JIM DALY TRIBUTES, PAGE 2

Jim with Marcus Quinlin

I've tried to write this a few times and given up, as the sadness overcomes me. Even reading other peoples comments has me in bits.

I remember back to the early days of Waterford Youth Drama, and the frequent visits during rehearsals we would receive from a tall man with note pad and pencil, who would arrive on his bicycle and disappear as fast, as soon as the run was finished. I was always curious, who this man was, what he was writing and where he was off to in such a hurry. It's was only in the theatre that we would see the fruits of all that scribbling. I had no idea back then how well I'd get to know this man , how I'd travel the length and breath of the country with him, touring with Waterford Youth Drama or Red Kettle, usually on public transport, which suited neither me or him on account of our heights. How we'd share a few pints or a meal together after a days work done, finding the quietest pub that served Guinness, so we could unwind and relax and chat.

Years later, when I was working with Waterford Youth Drama, and especially around production time, I got to see a lot of Jim. We mullicked lights together, ran channels, focused, and all that while having an in depth chat. It was essential to Jims day and he wouldn't have it any other way. I saw too how that scribbling had turned itself in to a lighting plan, with numbers and more smaller neater scribbles beside certain lights. If you asked Jim a question about the plan or why he was using a certain light he would always take the time to answer. He always had the time to answer.

In the days before the smoking ban I remember how the sweet smell of the pipe smoke would fill the theatre as Jim plotted a show in to the wee small hours. After the smoking ban it was something he could never get away with, that same sweet smell betraying him. How a cup of tea would magically appear beside him, to steady the nerves as the director turned up the pressure. And I got to see the place that he was always rushing back to, the real job in the telecom. The little room in through the exchange, the calm eye in a noisy place.

I shared many a large bottle with Jim in the tap, sitting amongst Ollie, Rob Browne and others dissecting a play we'd seen and putting it back together in the way we would have written it. Every detail was up for discussion and points and counter points flew back and forth across the table. It was an essential part of the evening. All topics were discussed and nothing was off the cards. If it wasn't a play it was something, something we usually all had a different opinion about. I must say I was always a bit lost when the conversation swayed to Jims other love, Hurling. Maybe it was bad memories of my own bad hurling on the Mount Sion pitch that put me off the game, but Jim loved it. I'd just sit there during the lengthy debate on players and substitutes and referee decisions, unable to interject, hoping that I might learn something, which I never did. Then the shout went out for last orders and Jim would order two and we'd follow suit, staying there a little longer then the rest, while the staff swept up around us. It was one thing that always got Jim when we were on tour, last orders meant leave in half an hour and Jim was always shocked having been spoilt in Waterford with a somewhat easygoing staff.

I have so many memories of Jim that it's hard to pick one or even a couple that would sum him up. There's touring with Little Red Kettle to The Ark in Dublin, and staying in a hostel and the first thing I see in the morning is Jims two feet sticking out over the metal ends of the Bunk beds. They obviously hadn't been designed with Jim's length in mind. There's sitting down to dinner with him, on tour and Jim staring back over the menu, perplexed and asking me ' What's such and such? ' I'd tell him and he'd reply ' Would I like it?' There's visiting him in work in the production week of a show, in his little place of calm, a stack of books to keep him busy, or a visit to the shed or the back garden in Glencarra where everybody was always made feel welcome

And there's the nights in the Tap and sure as the hands would show ten minutes to closing, in would walk Jim with a smile and that's when the conversation really began.

Jim, thanks for everything, your time, your chats, your interest, your words of encouragement, the conversations, the laughs, the opening night jitters or the wave from the lighting box window on the curtain call, a thumbs up, the big hand in the dark to say 'well done'

Your passing has brought more then a tear to my eyes. Your warmth and presence will be sorely missed. Your spirit is irreplacable

But take it easy up there Jim, on Beckett and Hopkins and Williams and all the other greats you've joined. I'm sure you're full of questions for them. Enjoy their company Jim as we enjoyed yours. And remember us up there at closing time

Your friend and fellow mullicker

Marcus Quinlan

Awful news, he made every show myself (and by now hundreds of other WYA members) both a possibility and a great experience. We all have a lot to be thankful to him for, he constantly gave up his time and talent to the arts and people of Waterford and I'm sure he thought no more of this then simply fulfilling his duty to his community. Truly a rare and wonderful man.

