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A special son remembered in personal memoir

Thursday, 03 July 2008

IN 1997, Rory Mahon died tragically at the age of 30. Now more than 10 years after his death, his father, Michael, from Santry, has self-published a book in memory of his special son.
Simply titled ‘Rory’, Michael’s book is full of little anecdotes about his son’s all too short life, which was interrupted by numerous visits to various hospitals due to his epilepsy.
The stories, told with great clarity by his father, recall some very funny moments in Rory’s life and how he had a very positive effect on those around him.
Michael said that despite Rory’s problems, he was very popular with everyone.
“He could be annoying at times, but could make people laugh and help them to forget their own worries,” he stated.
Sadly, Michael’s wife of 50 years, Kay, died last year and the book is dedicated to her memory.
The couple had ensured that Rory – one of six of children - would go through life in as normal a manner as was possible.
“We agreed to do our best for him and to make his life as happy within the constraints that his condition imposed,” said Michael.
“In this we were helped by family, neighbours and friends, and also some very special people such as the Dublin taxi drivers (Michael is a retired taxi driver), staff at St Michael’s House, the various doctors and nurses in the numerous hospitals Rory attended and by individuals like Joan Duffy and the late Lady Valerie Goulding.”
From an early age, Rory was getting up to all sorts of mischief and had to be closely watched.
When he was a toddler in St Vincent’s Hospital he once turned on all the taps in an upstairs bathroom and left them running.
One day he knew his mother was in the local shopping centre with her sister and got her name called out over the public address system.
Kay thought something was seriously wrong and rushed to the information desk to find Rory waiting with a big smile on his face.
He said he knew she was there and he was just looking for a ‘fiver’ to buy something. His mother was so relieved that nothing was wrong she gave it to him.
Rory was a very good swimmer but one glorious summer’s day at the ‘Forty Foot’ Michael thought tragedy had struck.
“We were having a great time when I momentarily took my eyes off Rory,” explained Michael.
“When I looked back he was gone. I got a terrible shock as I thought he had taken a seizure.
“I dived down into the water as deep as I could go until I had to surface gasping for breath.
“I went down again looking for Rory and when I surfaced the second time, I saw him standing on the rocks laughing at me.
“The relief was so great that I could not get angry with him. The joke was on me.”
All the proceeds from the book are going to St Michael’s House and since the launch two weeks ago in Whitehall, e1,000 has been made for the organisation so far.
Michael told Northside People he was overwhelmed with the response.
“There was an absolutely fantastic turnout,” he said.
“It was way beyond my expectations. The people came from all over the place; it was a great night.
“A lot of people knew Rory and remembered him with fondness. Indeed, I was told so many more stories about him on the night, I could have filled another 20 pages.”
Michael is now appealing for someone to publish his book.
“That would be a real bonus,” he said.
“All the profits after the costs would go to St Michael’s House.”
It took Michael nine years to consider writing the memoir because the memories were too painful.
However, coming up to 10th anniversary of Rory’s death, he was determined to do it and the result is a very entertaining read about the escapades of a young man who had a difficult life due to his illness.
Michael would particularly like to thank Louis O’Flaherty for editing the book and Clíona O’Flaherty for providing the artwork. He would also like to thank those who attended and helped with the launch.
*If anyone would like to purchase Michael Mahon’s book, ‘Rory’ (minimum donation e5) or publish it, he can be contacted on 8421405.

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