of Junior Chamber Ireland. In that capacity he hosted the world conference in Dublin in 1969. He worked for a time as chief executive of the nationally known cake company, Gateaux Ltd.
He took a Trinity College business degree in the Irish Management Institute and his career as a management consultant took him to Wexford on a number of occasions. In 1978 he settled there and integrated himself fully into Wexford affairs.
He lived firstly in the Castlebridge area and became involved in the social affairs of the district in a voluntary capacity, serving on many committees. He was president of Wexford Wanderers Cricket Club and later of Wexford Wanderers Rugby Club, organising many successful fund-raising ventures that helped to place both institutions on a firm financial footing. He then served for many years as chairman of Wexford Arts Centre and was instrumental in broadening the organisation's appeal. He also served on the finance committee of Wexford Festival Opera.
His greatest legacy to Wexford was probably his involvement with Wexford Enterprise Centre, which he served firstly as a committee member and then as chairman of the board. The centre was set up to create jobs for Wexford at a time when Ireland had a record high unemployment rate. Niall spent countless hours working for this institution and it is largely to his credit that the organisation is today a model for other enterprise centres to follow.
Sometimes it seemed that Niall lived in the wrong era. He seemed to be too chivalrous, too kind and altogether too courteous for the rigours of late 20thcentury business life. In the thrust and parry of the commercial arena, his innate goodness always surfaced and this facet of his character often brought out the best in the more pragmatic individuals with whom he came into contact. He pricked many consciences by his example, his unselfish behaviour and his moral standards.
Niall was a gentle, cultured man and always emphasised the good in each individual. He inspired others to serve their communities, sometimes by example, sometimes by gentle persuasion and sometimes by sensitively reminding them of their obligations. No one ever took offence - for Niall was incapable of giving offence. He saw the good in everyone. To say that he had no enemies would be an understatement, for he was universally loved. He warmed the hearts of all who were privileged to know him. This was shown by the attendance at his funeral of a number of people who had worked with him in Gateaux. They had not seen Niall since 1957, but such was the imprint he had made on them that, on reading about his death in the newspaper, they drove down from Dublin for his funeral.
Niall had no interest in worldly wealth and most of his time was spent doing voluntary work without recompense. Indeed, I know of a number of occasions when he broke the golden rule and became personally involved by giving money to people who had consulted him in his capacity as a business adviser.
It was rare to see Niall in bad humour. He beamed his way through life and even in the throes of his incurable final illness he was able to see the bright side of things. He bore his illness with good humour and with an uncomplaining acceptance of the Creator's will. He never wanted to talk about himself but seemed to thrive on hearing about others and how they were coping with the stresses and strains of life.
His later years were greatly fulfilled by the presence in his life of his beloved wife, Barbara. He was never happier that when he was with her and he embraced the members of her family with true love and affection. Sincerest sympathy is extended to Barbara, the children and grandchildren, his brother, Conal and his extended family.
Niall loved Wexford and Wexford loved him. His heart was lifted by evening walks on the windy sands of Rosslare or on the lakeside grassy paths of Our Lady's Island. It is fitting that he now rests there - at peace with nature, at peace with himself, and at peace with God.