McKenna, Jack
August 31, 2011Jack was born in Manorhamilton in November 1921. He attended the old national school on the Ross Lane where he was taught by Master McGrath. While still at primary school he became a member of the 6th Leitrim troop of Manorhamilton Boy Scouts under scout Master Vincent Keaney and his assistant Stephen Murphy.
Jack was one of the first pupils of Manorhamilton Technical School which opened in 1935 and he completed several years at that institution. He was a useful footballer and played on the local Sean McDermott's minor team in 1938 and 1939.
He was also developing an interest in the entertainment field and organised some concerts and plays in St. Clare's Hall around this time. In 1940 he decided to further this pursuit by joining the playwright Louis Dalton's troupe of actors - one of the many fitup companies that were then touring Ireland.
When Dalton died in 1951 Jack became owner-manager of the troupe, which by then had become known as the Dublin Repertory Theatre Company. The troupe had a summer residency in Killarney and toured the country during the rest of the year.
Jack brought the group annually to Manorhamilton where it performed for several nights in the Park Cinema. Prominent members of the cast at the time were John Cowley, Annie Dalton, Moira Deady and Bob Carrickford - all of whom would go on to star in 'The Riordans" drama series in RTE during the 1960s and 1970s.
Jack married Joan Kennedy of Ennis in 1958 and soon afterwards withdrew from the repertory company. He and Joan settled in Killarney where he became manager of the local golf club.
In 1965 Jack joined the RTE as head of production services, with responsibility for wardrobe, make-up, construction design, props and staging. He held this position with the national broadcasting station until he retired in 1991.
He had received the Director General's award in 1980 'in recognition of distinguished personal contribution to RTE,' following his work on 'Strumpet City'.
Jack is survived by his daughters Mary and Cathy; sons John, Brian and Marcus; sister Peggy (Sr. Mary Felix, Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, Graymoor, NY); brothers Fr Joe (Bundoran) and Hugh (Manorhamilton); sister-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. May he rest in peace.
- Courtesy of Sligo Champion, August 31st 2011 Tweet
