I had the privilege to go to school, work and play underage football at Ard Eoin CIceams with James. He was a real character and always looked out for everyone. The only contact I had with him for about 20 years was the regular birthday greetings from “flash” on Facebook or his posts about cartoons. That all changed when I went back to the club to coach underage team. He was really interested on the development of hurling in his beloved Ard Eoin and was always willing to support me in anyway he could. I am truly grateful for the time and support he gave me. A true Gael taken to soon. John…

James or Mr McVeigh as I knew him as was one of the funniest but kidest teachers who I had a pleasure of meeting! Anytime you walked into school and you heard the words ” Mr McVeigh is covering us today” you just knew you weren’t going to leave that classroom without laughing a million times. He wasn’t your average teacher, he had a way with us all and the lessons he taught I will always remember. A one in a million teacher who touched the hearts of everyone he graced with his presence. I hope these messages of how wonderful a person James was can bring some comfort to his family, you are all in my thoughts at this very hard time. …

I have know James, since I started to volunteer at Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School, Birmingham since 2009. He was also my youngest daughter Leela Doherty, form tutor. He made me welcome from the start, asking for funny stories about Leela , he was a colleague but he became a friend. We stayed in contact after he left to return to Ireland. He always asked after Leela, my Husband Tom and other children. He was a very caring and loyal friend, the many laughs that had will become treasured memories of a good friend. RIP James, sleep easy my friend ❤️    …

How lucky we were that when Louise and Jim Mc Veigh left Belfast that they chose Randalstown to make their home. How lucky we were that they had a son called James who joined our club and brought with him a new enthusiasm for all things GAA, a love of hurling, football and camogie, a burning ambition to improve our club, a whole range of skills that saw him join committees, manage teams, young and old, train the Mothers and Others and inspire us all with his craic and banter. I remember him preparing for his sister’s wedding and the time and effort he put in to learning the pronunciation of the reading he had to do in Irish. He was determined to get it right and always had the cúpla focal any time we met. I can’t believe he has gone so suddenly from us. He was one good adult and that smiling face will now be lighting up heaven. He will never be forgotten. Sincere condolences to Louise, Jim and all the family. Leaba i measc na n-aingeal go raibh aige. Codladh sámh, a chara….

A man who’s coaching skill was obvious to everyone and was shown with the results on the pitch. But his coaching talent was only one small piece of what made him- he was a man who could instill positivity, confidence and joy in every person he worked with- it’s something that was not evident to outsiders, but it’s that special factor about James that will be remembered most by all that knew him. Rest In Peace James- you will be missed by all….

I got to know James while he was president of Univetsity of Ulster sports union. I was in charge of the Coleraine Hurling team and whatever we needed was “sorted” by James. We grew to become good friends and he persuaded me to run for sports president to take over from him. Without all his help and guidance I would not have ran or won. Go raibh maith agat. I hadn’t seen him in a number of years after University and bumped into him in Ballyboffey at an Antrim-Donegal championship game in about 2004.  As he went to head home after the game I persuaded him to stay and have a few more pints with us and he could stay in our hotel. He quickly handed over his glasses and decided to stay on the beer. After a few more pints we decided to tell him we didn’t have a hotel room but were  infact just going to sleep in the car. Thankfully he found the funny side. I happend to be up in Tír na nÓg at the start of the year for a Scór quiz and as usual James was there taking a GAA course as he…

Many great memories from Nursery School (I still have a photo of us playing at the watertray and our class photo) and our time at St Mals. A brilliant guy and although I hadn’t seen Jim for many years, I’ll miss him   God Bless Jim. …

Our friendship started with Strictly and continued on the pitch when you coached the G4M team. You helped reignite my joy in coaching camogie again when you came to my new GAA home in Greenlough to get me started and remained an incredible motivator and supporter. Im sure I am not the only one you have inspired.  Goodbye my friend, keep dancing!…

James could be the type of person, who, if you have never met before he would be a stranger and then within a brief period could flip that opinion, for me it was in the first session you were involved with in u21 and from that first day i grew to respect you and appreciate everything you brought to the players and the club. In the beginning of the U21 campaign last year it looked as if no one wanted to be involved until you came in and brought some of the current senior players under your wing to help guide us to the final that we unfortunately lost or else I would have been able to tell you and everyone in the captain’s speech how much all the players and myself appreciated and enjoyed every minute of being coached by you.  i felt privileged to have you telling me to help with the minor team the year past and will take care of the information you sent to me regarding the drills etc. you provided me with and will miss coming home from a training or match with the minors to an action shot of myself with my coaching hat on.  You have embedded a great legacy within in…

I cannot believe I am writing this. I only hope this will give your family some comfort. You made me feel so welcome when I started Rathmore. You were kind, genuine and most of all a great role model to the kids. You were funny and not afraid to put yourself at the center of the jokes. When we met your sister for the training day I could tell how close you were to one another.  My thoughts are with all of your family ♡ Tammy…

I was lucky enough to have James as a colleague and saw first hand the gift he had for coaching and teaching. He was committed, hard working,  ever patient, fair and great fun; the young people loved him. If they showed any interest in sport of any kind he went out of his way to try and facilitate them getting involved. He took me and a student up to the club because the boy had mentioned he’d like to start hurling. I’d never even held a hurl but within minutes he both of us eating out of his hand, giggling and having a great time.  As a colleague he was thoughtful, generous with his resources and his time. He was never to busy to help you. I remember when I was about 7 months pregnant he came in to take over teaching a class. We were just tidying some painting. One of the boys commented that the paint brush water looked like strawberry milkshake. In a throw away comment I said that I’d love a strawberry Yazoo…about 1hr later James put one in my hand. It was simple acts of human kindness like this I will remember him for….

James, I can’t believe I am writing this. You were a true gentleman and I will miss you. You had so many stories to tell and the laughs we all had toghtger. Rathmore will not be the same without you. watch over your family and friends, keep them strong. Rest in peace James …

Our school community wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late James McVeigh. James was a popular PE coach in our school for many years and both the staff and pupils will have lasting memories of his fun and engaging lessons. James was always willing to go beyond this role, helping out with school sporting events and passing on his skills and expertise through staff training. His personable demeanour and easy nature left him with many friends among the staff and pupils of our school and his loss will be felt by us all here at St Joseph’s PS, Dunloy. May he rest in peace….

I had the privilege of knowing James all too briefly – he came to Rathmore as I was preparing to retire. We sat in the staff room and I asked him to tell me about himself. He struck me as a humble, sincere and gifted communicator. I asked him when he could start and see how things go.  He started the next Monday, and, the rest, as they say, was history. He fitted like a glove.  A pastoral educator who just “got” the young people he worked with. If you needed anything done? have a word with James and before you had finished he had agreed. The kids and staff will be bereft without him. He really was the epitome of the gentleman teacher. a professional with soo much to offer He touched so many and I wish to express my sincere condolences to all his family. …