The late Franco Kelly Franco Kelly was the man of the three counties. He lived and was loved in his native Kerry, Clare, Galway and indeed all over Ireland. Everybody knew him and he knew everyone. Franco passed away at his adopted home in Barna on the 30th October last and he will be greatly missed. Franco Kelly was born in Tarbert 72 years ago and sport was his passion from an early age. Playing GAA for his club he represented north Kerry in the county championship. He went on to play rugby for Tralee, Listowel, Young Munster and Abbeyfeale with whom he won a Munster Junior Cup in 1964. Indeed he kicked the winning penalty in the final. In 1968 Franco and his wife Therese opened The Coast Road Inn just outside Tarbert. The hotel was a resounding success with Kerry's first purpose built steakhouse. Therese and Franco worked as a team but with the arrival of a young family the two moved across the Shannon and opened up Kelly's of Killimer. Again it was a huge draw. Franco was a loveable rogue and everyone enjoyed his stories but he had an enduring honesty and a fierce loyalty to his friends. The pub hours proved to be too long and Franco worked for a number of years in Moneypoint power station. As his close friend John B Keane remarked 'Franco, you always brought light into our lives.' And indeed he did. Franco was as popular in Clare as he was in Kerry. Again for family reasons Franco moved to Barna in Galway where he and his beloved Therese set up Driftwood, a guesthouse. Franco always had to be near the water and even though he loved people it seems his greatest pleasure was to be found walking on the shore or in the company of his family. He settled into Galway as if he was a returning native and threw himself into the community but his heart was always in Kerry. Franco joined The Kerry Association in Galway and journeyed home every chance he got and how he loved a day at the races. His golf classic known as the Franco Cup provided much needed funds for the charity LINK. Franco never put himself first and when he died his many friends travelled from all over Ireland to his funeral. The burial day was as much a celebration of a life spent in the service of family and friends as a religious experience. There was a beautiful ceremony and of course there had to be a sing song. There was a moving graveside rendition of The Rose of Tralee from Franco's old Tarbert pals Finbar Carrig and James Murphy. Franco is survived by his life partner Therese who always stood by him and with him. His children Kirk, Ellen, Ciara, Claire and Noel loved him and speak of him as if he was their best friend. His grandson Tom who knew him as Poppers was mad about his grandfather. His pals might say of him "he was always in good form." Goodbye France. The parting is eased by the thought that today we know you walk on heaven's shore. No man deserves it more. - Courtesy of The Kerryman, 3rd December 2008 Tweet

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