Tribute to the late Evelyn Carolan, Castlebar and Australia

By Tom Gillespie

A CEREMONY celebrating the life of the late Evelyn Carolan (nee McDonnell), St. Bridget’s Crescent, Castlebar, took place in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar, following her death in Tasmania, Australia.

One of Evelyn's first jobs in Castlebar was working in John Durcan's chemist on Market Square, and from there to vet Peter Ryan, Spencer Street, until he retired, and then to Station Road to Geoffrey Burke’s.

Evelyn left Castlebar in February 1987 for Australia (Perth) with her husband Pete Carolan and their daughter Lorraine.

She worked for West Australian State Government, Department of Housing. Later she worked for the Federal Australian Government, the National Native Title Tribunal.

Evelyn had retired to Tasmania with her partner Erwin Winkler. There they enjoyed time with Evelyn’s second cousin Johny Brinklow from McHale Road.

At the celebration of her life her nephew Daire Conway gave the following eulogy:

Born and raised in St. Bridget’s Crescent, Castlebar, or 14 as known to all the family, by the late Johnny and Bridie. Johnny and Bridie raised a wonderful daughter in Evelyn, surrounded by her loving siblings the late Mary Hynes, Hughie, John, Paul, the late Catherine Fitzsimons, Deirdre, Ashling and Loretta.

Evelyn's achievements in life started at an early age in her local national school participating in different activities such as swimming and basketball, but excelling over the childhood years in Irish dancing, picking up plenty of medals.

When the time came to start working, Evelyn was not shy, and through employment in the town at different roles, Evelyn made great friendships that hold strong bonds to this day.

Back in those days there was a car full of maybe six or seven great friends that would go on many a road trip around the county, from Pontoon to Westport, enjoying days out while also gatecrashing the odd wedding.

Evelyn spent some time in Rowan Drive. It was there with Pete, Evelyn started a family, becoming a proud mother, bringing daughter Lorraine into the world. Not long after that, Australia came a calling.

Over 40 years ago, Evelyn embraced a new chapter in her life, not easy bringing a new family across the world. Evelyn did not shy away from it and built a career down under, to provide for her family.

Despite the distance, Evelyn remained deeply connected to her family roots. This was the late '80s when letter writing was still a strong way of communication. Brother John took a notion to write to Evelyn checking in on his sister. A while later John received post, the same envelope came back, the same letter came back. Evelyn had written on the back of the pages, saving on the costs. Evelyn did leave a personal stamp in the envelope. To John’s surprise a half-cut pound note saying he would receive the other half when he wrote again.

Her parents started a trend that lives to this day - family holidays to Enniscrone. A place that means so much to all the family and Evelyn, where some of the most cherished times were spent, filled with laughter and joy, even when the rain poured.

Over the years Evelyn made many trips home to share wonderful times celebrating family weddings and parties. The most recent trip last year was with her partner Erwin, to her niece Elaine’s wedding.

While Evelyn loved coming back to her homeland, there was always an open invitation and welcome to Australia. Many family members and friends made the trip.

Family meant everything to Evelyn, most importantly her daughter Lorraine. Evelyn always spoke of Lorraine with pride and joy that could light up any room. The love Evelyn had for her daughter Lorraine was untouchable. Seeing her daughter achieving in life, develop a career, getting married to Tom and starting a family meant the world to Evelyn. Becoming a grandmother to Teddy and Archie was a role she cherished deeply. The ‘ould granny’ title did not sit well with Evelyn.

Evelyn wrote this before her passing:

Too many short dreams

‘Seems so long ago we rambled fields, playing hide and seek all through Johnnie McHale’s land.

Running by the river chasing rabbits, nine kids easily amused.

Over through the old graveyard, reading the names of those long departed, wondering if we knew them, were they related, did they play and swim with the freedom we had?

But no alas not.

Their free time was spent working the land, building the crops and infrastructure that would become our history.

The history that would be told sitting beside the fireplace, stories of hunger, sadness, loss and emigration.

This emigration still happening across this beautiful country of ours.

But along with it comes happiness from joyful moments - swimming the lakes and working the fields and roads.

Dreams good and bad, missing loved ones, here and beyond, and hoping someday some will return to their beloved country.’

Evelyn will be sadly missed by partner Erwin Winkler, her daughter Lorraine and her father Pete Carolan. She is also survived why her two grandsons, Teddy and Archie, son-in-law Tom, her brothers Hugh (Castlebar), John (Tullamore) and Paul (Tipperary), sisters Deirdre Conway (Castlebar), Ashling (Castlebar) and Loretta Dunne (Donegal).

She was predeceased by her parents Johnny and Bridie and her sisters Mary and Catherine.