I met Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane on only one occasion. I was heading into a hall for some Feile event well over ten years ago. I was talking to Francie Brolly, who I knew from my years in St Columb’s College, Derry, and after. Francie gestured to the man walking beside him and said “This is Bik McFarlene”. I responded “Good to meet you, Mick”. “No” Francie corrected me “It’s Bik”. Your faithful scribe collapses into a vat of embarrassment and apology.
But you didn’t need to know Bik McFarlane well to see that he was a dedicated leader. There was about him that air of quiet authority which must have driven his enemies mad. In his teens he spent a couple of years in a Welsh seminary, training for the priesthood, but the eruption of the Troubles in 1969 completely changed his life. At the age of eighteen he joined the IRA.
He was imprisoned in Long Kesh in 1976, and participated in the blanket protest. With the hunger strikes he became O/C of the IRA prisoners. In 1983 he orchestrated the escape of 38 prisoners from Long Kesh. After his release from prison he was active in Coiste na n-Iarchimí, an organization dedicated to supporting former republican prisoners. He was a musician and composer of songs, many reflecting on the loss of former comrades.
I feel presumptuous writing this – so many other people knew him so much better than I. But there was a certain – what? – a certain grace about him that hinted at his strength of character and the unselfish conduct of his life. I would have felt churlish not to mark his passing.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.
Weren’t you so lucky to meet such a great person.!
I never di. May he rest in peace
Rest in peace Bik
Suaimhneas Siorrai ort a chara dhíl. Bik was a kind and generous man, a man who cared.A good singer and guitarist.A great loss. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal
Like so many of his comrades Bik has left this world too soon. So much sorrow for the loss of such fine leaders but also so many questions around their untimely deaths. The H Blocks and the treatment of the prisoners during the struggle for political status needs investigated.
Fear maith calma cróga a sheas an fód i gcónaí ar son hÉireann
Fear maith calma cróga a sheas an fód i gcónaí ar son hÉireann
Well said Jude. He had that “it”, the thing that you don’t know how to describe but he had “it”. He was a very special person and like you, I didn’t know him well, had met him several times, but knew who he was and what he accomplished. Gerry summed it well, he was the person Bobby Sands trusted.