JIM DALY TRIBUTES, PAGE 1

Jim with Katie McCarthy, 2005 (photo Paddy Dwan)

Its a sad day in Waterford. Jim was my mentor from a young age when itcame to writing. I attended his workshops over 10 years ago and to this day I keep with me what he advised. I had the privilege in actingin 2 of his early plays and doing sound for his last production of " I can hear the night birds sing". A beautiful script, that wasbeautifully staged. There will not be one person who knew Jim thatwill not share a story of his subtlety in adding to their lives. Mythoughts are with his family, they as wonderful as he. May his memory be as strong as his presence.

Anna Jordan

My memories of Jim Daly:I never worked directly with Jim on any projects, but back in the early ninties he would always drop into the gallery in Garter Lane Theatre where I hung the exhibitions for many years. Jim would be working on the lighting upstairs for the upcoming play, but he always took time out to call into the gallery for a chat with me about the current exhibition. His enthusiasm for visual art was very evident, and just one strand in his zest for life. He was just such a nice guy. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing.

Anthony Costine

Ollie: sadness at this end too re Jim. One of life's glorious amateurs who became, over a lifetime, gloriously professional, yet maintained his good hmour and joie de vivre. How do u replace the irreplacable ones? If he was here right now he's be sympathetic to our grief but i guess would soon be wondering: 'Who's gonna light the next show?' I know he'll b missed.

Sincerely: John O'Regan

The arts community in Waterford owe a huge debt of gratitude to this man.

When I think of Jim, I always remember as a young child, this tall bearded man with sunglasses cycling through Ballybeg Drive and that image always stood out in my mind. Who was this man? What did he do?

I did not know him at that time but I did know he did some work in the theatre as my neighbour Nick Kavanagh informed me one day. When I met him as a young Waterford Youth Arts member on the production of "The Star Turns Red" during 1995, my thoughts of that dark mysterious figure revealed a warm and generous man who spoke softly and who was always full of encouragement. He always had time for you, irrespective of where you were from or what you did.

Indeed, his love of the craft of theatre and lighting was something that left a huge impression on countless teenagers, including myself, who ventured far and wide to realise their dream of a career in the arts. His wisdom touched us all in many ways, whether it was his stance on politics, his love of Samuel Beckett and Arthur Miller in the literary world, his admiration for the poetic genius of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan where he would talk of "the marriage of melody and lyric".

He was possessed by the fortunes and misfortunes of our Deise hurlers over the years and always had a positive spin on things. Whenever you would meet him after our all Ireland exodus, there was always the infamous line, "maybe next year", and Jim would smoke his pipe and in that cloud of smoke, the dream of Liam McCarthy on the River Suir was a reality.

There is not an organisation that Jim did not work with. He was always a supporter of the arts in our city.

He was liked by all and will always remain a true inspiration to me. When I think of the great teachers in my life, I think Jim contributed enormously to my education and development as a young person and I am not the only one who would hold this view.

Over the last few years, I feel privileged that I had the honour of his friendship. Whenever I had any difficulty with college work or questions on drama or poetry, I would always go to his shed in Glencarra and he would welcome you and then open the mind to endless possibilities. It is probably appropriatre that Jim was a lighting designer and my feeling is that a light in Waterford theatre has gone out.

He will be sorely missed.

Robert Browne

I was lucky enough to get involved with Waterford Youth Drama as a young girl and fortunate enough to meet a group of people who would have a profound affect on my life. Jim was one of these amazing people. From my involvement in his creative writing classes I learned, not only skills about how to write, but also to appreciate the beauty in the world around me. I learned how to look out a window and really see what was out there. He taught me how to appreciate everyday objects with every sense; to see the memories they hold. I'll never forget him citing Eminem as an example of poetry in the hope of inspiring a group of teenagers who didn't seem to appreciate Bob Dylan as much as he did. Jim had a special knack for making everything seem accessible and possible.

Later on I worked with Jim on Snap'd where I saw him take our childhood memories and an old family photograph taken on Woodstown beach and create a beautiful, haunting script. Throughout the process he was always willing to explain things and help all us young actors. Everything he did he did with all of his ability. Whether he was listening, writing, lighting or teaching. It was one of his many great qualities (although it did get annoying when you were standing on a stage being lit and waiting for him to get the lights just right!).

I have many memories of Jim. Some are from those writing classes in the Manor school, some from those days of Snap'd and all the other plays I was involved with that he did the lighting design for, many more from the lighting box in Garter Lane and, of course, standing outside Garterlane chatting to Jim.

I just want to say thank you for everything he taught me and for all the memories.

Claire Hennebry

We were all devastated at the very sad news we received this morning, even though we were expecting it, it's hard to come to terms with it when it comes to pass. Today is the day that Waterford has lost one of it's great citizens. Here are just a small few thoughts that ran through my head about Jim when I heard of his death.

