'Meitheal’: As strong as ever in Mayo
by Auld Stock
THERE are times now and again when the people of Mayo are entitled to stick out their chests and boast they are proud of their county and the people who live here.
I felt such a moment when I witnessed the documentary ‘Meitheal’ on Radio Telefis Eireann.
The documentary dealt with the aftermath of the shocking helicopter crash off the north coast of Mayo five years ago which resulted in the deaths of four young people.
Two bodies of those who died in the crash have been recovered, two remain missing.
The documentary, produced by local cameraman Fergus Sweeney, told in simple language how the people of North Mayo came together and provided meals, shelter and other amenities for those engaged in the search for the missing bodies.
Local people were joined by people from different parts of our country in a wonderful effort.
In olden times, when the harvest was being saved, neighbours and friends rallied around and helped each other, stooked the oats, dug and pitted potatoes and saved the hay.
This exercise was known as the meitheal.
The title of Fergus Sweeney’s documentary was ‘Meitheal,’ and never was a title more appropriate.
Those who contributed to the film were articulate and spoke with compassion and feeling about the loss of the five young people killed in the helicopter crash.
It was stirring stuff, full of emotion and grief.
I must admit, I felt some of that emotion myself.
As a Mayo person, I felt immensely proud of those in the film, young and old.
It was the people of Mayo at their best, rallying around in a time of great suffering, displaying compassion and understanding for the unfortunate people who had lost loved ones in a shocking crash.
People came from different parts of Ireland to play their parts in a heroic effort.
Well done to Fergus Sweeney and his dedicated team on a fantastic production.
They proved the spirit of the ‘Metheal’ is as strong as ever in County Mayo,
Thank God we still have many genuine heroes and heroines in Mayo.