Andrew Macklin

Jim was a constant fixture of my teenage years - himself and his wife Bernie. As a teenager from Ballybeg who went into his first drama workshop on his own it was important that Jim was involved. The Daly's were from around the corner and Jim's son played hurling with my brother, so this drama thing wasn't that strange, after all.Jim was a lighting designer. He must have lit most of the theatre I went to back then. I remember him sitting on the wall outside Garter Lane smoking his pipe, looking solid and unshakable. He was one of those people that could make you think things where going to be OK, just by being in the room, he didn't need to say much

You couldn't get any more Waterford than Jim. He loved Waterford hurling and attended the matches every week in season come rain or shine. He had a strong sense of community. When he spent time with you, you knew you were in his company you never doubted you had all of his attention.

I had the privilege of working on a number of the plays he wrote and was always impressed by the breadth of the mans knowledge and passion. He devoured books, poetry, prose, history, politics, you name it he read it. He passed on this love of literature in the creative writing classes he gave with Waterford Youth Arts. He steered many a young creative mind through adolescence. He knew great things could happen in Waterford because He had a sense of Waterford and its place in the world.

When i was a boy he was all I imagined a man should be. When I became a man he was all I imagine a Friend should be.

Jim was a good Friend. He may be gone but his light still shines.

James Rockett

Jim was an amazing person! He was full of knowledge and creativity and a wonderful person to talk to. I worked with him on numerous shows throughout my years with WYA and I will never forget a thing.

I remember when i was younger, like alot of the local BallyBeg people, seeing him cycling down the main road by my house and not knowing who he was.. later to find out what he did and to have the ... pleasure to work with him. He taught me so much in those years and no matter how subtle his teachings were, just being in his presence made you feel just that little more comfortable with the world.

He gave so much subconsciously and influenced so many people.. no matter how much or little you got to talk to him. I remember talking to Alan Power and Tommy Walsh one day in a room about Jim and when i said his name they both said "arrrrrgh Jim"

Whether or not he was lighting/directing/Writing, he always has a calm disposition.... and in a hectic time it was always nice to see. we have lost a great man FAR too early! he will be sadly and sorely missed!

Jim Daly will always be "Arrrrgh JIM" OUR Jim!

Hazel Davis

I have loads of memories of Jim and they're all as warm and as happy and as funny and as real as everything everyone has posted here. Butalong with all those fond memories I also have brilliant memories of him during his treatment. For a good long chunk of 2007 Jim and I were Chemo-buddies out in Medical 4 in Ardkeen. Chemotherapy is rotten and I always dreaded it as I went to get my biweekly 'dose'. And sitting there not looking forward to the pukes I'll always remember me day brightening up when I found out I was on the same day as Jim. I always knew in advance because you'd see Bernie in the ward before him giving in his forms and not long after the gentle giant himself would come through the door and I knew I was in for a good afternoon. Jim was always in good form and you couldn't help but be in good form with him. And we'd get together and talk for waterford, the two of us sitting there hooked to our drips as we discussed music and literatureand especially theatre. There came a point when the nurses had it copped and they tried their best to make sure we sat together. I lovedhis vast wealth of knowledge and boundless enthusiasm at the best of times but never more so than when sitting out there. There was nochance of wallowing in self pity when the chat was so good, as it always was with Jim. He really helped me get through those rotten daysto be honest because sitting there chatting to Jim it felt like there was nothing wrong - it was like we were in the tap room supping largebottles. His joke was always that some day we'd bring out our guitars and get the whole of medical 4 singing. No better man than Jim.

I'll miss the smell of a pipe out the back of a theatre, but how grateful I am to have smelt it in the first place.With love to Bernie and family, and much love to the gentle giant himself.

Jamie Beamish

I didn't know Jim at all when I asked if I could learn a bit about lighting. He said "all right, come down to Garter Lane tomorrow and you can help de-rig the show". Like I said, I didn't really know Jim. If I did I would not have arrived at the theatre at 9am. But there I was, standing there and someone handed me a box and said put that away, and then someone else had work for me to do and I was busy enough till he sauntered in the door at noon. That day was a door opener that got me involved in lighting and stagecraft and a whole other world that was the making of theatre. It was the making of me. It gave me the confidence to step up and give more of myself. Jim pointed out lights, talked about gobos and gels but it was the other conversations that were the memorable ones. He taught me that to appreciate a book you should first read the opening line and the closing line - it would tell you a lot about the book. If you went home after talking with Jim, you went home uplifted. He had a considered alternate view. He had a quiet way of making an argument. He had an appreciation of beauty that was so apparent. Some of the best times with Jim were of him singing "so long Marianne" in that quiet beautiful way of his. Many a night I sauntered home at the crack of dawn with a Leonard Cohen song in my head - always happy. Jim taught me a very important lesson about lighting. He said that lighting was in support of the theatre, it was not the theatre and it should enhance the production but never be noticed. To him it was a great failure to be noticed.