I have known Jim Daly a long number of years across a lot of divides. Jim's unassuming character and great knowledge coupled together with his freedom to give to any one that asked anything of him at any time can never be surpassed. He was a "Gentle Giant" of a man. The support and encouragement that he gave to young people starting off in the world of theatre cannot be quantified and is immeasurable, he was always only a phone call away, and Bernie excelled at the job of keeping Jim's diary, so that there would be no double bookings!

My first introduction to Jim was when he and Bernie were "going out, Bernie was "a neighbours child" as the saying goes. Later on Jim and myself shared the canvass trail together in the name of Labour, where we fought many a hard battle on the doorsteps in search of votes at election time! (the socialist comes out in us all at one time or another!!) When I came to Garter Lane a long number of years ago I got to know Jim as this gentle giant who exuded calmness on the numerous Red Kettle and other company productions that he designed and operated the LX on here in the theatre. All us theatre practitioners know how fraught things can get when it's getting close to opening night and individuals can be known to have hissy fits at times. My greatest memory of Jim is in the midst of any turmoil Jim would go and sit on the steps just outside the front door where the two lamp standards and wall were before the renovations took place at Garter Lane, Jim would sit there with his mug of tea (as all good techies do) and pack his pipe and light up and have a good long smoke while things were sorting themselves out inside! a true diplomat if ever there was one. I can still smell the waft of his pipe. All down the years Jim and Bernie were synonymous as a great Red Kettle double act and as the children grew up they also joined the act, Jim in LX and as a member of the Board, Bernie and the girls in FOH. Jim had a great love of music and Leonard Cohen was one of Jim's idols. I remember well recounting to Jim the story about the time that Cohen had played Nolan Park in Kilkenny, where by chance I had got to shake Cohen's hand, Jim thought this was great and enthralled me with his knowledge about Cohen, this led me to the conclusion that the wrong person had got the handshake. Another great love of Jim's was Waterford Hurling and the hurlers quest for All Ireland glory, unfortunately the dream was not to be in Jim's lifetime, but I know when the league and championship start again in 2009 Jim will be leading the battle call of "Up The Deise".

We salute and applaud you Jim.

I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to Bernie and family and all the extended Daly and Cunningham families on their immense loss.

Ar dheis Dea gur raibh a ainm.

Lilly O'Reilly, Garter Lane Arts Centre

Waterford has lost a gentleman, and a true talent. I suppose like everyone who knew Jim, they will remember him for their own reasons. I will remember him for his generosity of spirit and his sincerity.

I remember one short conversation with him when he lit “John Roberts Square” for Bowler Hat. He congratulated me on the work and said that he enjoyed it, but most of all he loved the fact that there were no swear words in it!

The thing about that is I had written the play consciously, intentionally without swearwords, and Jim was the only person to comment on that smallest of things.

Jim as a theatre practitioner, is summed up for me by this. He noticed and cared about the work, whatever it was, it mattered.

He will be greatly missed by all and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family.

Pat Daly

I have had a heavy heart since hearing the news. We were so lucky to have had him among us. Knowing him from when I was a youth in Telecom we found ways to keep ourselves sane in the world of that era and we were to follow our dreams thereafter.

Jemser was a true star. He gave and gave and gave and we loved him.

Dylan and Cohen, theatre and literature, Waterford and hurling. These were his passions but the greatest of all for him were the people in his life. He would never forget that.

I was telling Becky last night that we used to have lively debates years ago and Jim was, of course the ardent socialist.  One day to wind him up, I asked, "So is Socialism about sharing everthing?" "Yeh, more or less," was his answer. I picked up his pipe and said, "So you don't mind if I have a puff off yer pipe?" "Eh, not if ya know what's good for ya!" And we laughed!

Bless you, Jim, cause you blessed us. Our thoughs are with you all.

Jim O'Meara

Jim was a member of Red Kettle from our inception in 1985 and his contribution to the development of all our work has been immense. He worked in a variety of production roles before finding his calling as a lighting designer where he illuminated the world premieres of many plays including among others Happy Birthday Dear Alice by Bernard Farrell, Jim Nolan’s The Guernica Hotel, Jimmy Murphy’s Kings of the Kilburn Highroad in Waterford, London and New York, Donal O Kelly’s Catalpa, The Queen and Peacock by Loughlin Deegan and many of Little Red Kettle’s plays including The Four Euclids of Squid and The Festival of Imagination and Wild Fancy in Waterford, Dublin, Galway and Japan. Jim also lit many of the classics of World Theatre including a beautiful design for Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. His great spirit will also be missed around the country where many of these plays toured – his comradeship with all of the theatre workers he worked with – where he shared (with his pipe and a large bottle) in debate on all the social, literary, hurling and creative issues of the day…The Everyman Palace in Cork always got in a crate of large bottles in the theatre bar in anticipation of Jim’s arrival!!

