I first had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Harry when Sarah and I were in London for the England-Ireland six nations game. The game was on Saturday and Sarah had arranged to meet Harry on the Friday. 

We all met for lunch and few glasses of wine later, we were getting on like a house on fire - Harry of course had the great advantage of being a Pres Boy and although there was a few years (decades) difference in us attending the school it was funny to hear that our experiences were more or less identical - some places never change I guess. Harry a bit like myself played for the cricket team - although I have a inkling he might have been a better player than me - he did also mention that George Hook was on the same first eleven as he was ( I commiserated profusely with him on that - Irish people will get the joke!)  

Lunch turned into a bit of tour of London (with a few pit stops for liquid refreshment) and Harry introduced us to some of his friends and colleagues around the Royal Courts of Justice in an underground bar (as in a cellar bar not a speakeasy (possibly the crypts?). There we got all the inside info on who was who in the legal world.

Harry also regaled us with some fascinating stories including my favourite about running an army or possible bandit checkpoint (they didn't hang about long enough to find out) with his driver in Nigeria when he was down there working with a Hotel Chain.  The story had to be heard to be believed and I fear I wouldn't do it justice in the re-telling - but it was straight out of a Frederick Forsyth adventure story complete with barrels burning at the side of the road for light, crashing through a barrier and shots being fired.  

Anyway I next met Harry at Jim & Eleanor's wedding and he was his usual effervescent self - and a great day was had. I promised Harry I'd rustle up a few tickets for a future Ireland- England rugby game but alas Harry's health started to decline and we never did manage to take in that game. We did enjoy his annual round up at Christmas though when he updated us all on the years events - a great tradition continued by Pam.

A life well lived is an apt tribute to Harry - from the Mardyke to Nigeria to London - quite the journey! 

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal 

Tomás & Sarah

P.S. Ireland won that rugby game - Harry would have wanted you to know that.