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John is well-used to Jack, and is ever-ready to counter his small-dog syndrome Joe Pesci impersonations (“Furry, how?”)with a firm grip, but the stand-offs did get the two of us to talking.
The two of us would start rambling on about how the Holy Faith sisters used to run St David’s, and how local landlords the

25NOV16
ur main goal here at GG HQ – beyond becoming stinking rich
and impressing the girls – is putting together as many parts as we possibly can of the Greystones jigsaw.
And that means archiving not only the obvious but also the almost-forgotten, covering the scenic route whilst also taking those skanky paths less travelled, and talking to those Greystonians everyone knows and those quieter ones who have carved out their own little corner of our town’s history.

John with Eileen & John Redmond
For us, a fine example of the latter is John Connolly.
We kept meeting John out on our walks, mainly because his tiny terrier, Jack, seems to believe that he could throw Max over his shoulder and get him in a head-lock – if only his master would let go of that bleedin’ lead.

John, second from left
John is well-used to Jack, and is ever-ready to counter his small-dog syndrome Joe Pesci impersonations (“Furry, how?”)with a firm grip, but the stand-offs did get the two of us to talking.
John might be 77, but he reads the Guide, and where we would be wide-eyed every time we unearthed a grainy old black & white picture of our town from over half-a-century ago, for John, it’s often a real memory.
The two of us would start rambling on about how the Holy Faith sisters used to run St David’s, and how local landlords the
Orpin family once owned acres upon acres up here in Kindlestown and Blacklion, and how that particular dynasty came to a sad end when Eileen Gunning and her daughter, Fatima, were forced out of their Blacklion home, Chrysanthemum Cottage, back in October, 2010.

John, Brendan & Shay on a teabreak
Talking to John made us realise that we really knew feck all about Greystones’ history.
Still, John has form when it comes to knowing this town, and its people. Growing up in Grattan Park, his very first job over 60 years ago was as a telegraph boy – and he soon got to know every single address in Greystones, and just about every single person.