For many years also Jim held the chair of Red Kettle – repeatedly voted in to keep his position. He saw the company through an unprecedented growth and always believed in developing the company through a policy of consensus – often over-seeing meetings that lasted two days!! - bringing everybody with him on what was a remarkable journey. His great social conscience, natural human warmth, his love of learning, his belief in the value of the arts to all of our lives, his love of the underdog and his willingness and ability to share all of his talents and love to all of us that worked with him enlightened all our lives and helped shape the people and company that we have become.

– I know also that his plays touched the hearts and minds of the many young people that shared in bringing his work to the stage and indeed to the many of us that shared in that work as audience members.

He will be sadly missed by all of us that knew him – for the great quality of his work and especially for his great humanity, friendship and uplifting spirit.

Speaking of true socialists - there was a joke that went something like this - a conversation: so as a socialist, if you had two houses you'd give away one? - yes I would,   if you had two cars would you give one away? I would - if you had two bicycles would you give away one? ...well No No? why not? - well you see I have two Bicycles....

The thing is Jim Daly had two bicycles and he gave me one of them...when he got his super bike with good gears he gave me his High Nelly, which I cycled for many years. - a great friend and a true socialist.

Ben Hennessy

I knew of rather than knew Jim Daly directly but would have seen the work (even some of the invisible bits over the years) and was very sorry to receive your message. You paint a deft pen picture of a special person.  --Martin Drury

Very sorry to hear this sad news. WYA’s production of ‘I Can Hear the Night-Birds Sing’ is one of my highlights in the Irish youth drama canon. I’m so glad to have seen it.  --Gaye Tanham

We had heard the truly sad news and are shocked to think that Jim is gone. His influence and personality spread throughout the country and we were lucky to have his support when he lit many Barnstorm shows. An abiding image is of Jim with pipe, arms crossed, head tilted with eyes on the rig "just thinking...". Our sympathies go out to his family and friends, and to all his colleagues that will miss him dearly.  --Philip Hardy and all at Barnstorm

Jim was a man who meant a lot to all of us who knew him throughout the years and I just wanted to say thank you for all the memories that your tribute page reminded me of. Surely there is no better way to send off such a gent. It was lovely to see how many peoples' lives he has touched in so many ways, sometimes I just think it's a pity these things are done after the person has passed away. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks a million.  --Caroline Stone

My days with Waterford Youth Drama in the mid 90's will remain some of the best days of my life. I attribute this to the wonderful group of people who were charged with our care, none more so than Jim Daly. When I think of Jim, I think of a man with a tremendous desire to educate, and an equal dose of patience. I think of the comforting smell of his pipe, and a wonderful sense of humour. Most of all though, I'll remember the man on the bike with those shiny green tracksuit bottoms tucked into his socks. All the best Jimser.  --Neil White

We often hear of an actors on-stage 'presence', with Jim his presence could be felt as soon as the house lights went down, though he may not have been in the building. I'm sure this will continue to be the case.  --Stephen Walsh

Jim Daly's death is a huge loss to Waterford and the Arts, and a personal blow to myself. I had massive time for Jim, as a person and an artist. He was a true man of the people, and he had a way of making the ordinary seem extraordinary with his words. Jim scripted a play I worked on in Waterford Youth Drama. It is almost 10 years ago now, but I always considered Jim a friend and mentor. May he rest in peace.  --Mary Cate Smith

A m deeply sad and will miss Jim in so many ways and the major contribution he made to the Arts in Waterford. Somewhere in my heart I hope Jim has just gone up the ladder to repoint a lamp and I am left holding the ladder. With much respect to Bernie and his family.  --LIAM MURPHY

Sad sad news. jim will be sadly missed by all that had the pleasure to know and work with jim.god bless you jim. to all jims family sincere sympathy. rip.  --brian juckey collins, flaggylane productions

Jim was a value friend, a gentle giant, a tower of erudition, an encourager,a listener and a lovely, lovely man. A tremendous loss to young and old; to his beloved Bernie and family, I send my deepest sympathy.  -- Tony Guerin.

