Christy Lehane, Chairman of the Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone, pays tribute to a wonderful community activist, the late great broadcaster Seán Hurley, to mark the fourth anniversary of his passing
At this time of year my mind wanders back to September 2020 when our dear friend Seán Hurley went to his eternal reward. We still miss his distinctive voice as he aired his weekly Kerrywide programme.
Seán was hugely proud of his Radio Kerry work and we eagerly awaited his introduction every night to see what he had in store for us. He had a huge range of interests which brought him in contact with people who loved music, whether it was traditional, folk or country. He was delighted to be invited to rambling houses throughout Kerry. He simply loved meeting people.
My lasting memory of Seán Hurley was seeing him on the streets of Killarney with a microphone in hand seeking out that special interview. Sometimes he was the first reporter on the scene of an important incident or, perhaps, spotting a celebrity in disguise.
He could turn up anywhere seeking an interview but, it must be said, he was always very courteous and dressed impeccably.
The first time I worked with Seán Hurley was back in 2008 when he recorded a rambling house special in Darby O’Gills House Hotel in Lissivigeen. It was there that I saw the serious side of Seán as he prepared thoroughly for the recording. Nothing was left to chance. The biggest problem was that the participants that were taking part did not understand what was involved.
There he met and recorded many local people who told their stories, sang a song or played a musical instrument. Seán was in his element as he interacted with many of the characters who were up for a bit of craic. Sadly, a huge number of these people are no longer with us but we have Seán Hurley’s audio tapes and photographs to remind us of that great night.
In 2010 Lissivigeen Community Association, in conjunction with local national school children and Radio Kerry, organised a two-part programme titled The Spirit of Lissivigeen: Bridging the Generations and all the hard work that went into making great news was rewarded when Seán Hurley won a coveted PPI award.
In 2011 Seán came to the assistance of newly formed Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone, creating awareness of Motor Neurone Disease as the group organised fundraising events to raise much-needed funds to pay the wages of specialist nurses, provide special medical equipment and fund home visits.
Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone was a beneficiary of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle in 2014 and Seán Hurley was there assisting us and creating much needed awareness of the terrible disease.
Seán made many more programmes including the very popular 150th celebration of Lissivigeen National School which we have very fond memories of but, as said already, many of those people who had great stories to tell Seán that night in Lissivigeen are no longer with us though our archives have recorded the event.
In 2012 Seán Hurley made his way to O’Connell’s public house in Ballydesmond to record stories handed down by relatives of some people who travelled on the ill-fated Titanic liner. This is the same public house where an American wake took place 100 years previously.
There that night, people told stories that were handed down to them by relatives of some of the people who attended the American wake before leaving for the port of Cobh to make their way to the new world to make their fortunes. It is worth stating that many tears were shed that night showing that the tragedy was still a raw topic.
Later, we boarded a coach, along with Seán Hurley, made our way to Cobh to be told the Titanic story and all the people who had connections to the ill-fates ship’s passengers were afforded the freedom of Cobh.
One person travelling with us was the late Jackie the Farmer O’Sullivan, the man from Ballaugh Hill, who was celebrating his 100th birthday. I can still see Seán in that boat with all of us on board making our way out to Roche’s Point from where the Titanic set sail. He was interviewing Jackie the Farmer who revealed that he was after cutting seven birthday cakes already but there was talk that there was another surprise cake cutting later this evening.
Soon Seán made the eagerly awaited two-part Radio Kerry programme which was very well received.
In 2020 when Covid-19 was all around us and no programmes being made, Seán decided to re-broadcast this Titanic programme he had made in 2012. He was completely surprised by the huge response to the story that time round.
He figured out it must be the earlier time slot that suited people. Everyone now wanted to know more about the Titanic tragedy and he was really thrilled.
One night I received a text message from Seán to say that his programme was nominated for an IMRO award to add to his PPI accolade. I believe this was his last text posted as later that night Seán Hurley passed on to his heavenly home.
These are just a few of my memories to share with you all. I hope I have brought you down memory lane with thoughts of the man with the distinctive voice. Four years on, his presence is still felt and his wonderful voice lingers on.
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