Pearse McKenna Has Passed

The bould Pearse

ad news, as one of Killincarrig’s finest passes away…

Love to all the McKennas, especially Siobhan and Gearóid, and his remarkable wife, Mary.

We’re still not sure about the rest of them…

Here’s Gearóid’s not-a-eulogy from the Holy Rosary on Wednesday, March 23rd 2022…

Niall reminded me yesterday of Dad`s funeral wishes. Always a man for planning, last June, he sent us both an email from Spain outlining his funeral preferences. This was after he had been hospitalised with some serious ailments. Firstly, he chose some of the readings preferences which you will hear today. Secondly, he wanted his grandchildren to participate in the ceremony, so he would be delighted to see you guys here today. He was so proud of you all and loved you so much.

Orla McKenna

He positively did not want a eulogy. Consider this not a eulogy, just a few words about him from us. I think he was probably nervous about what we might say!

Dad was way ahead of his time. A few years back he said he wanted a more environmentally friendly burial. So today we will lay him to rest beside Orla in a thoroughly modern eco-friendly wicker casket.

Dad was born on April 18th, 1932 in Dublin’s Home Farm Road where his parents had settled in the 20`s after their earlier lives in Belfast. He had 4 sisters, Maura, Joan (who passed away in January, so our thoughts are with her and her family) and younger sisters Una and Nuala. He had a great relationship with all his sisters who married 4 fine men who became Dad`s honorary brothers.
Dad and his lifelong friend Brendan Morrissey had great times. We remember stories of them witnessing 2 RAF fighters chasing an errant German bomber over Dalymount strand. Walking down to see the Dubs in Croke.

He went to school in Collaiste Mhuire then followed onto UCD where he studied engineering. Professor Seamus Timoney UCD was a close confident and mentor. They remained close friends

Upon qualifying he worked for the ESB, then went to the UK with de Havilland designing rocket engines, we think this was where he got his fascination with WW2.

He would later go on to set up his own Consulting Engineering practises. Group Design both in Dublin and Dubai, McKenna McCarrick and Engineering Design Associates.

It was in London late ’50s that he met Mammy at the Grotto club in Baker Street.

They started dating, sometime later when they were in Dublin separately, he asked her on a date out to Howth head where he proposed to her. The rest is history.

They moved to Ireland in the early ’60s to raise their family firstly in Glenageary where Siobhan at the age of 3 discovered her networking skills, she was the most popular little girl in the whole neighborhood calling around to see how all the neighbours were keeping. We have great memories of Dad bringing us to Sandycove and Killiney hill to blow off steam and give Mammy a break. Holidays around Ireland staying on farms in Donegal, stays in NI, Sligo, Wexford.

We moved to Greystones in 1973 just after Ronan, the youngest was born. It was mainly here that they raised their 7 wonderful children who never gave them any bother or trouble. Holidays became more exotic, trips to London with Niall and I in the heat wave of ’76 and then a month travelling around France including camping in the hills outside Lourdes. Great memories.

He loved classic cars including a Lancia Delta with its beautiful 5 speed gearbox, steel studded wooden steering wheel, the Daimler V8 in British racing green, wire spoked wheels with walnut dashboard. His love of cars was encouraged by our very own Fr Paddy.

Dad liked doing things around the house and keeping a nice garden. He loved going for walks and always had a dog, particularly Kerrie Blues. But his passion was travel. Despite Mammy being a home bird, she nearly always went with him, except for a trip to Washington to stay with Bela and John (too long on the plane for Mammy). She was telling us over the weekend of all the exotic places they visited and amazing experiences they had. Mammy is grateful for these experiences and all the interesting people they met, all due to Pearse’s nudging.

A few years ago they went on a road trip to Spain accompanied by Ronan and Jack to do the driving down then fly home leaving them there for a few months. The lads turned up with 2 small bags for the trip and he queried where they were going to put these as he had packed half the house into the car including 2 TV`s/screens several computers, a few kilometers of cable/connectors to keep him connected to the wider world, keeping a close eye on tyrants. Also were included 1 and a half libraries of books and the dog.

Sporting wise his favourite team is Munster rugby. It was pointed out to him many times that he is a Dub from Leinster so what are you doing supporting Munster?? His logic here was that Leinster are posh from D4 and that Munster are the salt of the earth. He loved the passion that Stringer and ROG brought to the game. Dad definitely enjoyed being controversial sometimes.

I have no idea who- if any political party he voted for, I don’t think he had much time for any party but had strong views on politics. I would guess he would be centre left. He deeply cared about social issues, the traveller community, equality, freedom of expression. He would be quick to praise good politics no matter what side it came from. Recently, on a visit to him in his dying bed he was very concerned that they couldn’t pass the Irish Language Act in Stormont and that it would have to go to Westminster for passing. So, think of him when it passes.

However, history was another matter. He loved reading and had an impressive library of books, particularly history books. Whenever we visited, he would spend an age telling recounts of WW2 battles to great detail while serving up his best Paella. He loved cooking. In recent years he was very interested in Spanish history and studied Franco. It was like he was building up a prosecutor’s case against Franco. I pity Franco if he ever encounters this Dub.

He was interested in Spanish art, literature and read El Pais daily in Spanish. He loved spending time in Tapas bars meeting the locals for a glass of wine, some food watching Barca or Real.

Dad was not a touchy-feely sort of guy. Speaking for myself, when I was younger, we had some difficulties but at some point, managed to call it a draw. We became great friends once the father/son complications were put behind us. As in all large families, there may have been bumps over the years. But I can say with certainty that he deeply loved and cared for each and every one of us. He also loved all our partners and was really proud to have you in the family.

Mrs McKenna and Siobhan

Finally, Mammy, you were married for nearly 61 years and are truly his soulmate. He was always saying that he was probably going to go first and for us to make sure you were looked after. It was a great relief to him that you are back in Greystones, living with Dermot and Pla with most of us living locally, even though you are quite independent and don’t need much.

Whilst it was hard for you over the last 8 months visiting and seeing him in hospital it was lovely to see the affection you shared, holding each other’s hands and seeing how much you cared for each other. He really loved you.

And he was really loved…