I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Phil Mullen of Philadelphia, the grandson of 1916 revolutionary figure Joe McGarrity of Carrickmore after whom the local Sinn Féin Cumann is named.
Phil was very proud of his grandfather and was immensely proud of his Irish heritage and roots in Tyrone.
We were delighted to host Phil and his friends in Carrickmore in November 2023. We brought him to the McGarrity homestead in Creggandeveskey and Inishatieve, visited the McGarrity family grave, met many well wishers and attended mass.
That meant a lot to Phil, a lifelong, devout Catholic who was incredibly proud to receive a Carrickmore jersey which he subsequently wore with pride.
Even though I only met Phil two years ago I feel like I have known him a lifetime. We kept in touch at least once a month and recently he sent me a picture of the most recent addition to his clann, a baby grandson. He was a devoted family man.
Last summer, my son Donnchadh and I stayed with Phil and his family in Philadelphia. He and his wife Rosemarie were the warmest of hosts and it was uplifting to meet other members of his family and learn more about the McGarrity clann in Philadelphia. ROOTS: Phil at the McGarrity homestead in Creggandeveskey, Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone
We attended mass in the Cathedral where Phil's uncle Monsignor Peter McGarrity of Carrickmore married Joe and his wife Kathryn in June 1911. We visited the original homestead where Joe and the family lived and we spent most of a day going through Joe McGarrity's original material and personal collection in Villanova University.
Phil had a deep love for Ireland and his passion for his grandfather's homeland deepened after his visit to the parish in 2023. I know he wanted to return again to deepen that connection.
I am privileged to have met Phil and played a small part in reconnecting him with his roots. I am glad we became friends but just wish it could have been for longer.
Thoughts and prayers for his wife Rosemarie, his children, grandchildren, his siblings including Regina, Deirdre and Pete.
Rest In Peace, mo chara Phil.
Declan McAleer is a Sinn Féin MLA for West Tyrone.
