My Greystones: Shay Monahan

It all started in the Forester’s Hall in Delgany, 58 years ago.

Two teenagers, Shay Monahan from Bray and Joan Redmond from Greystones, clicked. Big time.

Today, they’re 53 years married, with four kids, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Out of all of them, granddaughter Faye is their absolute favourite – according to Faye, of course. Then again, she does share her grandfather’s sense of humour.

When I called into Shay at the Grattan Park home the Monahans have lived in for over 50 years, I quickly realised just how much of an integral part of Greystones’ living history this man is. Sure, didn’t the man go into battle for us? Just like Joe Sweeney, Derek Paine and Brigid Mooney, Shay Monahan has been there, done that, and he has a million and one Greystones stories to prove it.

Sadly, quite a few of them are just too rich for a family newspaper such as The Greystones Guide, but, suffice to say, we spent the afternoon chuckling about everything from the unofficially reserved seating around the big open fire that once dominated the back of The Beach House bar – aka, Shay’s Office – to the strange case of the missing fixtures and fittings that were bought for Round 1 of the harbour development. 

Looking great for 76, Shay doesn’t look at all like a man who recently had a quadruple-bypass, or is currently three years into a five-year trial of pills and thrills – courtesy of pharmaceutical giant Bayer – as he battles “the quare fella”. Shay is one of only 12 people undergoing these experimental trials and, thankfully, so far, so great. The man doesn’t look a day over 75.

Which is good news for his kids, Keith, Margaret, Alan and Louise, not to mention all those grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But it’s also good news for Greystones.

As time does its thing, and our town changes bit by bit, day by day, it’s more than reassuring, it’s downright feckin’ wonderful, that funny, friendly, deep and ever-so-slightly devilish characters like Shay Monahan are amongst us. Such people are truly what makes Greystones great…

Sadly, on the morning of Wednesday, August 14th 2019, Shay Monahan passed away. Reposing at home from 2pm on Thursday; removal Friday morning to the Holy Rosary Church. Funeral mass is at 10am, followed by internment in Redford Cemetery.