Jim you were and are a great light to all of us. Your light shines on. It is noticed and it will not fade.

My love to Bernie and the rest of the family.

Sinead Aylward

A light went out in my heart when I heard of Jim's death.Stagemad are forever grateful for his invaluable help and support and most importantly his friendship.When things went wrong Jim would always say to me "Its a learning curve" how right he was and how right he is.

Our love of Bob Dylan's lyrics were always great conversation. I'll remember him "In every leaf that trembles and in every grain of sand"

James Power

Jim in 2005 St Pats parade

Jim was a really strong and important figure for me growing up. From being lit by him, standing for hours in the dark as he smoked his pipe during the plotting to when I joined the creative writing classes and had the pleasure of being taught by him. The word gentleman has been used often to describe Jim and I can think of none better. Whenever I had to deal with him he was gentle, kind, intellegent, funny and genuine.

Knowing that he is no longer in waterford makes me very sad.

Deirdre Dwyer

Jim Daly was one of those people who leave an indelible mark on you forever, through things he did, he said and sometimes by things he didn’t do or say when you expected him too. In both a personal and professional outlook he touched so many lives and shared that huge larger than life yet composed character with anyone whom he came into contact with. Jim stood taller than all of us but never looked down on anyone. Everyone was an equal and he really was one of those old school socialists who had a real sense of community and solidarity about him. He always cared for others and in my life I never heard him say a bad word about anyone who didn’t deserve it! Even then, he would be generous and kind and always seek to explain why things could and should be better. As a person, Jim radiated calm and had a unique to this day sense, that everything in life we do, we do for others and not for ourselves. He oozed generosity and whether you looked for a read of his paper, some tea from a flask or a word of advice on any topic from politics of the day, he would stop what he was doing and entertain you. He was in a true sense a Teacher. Jim’s intellect was apparent immediately from the moment you would meet him, but it never prevented him from connecting with anyone on any level. Jim was one of those rarities, a master of many trades from a Lighting Designer to Writer to Teacher and numerous other talents and skills.

On a professional basis, Jim brought with him to the theatre a sense that the art came first, the technology just made it happen and he revisited this theme to me on so many occasions that I use it as a mantra for all I do today. When faced with a problem, a cup of tea and a little smoke would be sufficient to clear the mind so when we went back, the problem seemed little more than a trivial hick up which we would get past on our road to eventual success! I always loved the relaxed mood of working with Jim, no matter the venue or the hour of day. The compulsory nature of the enforced breaks was always an endearing memory and again, if everybody just took five minutes out as Jim would regularly do, you know the work would still get done but we would all enjoy the journey a lot more along the way. Jim taught me and so many others, so many things, that he will always be in my mind a mentor, a teacher and of course and proud to say, a colleague and a friend. There are so many of us today that wouldn’t be doing what we do without he influence of Jim and if we snuck through a different door we wouldn’t do it today as well as we do. Jim was a hands on man, he believed in theory, keeping it simple but doing it well. He had a great respect for his fellow production team members and drilled into all of us that vital sense that we compliment each other and in working as a team we can achieve far greater things than individuals. He was open to what he called the playing of a ‘change of mind card’ and disliked anyone with a linear outlook on anything. He portrayed a look outside the box approach, adapt and learn from everything we do. I remember telling him in great detail about new technology, new ideas and these whiz kids doing this and that on scales we could only dream of…his simple reply gazing to the sky, pipe moved from the lips was ‘yes, but where’s the art?’. It was him personified.

He will be missed by all of us in the land of theatre, by countless other through his teaching and writings and by the community as a whole. One of life’s true gents, his presence will be missed greatly. When next I stand behind a lighting desk or on a terrace screaming for the Deise I shall think of Jim. I think the collective thoughts of people who relive and recall their encounters with Jim Daly are the best memories we can have of the man. Can anybody who came into contact really say they didn’t learn something from him, even if you disagreed and forced yourself to admit that he was right afterwards. We shall all miss the advice, the calm, the breaks, the ethos that everything we do has a bigger purpose and that truly the art comes first. You can really learn all that technical stuff later. Thank you for everything Jim, for your advice, training, teachings and passing on skills that I hope I don’t shame you with today. If there is a man upstairs controlling all things, he’d better make room for Jim and expect to learn a thing or two. He may consider himself on standby…..lights up……cue Jim..and enter…….

