Loss of a
great character
CARLOW has lost another great character following the death of
Fianna Fáil Councillor Enda Nolan on Easter Sunday morning.
Finance Minister Brian Cowen, a life-long friend, put it best on
Monday night when he said that even though Enda didn’t take
himself too seriously he was very serious about the work he did.
When I think back, the man who sat in the council chamber
arguing the toss with all comers was a completely different man to
the one you met in the corridor or out socially. One man was all
on for getting what he could for those less fortunate than
himself, be that housing, medical cards, grants for this or that,
you name it. The other man was one who could keep you entertained
for hours on end, reeling off story after story about other great
characters he had come across on his travels.
I remember the time, over 20 years ago, when he was first
elected a Councillor, to him it was only official confirmation for
the work he had been doing since childhood. After all, politics
ran in his blood. From the time he could talk he was representing
people, he was always a great man to contact at election time.
While others carried facts and figures in books and could find out
the information for you it didn’t matter what the year, all you
had to do was ask Enda and he could reel off the information for
you. At a count centre all he needed was a few minutes to get his
bearings and he could forecast the eventual outcome to within a
handful of votes.
Thankfully, I had the good sense to stop the car when I saw him
walking down College Street a month ago. I hadn’t seen him for a
while and on getting into the car he immediately started telling
one yarn after another. I enquired about his own health but he
brushed that aside and was more anxious to relive old times, tell
stories of other characters and comment on the changes taking
place or which needed to take place around the town.
Before I knew it one of the most pleasant hours of my life had
slipped by and I reluctantly had to say goodbye to Enda. I wished
him a speedy recovery and said I looked forward to our next
get-together. But that was not to be. I’m sorry now I didn’t stay
a little longer in his company.
Source:
Carlow Nationalist Wednesday, April 11,
2007
Best Rally
driver EVER!
Carlow Car Club suffered a major loss recently with the death
of one of their most successful members, Enda Nolan.
Nolan was one of the most naturally gifted drivers to grace the
National and Tarmac Championship in recent times. In fact one of
the last events he took part in was the Galway International
Rally. With his co-driver Michael Lyster, he had a remarkable top
five finish in that event two months ago.
He was at his best in the early 1990’s, driving the famous
green Sierra Cosworth. Some of his best achievements were in the
Cork 20 in ’92 he finished third overall. The same year the
dynamic combination of Enda and Lyster came fourth in the
Killarney Rally of the Lakes.
Posted by his daughter Katie Nolan-O'Callaghan
on www.bedo.com