The Late Denis Kearney Well known and highly regarded solicitor Mr Denis Kearney, who was a native of Castlewellan, died at the age of 64 at his home in Belfast after a short illness. The former pupil of St Malachy's Primary School, Castlewellan, and St Patrick's High School, Downpatrick, always retained his connections with the Castlewellan area, and also kept a Newcastle office and summer home for many years. These were evidence of what his brother Liam described as Denis's "wonderful affection for County Down." After studying at Queen's University in Belfast in the early 1960s, Denis taught Irish and English for four years before turning to his true vocation, the law. He subsequently opened up his own solicitor's firm in Belfast, which he successfully built up over the years into Kearney Sefton Solicitors with partner Victor Sefton. A keen sportsman, Denis won minor and senior County Championships with Castlewellan GAC and as a fullback represented a combined universities team at Croke Park. Denis, his childhood friend James McKinney and close friends Kevin Mussen and Jarlath Carey, known as the 'Big Four' all enjoyed their sport, from Gaelic football to rugby and golf, an for many years often travelled the length and breadth of Ireland to pursue this passion. Denis was present for Down's hat-trick of All-Ireland victories in the 1960s, and was quite rightly described by his friends as "a Down man through and through." It was on many of these trips that another of Denis' talents, his singing voice, shone through. Friends said there was always a singsong when Denis was around, as he was someone who seemed to know the words to every song going. Away from sport Denis was very much into the arts and theatre, and as a "voracious reader" was an active member of the Linenhall Library in Belfast. He was a "literate and legal institution," always ready to debate the topic of the day, on which he could always hold his own. In addition to being a religious man (he once presented Pope John Paul II with a shamrock in Rome on St Patrick's Day), Denis was also devoted to his late mother, and was a keen traveller who along with wife Roisin visited the "four corners of the world" over the years. James McKinney described his friends as a "great family man," someone whose house was always open. He said: "He was warm, caring and hugely generous and his children and grandchildren were his life. The atmosphere in his house was indicative of the man as he always had a smile, right up to the end. "Denis had incredible support throughout but with his wife Roisin and children Gavin and Paula around him, it was the best manifestation of love I have ever seen. "He was positive the whole way through (his illness) and never complained. He was a man with a huge personality and presence who loved life. "Denis was a very modest and humble man, and it was a privilege for all of us to have known him so well." Castlewellan Councillor Eamonn O'Neill said everyone was saddened and heartbroken to hear of Denis death. "He was highly liked and well regarded , with a wide circle of friends, and he always had a particular attachment to Castlewellan," said Cllr O'Neill. "He has left a big gap and will be sorely missed." Denis ashes were interred at Bryansford Cemetery following a service at the Good Shepherd on Belfast's Ormeau Road. GL Courtesy of the Mourne Observer 10th August 2005 Tweet

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