What a lovely, peaceful inspiring man Jim Daly was. His great heart and spirit touched many lives. Just sitting in his presence instilled a gentle calm. My deepest sympathy to his nearest and dearest. XXXX  --Eileen Kennedy

Jim Daly; an extraordinary and loveable man. He leave's an enormous volume of fantastic memories of which hundreds of friends, colleagues and family will cherish forever. Few people have such an indelible impact on a community. May he rest in peace.  --Gerry Forristal

Jim Daly was a man of extraordinary vision, for Jim could see the magic that surrounded him. More importantly though Jim took the time to explore it, nurture it and critically share it. The magic is still there of course but without Jim around many may find it that bit harder to see, what will not be forgotten however is that thanks to Jim many did. Thanks Jim for all the characters you brought that magic to in the Spraoi parades over the years. The field in Colligan will seem that bit wetter and that bit darker without you.  --Dermot Quinn

When I heard the news one thought filled my head. I'm standing on Garter Lane stage during a technical rehearsal (for which play I have no idea - Jim lit every one), holding position, waiting for the lights to be decided. The seats are in darkness, the theatre is warm, the air is filled with that beautiful pipe smell and Jim's calm, gentle voice reaches out to me from the darkness. That smell, that feeling and that voice combined to make one of the most powerful memories of my youth. Goodbye Jim and thank you xxx  --Linda Kavanagh

I was privileged to be in Jim's company on many occasions since coming to Waterford in 2001. I was struck by how proud he was of Waterford and its people, by his conviction that ordinary Waterford young people could do extraordinary things and that the arts were really for all! He gave an insight into a small group of thinkers and activists that he came of age with, who were part of most of the struggles for justice and for creativity over the last 40 years in Waterford. His stories were great, his commitment to his city and to his art were / are inspiring. He made me proud of Waterford. He is a huge loss. My heart goes out to Bernie and his family and to all of the people that he touched through his work.

Ned (Eamonn Stenson)

Paul Savage

I was so sorry to hear that Jim had passed on yesterday. I have very fond memories of a production of the ancient mariner that the youth drama did and of course the big man himself worked on that production. His lighting for that show was so beautiful, he caught the colours of the sea and the doomed mariner boat so well, he seem to understand what coleridge was trying to say, and showed it to us in colour and light. He was way ahead of us and he knew the poem inside out. He was such a quiet thoughtful man and had a great way of pointing you in the right direction. He once gave me some great words of wisdom that have stayed with me in my acting career ever since. The third night into the run of the mariner over a pint, he said to me 'Jesus keith that is a great job you are doing on the old mariner, but what I like most of all, in your performance is the subtle changes that happen every night'. He then went on to say, that is the way a really good actor works, always looking for ways to make each performance better and different with out making a mess of the play'. He then went back to drinking his bottle of Guinness and I didn't know how to reply. It was only a few years later when working on something, the penny dropped and I smiled and thought of Jim.

keith dunphy

Jim touched so many people and I have to say I am thrilled to have had him as a lighting designer, writer, teacher and a friend. There are certain people that have a tremendous and long lasting effect on others and will I have no doubt that the ripples that Jim started will continue far into the future. Jim and I shared many a debate,on music, writing,politics and religion and you often walked away shattered but entirely satisfied. Jim thought me to have a cool head when all the world seemed to be loosing theirs and to take the time to 'think' and not to rush ahead. I wish I had told Jim how much of an influence he has been on what I do and more importantly how I do it but sadly I have left this too late, these words, too late are probably my least two favourite words in the world. Jim's legacy will live on,through his writing and in all our memories.

I met Jim in 2001 and he has had a profound effect on my life as well as the ethos and philosophy of Stagecraft. As well as having lit over half a dozen of our shows, we performed two of his plays 'The Land of Stuff' and 'To Leap From Paradise', which I hold incredibly strong memories of. Jim will be sadly missed by us all. Condolences to Bernie and the kids as well as to all his friends and colleagues.

Shane Dempsey, Stagecraft, Clonmel

Like everyone I'm very saddened to hear fo Jims' death. My heart goes out to Bernie and his children. Many years ago when I was surely convinced that I was going to be an actress I was lucky enough to be cast in Red Kettles' first productions by Jim Nolan and thats where I got to know Jim. He was a great man and went on to become a great sharer of his considerable talents. We have lost touch over the years but whoever could forget his broad shoulders, big smile and that grip on the pipe. May he rest in peace - his was surely a sweet soul. He will be a great loss to Waterford.

Councillor Mary Roche, Waterford City Council

Patrick O'Sullivan

Alan Garvey

Having had Jim Daly as the lighting designer for practically every show as a young adult has meant that every lighting designer since suffered by comparison... now you arrive at the tech of any show and think, "Wait a minute! Where's the elegant, pipe smoking, giant of a man? Where is wisdom personified? Where is the poet? Where is the playwright? Where is Jim? Surely there's been some mistake..." but no, apparently he was a one off, apparently they don't all talk passionately about Bob Dylan whilst artfully filling a pipe and as a mere aside, beautifully lighting a show. That just isn't how it is elsewhere. We were spoilt having had the best of them first. I was lucky enough to have worked with him once more as an adult, so mine aren't just the memories of an easily impressed youth painted bright with nostalgia, but the recent recollection of my adult self. He was Theatre to me, he was Light.

Patrick Kavanagh