Rest in Peace Jim……..

PAUL BROWNE

Jim Daly was one of the most honest and decent people I have ever had the priviledge to meet.

I worked with Jim in 2001 on the devising and creation of The Land of Stuff. It was Jim's first play and my first time directing at WYD. We spent hours together discussing ideas and trying to model ideas from the young casts improvisation. Jim was great. He never once complained when I said "Look Jim , this is great but its poetry not dialogue!" he simply said "Okay, I'll give it another go" and off he would go back home to work. I know he got his family involved with the script, I think Elaine filled him in about Eminem and slim shady. The play itself was extraordinary as was the response, Jim captured a moment when hopes and dreams are still bright and brought them into a sharp yet humerous focus. We worked on another play a in 2003, an exchange between WYD and West Lothian Youth Theatre. Jim again showed his consumate skill as a writer blending Waterford and West Lothian slang - no mean feat in itself!

What I will miss most is Jims positive thought and support. Every time I came to Waterford Jim and I would always meet up and chew the fat about the local theatre scene, he would try to explain the joys of hurling - which i now understand and what we might do together. I am sad we will not work together again but his memory, humour and writing has inspired me and a generation of young Waterford people . God bless you Jim.

Scott Johnston

In the early 90’s, at the height of the Water-Charges row, Jim and his friend Shamie were costumed as holy-men is a parade called ‘Noah’s Ark’ They had adapted a huge bible, on the back it read; “Noah won’t charge for the water.” They had found a way to protest and have craic. Jim worked with the team that founded Spraoi as early as 1991, and continued his link with us by performing in many of the company’s parades over the years. He was one of the first people to come with me, at midnight after a bottle, and stand in the steel framework under construction that would become the Spraoi Studios. He puffed his pipe and said; “Tis great!”. It was vintage Jim; he could encourage you by saying very little. The threads of his life; family, friendships, theatre, literature, music, sports, politics, humanity, pipe and large-bottle were woven into a rich and substantial cloth. We at Spraoi are grateful that he wrapped it around us over the years. He was an authentic Spraoi-spirit; he remains the secret-chord.

T.V. Honan

Jim's passing is a tragic loss, not only for his family and friends, but also for the small yet beautifully formed world of Waterford arts.

I last spoke to Jim in person shortly before moving to Dublin back in 2002. Back then I was severely doubting whether I had any talent for 'the written word'. I was seriously considering throwing in the creative towel and getting a dreaded 'proper career.'

In hindsight it strikes me as ridiculous that I even considered such a thing, or indeed thought that it would be possible. As I've since learnt to my great pleasure and occasional cost - being 'creative' is not a feature of one's personality that can be wished away for the temporary expediency of one's bank balance. Creative talent is a rare gift, as Jim would say, and it is an absolute tragedy not to pursue said talent with all the strength and stamina that can be mustered.

Having gotten to know Jim through Waterford Youth Drama - I cheekily invited myself to his welcoming home in Glencara - I knew no other writers in Waterford and was hungry to discuss all that this strange craft could offer. Jim - always with navy jumper and pipe in corner of mouth - became a good friend during those Wednesday night chats.

Although I was mostly interested in writing for film and TV - Jim encouraged me to try my hand at poetry and short stories - as he thought those genres could greatly enhance the depth and texture of my other work. The night before I left for Dublin I called to his house with a newly minted poem about the tortured thoughts of a dying war criminal. It was embarressingly flowery and childishly self-indulgent - yet the constraints of the format had forced me to put maximum effort and creative energy into each word and comma.

Jim read the 30 lines in silent repose, gently sucking in the delicious smoke from his pipe. Always a thinker, Jim looked to the ceiling for a few moments and then smiled. The silence continued. I couldn't stand it any longer.

"Its crap, isn't it?" I ventured, trying to break the perceived tension.

"Not at all, Steven," said Jim. "I think its amazing. I 've no idea what its about - but its still amazing!"

I blushed deeply and laughed. And then Jim said something which continues to give me confidence to this day: "Steven, you are definitely a writer - stick with it no matter what." Those few words still echo through me each time I stare at a blank page.

