Edward ("Eddie") James Mac Flynn
Former general practitioner Dungiven, County Derry (b 8 June 1914; q Dublin 1939; BAO (National University of Ireland, Galway 1939), DPH (Queen’s University, Belfast, 1941), JP), d 7 April 2006.
A native of Magherafelt, County Derry, Edward James Mac Flynn ("Eddie") studied at St Patrick’s College, Armagh, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, University College Dublin, and Queen’s University, Belfast.
In University College Dublin, he enrolled in the Regiment of Pearse, which was then the college army reserve unit, and briefly considered joining the Medical Corps full time on qualifying in 1939 at the outbreak of the second world war.
While working as a junior registrar at the Mater Hospital in Belfast in 1940 he carried out volunteer duties with the ARP (Air Raid Precautions) during the Blitz, transporting casualties to temporary morgues in the city. This harrowing work was immortalised in Brian Moore’s book The Emperor of Ice Cream–Moore’s father being senior surgeon in the Mater at that time.
After a period working in England and Northern Ireland, Eddie returned to his native County Derry in 1944 and commenced general practice in Dungiven. This coincided with the birth of the NHS, of which he was a great supporter. He served the people of Dungiven and surrounding areas for a period of over 35 years and carried out his extensive obstetrics duties in those years at the Roe Valley Hospital in Limavady.
He continued school medical clinics in Dungiven and Derry until his final retirement to Limavady in 1985.
Eddie was very much involved in the community and was a councillor on Limavady Rural District Council, serving as its chairman for over 20 years. This was at a time when the replacement of substandard housing and the provision of basic sanitary services were being addressed post-war and he took a very personal interest in all aspects of these programmes.
He ran for nomination as a candidate for parliament at Stormont in 1964. He also served on Londonderry County Council and sat on numerous library, health, and education committees; acted as assistant coroner for the Barony of Keenaught and was appointed a justice of the peace in 1968.
He was honorary medical officer to various local clubs in Dungiven and was an active member of the Roe Valley Gun Club. His involvement in medical politics saw him serve as BMA chairman in County Derry for a period in the 1970s representing his colleagues in general practice throughout the county.
In retirement he joined his local "Probus" branch, becoming president in 1999 and greatly enjoying the company of fellow retired professionals at their many lunches and outings. He was particularly proud that at the age of 90 his driving licence was extended for a further five years and he could continue his local forays and keep up social contacts in his beloved south County Derry
Eddie had a deep sense of history and a truly encyclopaedic memory; he was "a purveyor of trivia" as described by himself, loved poetry and the classics, and read extensively.
After a short illness, Eddie, in his own words, was "overtaken by a melancholy event" and died in Altnegelvin Hospital on 7 April 2006.
Eddie is survived by his wife of 61 years, Claire, whom he met as a nurse in the Mater Hospital, and his children, Liam, Geraldine (who followed in his medical footsteps), Rory, and Nuala. He will also be sadly missed by his 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. [R L Carson, Rory E J Mac Flynn]