The funeral of Charlie McAteer, St. Bridget’s Terrace in Kerrykeel will take place on Friday. The Requiem Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church is at midday. Charlie passed away at his home on Tuesday. He was President of Fanad Gaels and a founding member of the club in 1982. Charlie was a Fanad man, a family man, a GAA man… and a Blaney man all his life. His big life’s interest was his passion for the GAA: on the road to Croke Park for the memorable Donegal games - the grandchildren on tour, All Ireland Final Days, Clones for the Ulster Finals and at home in MacCumhaill Park. These were the big days out: homage to the game itself, a pilgrimage for the fans. Dreams reaching for the stars. Memories to last forever… But all roads led back to Portsalon and Fanad Gaels in Páirc Uí Shiadhail. This was where the local youngsters got that passion and pride to wear the club colours: to train and be selected for the team one day. That’s the dream - for the parish it’s pure magic. As a family home, McAteer’s has been an open door over these fifty years. And when news of his illness got about, hundreds of visitors, friends and former colleagues came to call - to reminisce of days gone forever and to wish the family well.