Us lucky few in the creative arts will continue to serve your memory by sticking with it - no matter what.

Thanks Jim.

Steven Stubbs

Firstly I would like to say that it's a sad time for theatre in Wateford. Jim was loved by everybody who had the pleasure to work with him over the years, myself included.

I remember the first time i properly talked to Jim, it was back in 2003 during the scotish exchange, I spent alot of time talking to Jim over those 10 days in Scotland. He was there to talk to if I felt homesick and I've never forgotten that. It was during the exchange when I knew just how great of a man he was, and I knew I wanted to work with him again. And I became aware of the pipe that everybody who worked with Jim, would know and miss.

After Instant Mash came Snapp'd(2004). It was during rehearsals for Snap'd, after a few enlightening words from Jim, that I began to feel more confident in myself both as a person and as an actor.

It was in 2006 while I was doing sound for Are You the Wife of Michael Cleary, with Stagemad, which Jim was doing the lighing design for, that I knew I wanted to be a lighting designer. Seeing Jim doing his job was fascinating to me. It was during this show when I began to develop a liking towards lighting design.

He sparked my passion for lighting and I'll never forget that. I didn't know what I wanted to do when I left WYA until I started lighting Works in Progress in The Arch. This then sent me away to college where I'm doing technical theatre and hope some day to be as good a designer as Jim was. I'm also dabbling in a bit of writing, some day it'll be finished, i just wish Jim could have been around to see the final product.

He threw passion into his work both as a lighting designer and a writer. He always had time to talk to you no matter how busy he was. He always had a story, or a funny anecdote to tell and I, aswell as everybody else was always glad to hear them. I always had a great amount of respect and love for Jim, as I'm sure everybody did.

Also he was the only man I knew that could pull off the socks and sandles look.

Jim will be sadly missed by everybody in the theatre business in Waterford. He had a presence which, even with his passing, i'm sure will still be felt.

He may be gone but his memory will live on.

Richard "Lippy" Collins

A few days has gone by since my friend Jim passed away. In reading the tributes on the W.Y.A web site, it is truly amazing how Jim touched so many life’s.

A lot has been written about Jims life in theatre and I have been privileged to have shared so much of it with him.

The days of waiting for Jim at the theatre to arrive (always late) with the plan, the plan to create magic.Over the years I have watched Jim design show after show for Waterford Youth Drama,Red Kettle,Barnstorm and so many more, and with each he approached it like it was his first, he wanted it to be right and it always was.

When I first met Jim, at Waterford crystal swimming pool, he was running a club, the Waterford Viking swimming club for the disabled. I was involved with the Irish Red Cross at the time. We would ferry his club members to the pool every Saturday.

Jim was a extraordinary site in the pool, speedos, long legs, bushy beard and swimming hat not quite fitting his head, he was to big for the pool.

I have no idea how but a few weeks later I too was getting wet. I have the best of memories of Our (as they became) Saturdays at the pool.

It was during this time that I met a whirlwind of a lady who would become a deeply cherished friend. I thank God for the day when Jim and Bernie came into my life.

Over the last few day I have shed a lot of tears as I remember my days and nights with Jim, in Garter lane on the rig,drinking tea in the yard, having pints in the Tap. Waiting on the hill of ballybricken for Bernie to bring me home, the chats in the car as we drove to kilmacow.

Jim was as mentor to me as he was with so many. He gave me a love of theatre lighting design he encouraged me, taught me and was there for me when I cocked it up.

Always at the end of a phone when the going got tough always by my side when it got really rough.

Jim loved his Art, plays, film, paintings, books,music . He would speak about Beckett, Dylan or Picasso with such knowledge and passion you could not but listen, just sitting and listening to Jim was a joy. Many a night over a few pints when the conversation was good I would just listen, learning from the man was easy,he gave it freely. To watch him in the Tap room as bit by bit the whole pub came to talk to him politics, art, sport, religion I felt blessed just to be beside him.

He may have been my mentor but most of all he was my friend he took me as I was and we enjoyed each others company.

When Jim became sick my world fell apart I could not understand how this could happen to such a big man I was angry and truth be told I am angry to this day.

Bernie told me he never said ‘Why me’ he excepted his illness but he never stopped fighting. Jims love of life and all it brought lasted to the end . He was a kind, gentle and very brave man.

I will never forget him and someday when the pain of his passing goes away I will remember him for the joy he brought to my life.

As Jim was fond of saying ‘Art me arse’

Take care Jim

Michael Oates