Mr Sean Conway, president of the Irish Vocational Education Association, died at his home in Ashbourne, Co Meath, on December 27th, 1995. Sean was born in 1931 and grew up in Ballivor, the son of local teachers Margaret and Thomas Conway. He was educated at Ballivor National School, Rockwell College, Co Tipperary, and the College of Pharmacy in Dublin. After graduation he worked in various parts of the country before starting his own business in Ashbourne. He later built the shop that his pharmacy still occupies and recently celebrated 40 years in business in Ashbourne.
As a young man, he was a keen sportsman and represented Rockwell College in the Harty Cup for hurling. He also won a Munster rugby cup medal and an All Ireland medal for rowing while at the school and was later a member of the Neptune Rowing Club in Dublin. A former member of the Ballivor GAA Club and Donaghmore GAA Club, he played minor football and junior hurling for Meath. Sean was a member of the Royal Tara Golf Club and for many years was a founder member and first captain of Ashbourne and Ratoath Golfing Society.
Sean was first elected to Co Meath VEC in the late 1960s and was chairman for 10 years and at the forefront in developing VEC schools. Committed to helping people regardless of background, he was determined that education would empower communities to develop their full potential. Under his chairmanship, the VEC established new community colleges in Longwood, Kells, Navan and most recently Dunboyne, currently under construction. A fluent Irish speaker and promoter of the language, he was particularly proud when Coliste Rathcairn was set up. He also played a leading role in establishing a second level school in Ashbourne. He was a member of the Board of Management of St Peter's College, Dunboyne, Pobail Scoil Rathcairn, Cairn, Dunshaughlin Community College and Dundalk RTC. He also served on the governing body of Thomond College, Limerick for some years and the National Council for Vocational Awards. He was a former member of the NCEA and the board of FAS.
Sean Conway first served on the IVEA Standing Council in 1976 and was elected president in 1986. He was active in recent education debates leading to the Green Paper and White Paper on Education. Sean was extremely popular with his council and conference delegates. The effort he put into being impartial and open to all VEC members was admired by all who knew him. He left a purposeful and united organisation behind him.
Sean was committed to the principles of local democracy and recognised its vital role in supporting and developing local communities. His career in local politics began when he was coopted onto Meath Co Council in 1963 and held onto that seat until he retired from the Council in 1991. He was chairman of the Council on two occasions. He was also a member of the North Eastern Health Board and its Community Care Committee.
His interest in politics also had a national dimension. In the three general elections of 1981 and 1982, he stood as a Fianna Fail candidate in Meath and was very narrowly defeated on each occasion. In 1981, he was elected to the Cultural and Educational panel of the Seanad. When he retired from active political life in 1991, the then leader of Fianna Fail, Mr Charles Haughey, made a presentation to him in recognition of 28 years of public service.
At parish level Sean was equally active. He was a founder member of Ashbourne Credit Union and served on the committee, mainly as president, for 25 years. He always made every effort to attend regular meetings no matter where he was in the country. He was a founder member of the Ashbourne and District Chamber of Commerce in 1981 and served as the first president.
Sean is survived by his wife, Carmel and six children. His first wife, the late Rosemary Blood died tragically in a motor accident in 1970. He will be missed by his sons Tom and David, his daughters Antoinette, Rosemary, Elizabeth and Seona. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren and by his brothers Paddy, Loman, Ultan, his sisters Mairc, Eithne and Aoife.