John with Count Michael Tolstoy
ur main goal here at GG HQ – beyond becoming stinking rich
and impressing the girls – is putting together as many parts as we possibly can of the Greystones jigsaw.
John might be 77, but he reads the Guide, and where we would be wide-eyed every time we unearthed a grainy old black & white picture of our town from over half-a-century ago, for John, it’s often a real memory.
Orpin family once owned acres upon acres up here in Kindlestown and Blacklion, and how that particular dynasty came to a sad end when Eileen Gunning and her daughter, Fatima, were forced out of their Blacklion 
2 comments
John sadly passed on Monday, December 23rd 2024 – and here are some of the condolences on our social media…
Paula Bullock
So sorry to hear this. What a lovely man. My late mum and dad were always fond of John and Jenny. Sincere condolences to all his family.
Roisin Kennedy
Absolutely a gent always a smile and a hello may he rest now x
Tara Crawford
So sad to hear of Johns passing. He was an absolute gem. Will always have such fond memories. Thinking of Jenny, Lez & Rach at this difficult time. Codladh Sámh John.
Gary Greene
To our lovely friend jhon may you rest in peace. From bridie and all the greene family. From grathan park.. RIP.
Peter O Toole
Rest in Peace John. He was a great man and did huge work as an advocate for COPD patients. Condolences to his family.
Aaron Hempenstall
Say to see this. Rest in peace John…a pure gentleman, condolences to all the family!!
Sharon Chippendale
Sad to hear of John’s passing, he was such a big presence in the area, thinking of Jenny, Antony, Sean, Lez and Rachel at this sad time xx
Aaron Kennedy
Ah . A true gent. Thinking of the family at this time
Jacqueline Daly
I’m so sorry to hear John has passed he was a true gentleman loved stopping to talk to him when he was out walking he’s dog condolences to jenny and family at this sad time RIP john
Margaret Martin
A true gentleman may you rest in peace John sincere condolences to Jenny and the boys
Jessica Howard
Condolences to Jenny and all the family John was a lovely man
Mary Philpott
So sad to see this John was truly amazing gentleman loved the chats with his little dog Sincere sympathies to the Connolly family may his gentle soul rest in peace
Bernie Molloy
Condolences to Jenny and family ❤️John was a true gentleman RIP John
Paul Tierney
John was a lovely Gentleman knew him
From my days working in Heitons. Rest in peace John .
Philomena Redmond
Deepest sympathy to Jenny and all the family may he rest in peace ❤️
Leslie and Philomena Redmond
Ann-Marie Greene
I just adore this gentleman,he was the first person to greet my mother when she moved up to Greystones many many years ago,one of my dads best friends alsothank you for the memories John you truly are a pure gentleman,may you Rest safely in the arms of the Angels gone before you,sincere condolences to Jenny,lez,Rachel,Sean,Tony and families from All the Greene family Crowabbey ❤️
Harriet Fisher
Ah very sad to hear this
A true gentleman. Sleep well John.
Condolences to Jenny and all the family.
Sarahj Byrne
One of life’s true gents condolences to jenny, tony and all the family RIP John
Paula Gilbert
So sad to hear this news. John was an absolute gentleman. Thinking of Jennie and the boys at this sad sad time. Rest in peace John x
Paddy Condron
Condolences to Jenny and the lads & all the family on John’s passing. A good neighbour for years. RIP
Fiona Emma McKeown
Such a fantastic character rip John x thoughts and prayers are with you all
Derek White
Rest in peace John a true gentlemen and parker. Had the pleasure of working with John for kinsella coal. Condolences to John’s family.
Anne Harris
RIP John
Thinking of Jenny and his family at this sad time
Margaret Bell
My condolences to Jenny and family .RIP John
Lisa Devlin
Aww such a wonderful man and a gentle man great friend of my my late dad rip John thinking of all ur family xxx
Josie Whelan
Condolences to all his family beautiful man rest in peace
Catherine Whelan
Sincere Sympathy Tony and family at the sad passing of your Dear Father. May he Rest in Peace. Thinking of you at this sad and lonely time. Catherine and Noel Whelan. Castlebridge
John Mc Gowan
Rest in peace John. You were an inspiration and a gentleman. Condolences to Jenny and family.
Peter Kelly
My condolences to all the family at this very sad time.
John was one of kind a true Gentleman…. always had a smile and time for a chat ….
Rest in peace John.
Nicola Byrne
Such a lovely man, sincere condolences to Jenny and all the family at this very difficult time. May John rest in peace xxx
Mary Gilbert
Rest in peace John Condolence to Jenny and family such a lovely gentleman
Teresa OToole
RIP John condolences to all the family at this difficult time. ❤️❤️
Jackie Greene-O’Brien
Such sad news of hearing of John’s passing one of greystones gentleman loved our chat’s my thoughts and prayers with jenny and family at this heartbreaking time rip John
Berni Farrelly
Very sorry to hear of John’s passing. Knew his sister, Alice and went to school with Paddy. Deepest sympathy to his wife and family.
Alec Byrne
Rest In peace John, a lovely man, great storyteller of down the years, generally with a bit of humour thrown in.
Una Delaney
What a lovely man so sorry for your loss thinking of you all at this heat breaking time RIP John
Eddie Dunphy
Rest in peace John. A friend in need. You and Paddy moved my furniture when I moved to Greystones many years ago My condolences to all of Johns family.
