Jackie Dolan: an appreciation
Monday 27 October was the first anniversary of the death of
Jackie Dolan, a founding member of Saoirse (Scotland) and one of
the organisers of the Scottish Committee for Peace in Ireland -
the group which brought Gerry Adams to Glasgow in 1995. Jackie
died at the age of 38 after a short but brave battle against the
cancer which she thought she had beaten some years ago, but which
re-emerged in February 1996.
During her funeral oration, Jackie was described, in the words of
the Sioux Indians, as a ``real human being'', and that's exactly
what she was. Those of us who worked closely with her during her
years of political activity in the trade union movement and in
the Irish solidarity movement in Scotland were struck by her
enthusiasm and her capacity to encourage others to contribute
fully to political life. Her great enthusiasm also extended to
Celtic Football Club, of which she was a life-long supporter and
at whose ground she met her future husband Joe - she was 14 and
he was 16. She became one of the first female supervisors of
stewards at Celtic Park - a position she held until very shortly
before her death. She was also, for several years, the only
female delegate to the local Trades Council and was an active
supporter of many trade union struggles throughout the years.
One of the proudest moments of Jackie's life was when she made a
presentation to Gerry Adams at the Go for Peace public meeting in
Govan in 1995. She happily shared a gulp of whisky from the
inscribed silver quaich (friendship cup) with the President of
Sinn Féin. It was a memory she was to talk about up to the end.
Jackie's commitment to the prisoners was total. Even when she was
ill, Jackie would sit at home and make up hundreds of green
ribbons for Saoirse events. In her final days, she asked Joe to
make sure that a small bequest was used in some way for the
prisoners. Out of that bequest was purchased a commemorative
badge for all those prisoners who have served time in the
gaeltacht wing in Long Kesh. The badge, a gold circle, enclosing
a small lark against a barbed wire fence, was duly commissioned,
and presented by her husband, Joe, to Bik MacFarlane earlier this
year. By now all those entitled to wear the badge should have
received it. By all accounts the badge is very much appreciated,
indeed treasured, by those who have received it.
Those of us who had the pleasure and privilege to know and work
with Jackie hope it will be a fitting reminder of a brave and
much-loved comrade whose short life was spent in the service of
others. It will also be, in some small way, a comfort to her
husband Joe and her daughter Jenny that she should be remembered
in such a way. Our heartfelt condolences and sympathy are
extended to them on the occasion of her anniversary.
It is impossible to sum up a whole life in a few words, so maybe
it would be best to end by quoting again from her funeral
oration. Jackie was the living proof that ``guid gear comes in
sma' bulk''.
By Jeanette Findlay
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