'The man with the hat' tributes paid to Laois volunteer in Croke Park and Ploughing Championships

Tributes have been paid on the passing of Laois man John Dollard, who volunteered for many years for the GAA in Croke Park and other stadiums, while also working for the National Ploughing Championships.

John Dollard of Bunlacken, Cullohill, passed away on September 24, aged 78, peacefully in St James's Hospital Dublin, surrounded by his loving family.

He is deeply regretted by his loving wife Mary, son Martin, daughter-in-law Geraldine, brother Joe, sister-in-law, nephew, grand nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

The deceased, who drove a cattle lorry for a living, was known locally and nationally for volunteering in all sorts of ways in his local community and through his avid support of Gaelic Games and the National Ploughing Championships.

He has become a fixture in Croke Park since the late 1980s, when he joined other Laois volunteers to travel to all the big games in GAA HQ with a team of stewards from Laois. He stood out with his distinctive hat.

In the early days, he worked outside the stadium on the approach routes, directing fans to the stands but then graduated to working inside the stadium, filling various roles. He was captured on live TV many times shepherding winning coaches after the final whistle.  MORE BELOW PHOTO.

John Dollard and Willie Stackpool bring out the bench for Laois against Westmeath in the Leinster SHC Round 1 at O'Moore Park in 20017. Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ie

More recently, he joined other Laois volunteers in helping the Munster GAA council with games in Semple Stadium, Pairc Uí Chaoimh, Cusack Park, The Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

He was also a very active local volunteer with the GAA and other organisations, be it at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise or at a community events in Durrow, Cullohill and other areas.

Another big annual event for John was the National Ploughing Championships. He was a key figure in event's security for many years before getting involved in the logistics of the event more recently. 

Kyle man Pat Hennessy is an acting chief steward in Croke Park. For many years, he worked alongside John in the GAA, ploughing, and other events.  He praised John's volunteer spirit no matter the scale of an event and said many will be saddened by John's passing at home in Laois and further afield.

"Everyone knew the man with the cap," Pat said of his friend who passed away at the age of 78.

Anna May McHugh paid tribute on behalf of the National Ploughing Association. 

“John had a very distinctive presence – he towered over most people with his big frame, his dark cap and coat. For a big man he was very softly spoken and had a very gentle demeanour.

"I would describe him as a very pleasant person, very loyal with a huge interest in people. He had a word for everyone he crossed paths with at “the ploughing” and he knew most of them or someone belonging to them.

"I would say that thousands upon thousands of people “from the ploughing” would remember John and those that didn’t, given the small clue “tall man with black cap” would register immediately. He was a pleasure to know and a tonic to have a conversation with – sadly missed by the ploughing community, where he stewarded for decades and was a friend to many.

"We last spoke at the end of August at the National Ploughing Press Reception on the Screggan site, little did we know that it would be his last tour of duty.

"Rest in Peace John,” concluded Ms McHugh.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS BELOW PHOTO.

John and Mary Dollard at the Laois Poughing celebration evening for Padraig Brandon and Jim Ryan in The Castle Arms Hotel in 2022. Picture: Alf Harvey

His remains will repose in St. Tighearnach's Church, Cullohill (R32EV76) on Friday, September 26 from 4pm pausing for prayers at 8pm.

John's funeral cortège will arrive in St. Tighearnach's Church on Saturday, September 27 for funeral Mass at 11am, followed by burial in Durrow cemetery (R32CK11).

House strictly private please. John's funeral Mass may be viewed live by clicking HERE.

Rest in Peace.