Peadar O’Dowd, historian and author, passed away peacefully on 3 January 2024 in University Hospital, Galway after a short illness. He is sadly missed by his wife, Mary, his siblings and other family members and friends. In 1978, Peadar became the founder and first editor of St Patrick’s Parish Magazine. This has now evolved into Galway’s Own and is possibly the longest running magazine of its type in the country. He also contributed articles to every issue since its foundation.
Peadar gave a lifetime of service to education, history and archaeology in the city. He began his teaching in Glenamaddy in the late 1960s. Peadar then joined the staff of the Regional Technical College (Atlantic Technological University) as a business studies lecturer. Peadar was involved in a number of historical societies. As President of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, he was instrumental in having many historic and archaeological sites preserved. He travelled throughout the county and, indeed, further afield recording monuments, some of which have now vanished from the landscape. He led many archaeological and historical tours for societies across the country. These were complemented by his walking tours and illustrated lectures of Galway city and county.
Peadar also promoted history and archaeology among young people. He was an author of note, with many titles to his name including such classics as Old and New Galway, Vanishing Galway, Down by the Claddagh and many more titles. He is also a weekly columnist with the old Connacht Sentinel and Galway City Tribune for over thirty years; and did so until the very end of his life. His articles ran into thousands.
Apart from all of this, Peadar was an outstanding angler. He spent many years fishing on Lough Corrib and won numerous competitions. He represented Ireland in angling on a number of occasions. Furthermore, he had a great love of nature, and could mimic bird songs, which attracted them into the beautiful garden developed by both himself and Mary at the back of their home in Bohermore. Peadar was also an excellent badminton player; partnered by his wife Mary. He was an all-year-round swimmer with a natural ability in the water. His talent also extends to the world of art, with the creation of some wonderful artistic illustrations which have been published over the years.
Thanks for the memories – God rest you Peadar!