Two matters are worthy of mention today, one educational and one cultural.

During the Christmas holiday period, we lost John Quinn, who was a teacher, educationalist, producer at RTÉ, writer and filmmaker. John Quinn was a gentleman and was marvellous company. He was probably best known for what was not so much an autobiography as a chronicle of his childhood and growing up, Good Night Ballivor, I'll Sleep in Trim: A Childhood Memoir. A native of Ballivor, he was the son of the local sergeant and a proud Meath man. In fact, Seán Boylan, the famed football manager from County Meath, had John co-author his magnum opus on his work in the GAA. It would be remiss of us in the Seanad not to recall the life and work of this man, in both education and broadcasting. Of the wonderful programmes he made, probably the most famous was his Jacob's Award-winning programme on the life and times of Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl. John did not quite make it to fourscore years and ten, but he was not far off. It would be nice to record in the House today that his great contribution to Irish education will not be forgotten.

The second issue I raise is a small matter of culture and sporting prowess. Senator Kennelly mentioned the prowess of people in the Kingdom. It would be remiss of me as a representative from Waterford not to draw attention to the exploits of Ballygunner GAA last Sunday and to congratulate the team on its second all-Ireland hurling club title in four years. I also acknowledge the stout-hearted men from Loughrea GAA who made such a contest of the match, which was a great advertisement for the game. It takes two great teams to make a great final. Well done to Ballygunner and gura fada buan é a scéal sa todhchaí.

There might be a few votes in Loughrea for Senator Conway.