Gillian Coffey
Ah such sad news a true gentleman and long time neighbours condolences to all the Connolly family Rip John ❤️
Paula Murphy
Rest in peace John one of life’s true gentlemen Condolences to all John’s family and friends
Anne-Marie Lawless
Deepest sympathy to Jenny, Tony, Seán and Lez, John was such a lovely gentleman, may he rest in peace
Yvonne O Neill
Sincere condolences to all the Connolly family, John was a gentleman. Rest in peace
Austin Galligan
What a Gentleman it was a pleasure knowing him Rip from Austin Galligan and family
Issie O’hagan
Very sad to hear this, such a lovely man RIP Mr Connolly, Condolences to family and friends.
Teresa O’Toole
Condolences to the family was a gentleman R.I.P John
Pat Lee
RIP John so sorry to hear this news
Rachael Crinion
A lovely gentleman.thinking of his family at this sad time!may he rest in peace..
Lynne Woodyard-Sweeney
He was a true gentleman god bless him
Bridget O’Connor
John was true gentleman condolences to Jenny and the boys May he Rest In Peace
Theresa Bushe
A lovely man, may he rest in peace x
Kevin Keyes
Lovely man. RIP John
Debbie Howard
A beautiful gentleman, loved the chats , so polite may he rest in peace ❤️
John Brandon
Rip john,condolences to his wife and family.
Adrian Kelly
Rest in peace john an absolute gentleman, condolences to all the family
Yvonne Harris
Rest in Peace John,Condolences to Jenny and family
Lisa Lappin Farrell
A true gentleman rip John
Amanda Daly
So sorry to hear this sad news , a lovely gentleman RIP John x
Cllr Tom Fortune
John RIP. Condolences to all John’s family. Thinking of you at this very sad time.
Sandra Donnelly
John was a gentleman always ready for chat. Condolences to Jenny and family
John Byrne
Condolences to all the family, rip John
Sharon Burke
Condolences to Family and Friends
Valerie Nason
Absolute gentleman RIP
Kathleen Harte
So sorry for your loss, lovely gentleman,
RiP John
Linda Cooke
Rest well John,dad loved his chats with you
Catherine Owens
Sincere condolences to all the Family at this very sad time❤️
May he Rest in Peace❤️
Ellen Clancy
Such sad news. A true gentlemen. My deepest condolence to Jenny,Tony,Sean and Lez. R.I.P. JOHN .
Derek Campbell
Rest in peace Mr connelly condolences to all the
Timothy Kavanagh
Rip John a lovely man
David Matthews
Rest in peace John
Christine Orourke
A true gentleman rip john
Lorraine Taylor
Rip John
Mike Fisher
Rest in peace John. One of nature’s gentlemen.
Marian Kavanagh
Very sad news he was a lovely man and neighbour RIP 
Victor Evans
R.I.P. John. Thinking of Jenny and all the family at this very sad time.
11h
Ciara Taylor
Such sad news John was a absolute gentleman. Rest in paradise John
Richard Bourke
Rest in peace John.
Nuala Murphy
Rest in Peace John
Michelle Doyle
RIP Mr Connolly may you rest in peace
Sue Prendergast
A really nice gentleman. Rest in peace mr. Connolly
Paula Synnott
So sad xx rip John
Bernie Healy Byrne
Aw such a lovely man rip
Karen Mitchell
Rest in peace John
Nuala Bush
RIP John from Nuala and Gally Walby
Louise Nolan
Deepest sympathies to Jenny & all his loved ones. John was a character & had a smile & kind word for everyone. May he rest in peace ♥️
Collette Nolan
Rest in peace John
Aidan Hoey
Condolences to the Connolly family
James Sweeney
Gentleman , legend. RIP John.
Mick O Rourke
rip true gentleman
Susan Condren
Rip john
Susie Kenny
What a lovely gentleman he was!
Mary Moody
RIP Mr Connelly.
Wendy Gammell
Rip John
Ciaran Lang
Rest in peace john
Ian Doyle
Rip john condolence to family &friends
Barry Owens
Rest in peace John.
Joanne Louise Rowe
A gentleman RIPJohn
Sue Heffernan
A lovely gentleman
Deirdre A Kelly
R.I.P John
Emer Mooney
Rachel Connolly so sorry to see this.. love to you all
Cora Pocock
R.I.P
Bernadette Cosgrave
Sincere condolence to John’s family
Fiona Childs
Thinking of all his family at this time. Lovely photo
Janet Farrelly
Thinking of your family at this sad time R.I.P. John a wonderful gentleman . ❤️❤️
Derek Gilbert
Rip.john
John Hallinan
RIP
Louis O’Meara
How sad. My condolences to all the Connolly family. Tony Connolly
Sheila O’dowd
Thinking of your family at this sad time.
John was a gentleman.
R.I.P John
Geraldine Harmon
Very sad to hear this. John was a lovely man .May he rest in peace
Kathleen Oconnor
You were gentleman so sorry
Condolences to Jenny and family
R.I.P JOHN
Gertie Nolan
Condolences to all family and friends. Rest in peace John.
Patrick Taylor
Sad news. John was a lovely man. May he rest in peace. Condolences to the family
Conor Monaghan
Deepest condolences to the Connelly family. John was a lovely man.
Catherine Mitchell
Condolences to all the family a pure gentleman rip
Mary Finn
Condolences to the family R.I.P john
Patrick Scully
Condolences to all the family Leslie
Bernie Campbell
Sincere condolences to the family. John, was a gentleman. RIP John.
Joyce Vickers Taylor
A true and true gentleman RIP John. Condolences to all the family
Simon Kelly
Gentlemen RIP John condolences to all the family
Chris Parslow
Sorry for your loss condolences to all the family
Patrick Delaney
Rest in peace John condolences to all the family
Margaret Duggan
A lovely man . May he rest in peace
Dave Kiernan
Condolences to all the family, RIP Mr Connelly
Henry Gilbert
So sorry to hear this sad news rip John
Charlie Roche
A lovely man. Condolences to his family
Rita Kelly
R.I.P John condolences to Jenny and family
Evelyn Cawley
So sad… May he rest in peace!
You’re a gentleman, John. One of Grattan Park’s finest. X