Aidan Heavey, b. 1927

Track 1: Born 1 February 1927, the fourth member of a family of fourteen. Educated at Marist College, Athlone and, in 1945, having completed his Leaving Certificate, went to work in the textile business of Dwyer and Co. Limited, Cork – The House of Dwyer. Track 2: At Dwyer’s, he started as a commercial traveller, visiting drapers’ businesses throughout Ireland, showing samples and gaining orders. Subsequently promoted to manager of Dwyer’s Lee Clothing factory, with supervision of ninety staff members. In 1964, he and his wife Maureen set up their own wholesale textile business, Rothbury Suiting Limited, in South William Street, Dublin. Track 3: Before leaving Cork in the 1960s, attained a BComm degree at UCC and, in Dublin, having studied law at King’s Inns, qualified as a barrister in 1968. In 1969, studied for a postgraduate MBA at Trinity College. As a Catholic, he was required to obtain permission from the Archbishop of Dublin to attend the lectures. Track 4: Invited in 1965 to become a Friend of Trinity Library, as he remains to this day. Became Secretary and remained so for many years. His role in keeping Library members informed of relevant events and arranging speakers. Recalls that David Norris was Chairman of Friends of the Library during his tenure. Track 5: His legacy – the Aidan Heavey Collection, donated to Athlone Library – his collection of rare books on literature, history and archaeology, the Irish language, Irish printing and binding, and politics; a unique reference resource for researchers and academics, both nationally and internationally, and the fruits of a lifelong and discriminating collector’s eye.