December 1st dawned of, the very sad death of the unsung hero of South Tipperary. Pakie Brennan was born in the picturesque village of Ardfinnan beneath the shadow of the castle and the world famous Ardfinnan Woollen Mill- on the banks of his beloved Suir. There he grew up with his parents and his older brother John. The parents ran a very successful and thriving business where it was possible to buy a bag of fertiliser or even something as mundane as a pair of shoe laces. John and Pakie attended the local primary school adjacent to their home and the parish church. They later transferred to Mount Melleray Senibary for their secondary education. There they both made many life long friends. Pakie was to become an outstanding scholar, gaining many hours in the classics and in Gaelic Language. He displayed wonderful skill in Gaelic football, hurling and handball. As students there in 1940-45 we all experienced rationing and and a fair degree of austerity. Plenty of wholemeal bread baked by the monks- very little tit-bits or niceties in those days. In our disrespectful teenage years, we felt we were serving penal servitude! As we grew older and matured somewhat, we deeply appreciate the good education we received. Ironically, in pretelevision and I.T days, we learned about the social life in Athens and even gleaned a bit about night life and debauchery that went on in the Port of Pireaus especially when the traders from the East came in port to barter their goods! We had to take part in the lengthy Holy Week Ceremonies sung so eloquently by the monks- in Latin of course. I suppose as wild teenagers 'endured' would be a more fitting word. No Easter holidays for students at the time- later rescinded when the monks realised clothes were getting shabby and tabby and the students were generally dishevelled. They felt it might be as good to send them home for a refit! Despite the austerity, the college produced many priests, doctors and teachers who laboured diligently in far flung fields. I appreciate I have digressed but I hope it gives a flavour for what life was like in a boarding school during the war years. On leaving Mount Melleray John joined the family business, which he later inherited. In addition, he became a very prominent and astute County Councillor and his advice and guidance was much appreciated by the people of South Tipperary. Pakie joined the clerical staff of the E.S.B where he spent the rest of his life- residing in Dublin. He met Peggy, an American girl whom he married and enjoyed an extremely happy and full life together. They travelled extensively and it is probably true to say they visited most countries in the world. Pakie played hurling and football for his beloved Ardfinnan, played football for Tipperary and Munster in the now defunct Railway Cup. His home is decorated with numerous medals, trophies and shields obtained during his playing days. He also played both football and hurling for many renowned clubs in Dublin. He was an accomplished golfer and he even played a bit of soccer! whilst a student, the Trappist Monks would not tolerate those foreign games. You played Gaelic and you gave your all in keeping with the school motto "Semper Laborare est orare." About seven years ago, he suffered a severe stroke which confined him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. What a blow to such a fine athlete of wonderful physique. nevertheless, this did not dim his wonderful sense of humour and wit. He was greatly encouraged by the loving and dedicated care received by Peggy. She was always thrilled to welcome the many and faithful friends who visited his home while he was ill. Pat Stakelum was an ardent and frequent caller and no doubt they discussed Tipperary Hurling. Oh! how overjoyed he was when Babs Keating from his neighbouring parish of Grange and Theo English from Marlfield burst on the scene. Look what South Tipperary is doing for Tipperary hurling he used to utter! His Gaelic was fluent and he used it at every opportunity- the salutation always in that tongue! When I called to see him in Beaumont Hospital, it was obvious he was slipping but the great sense of humour and wit was still very much in evidence. His funeral was a very moving and touching occasion at the Church of the Nativity in Beaumont on December 3rd. Many wonderful comments on the music provided on the harp by the soloist who rendered such beautiful hymns in both Gaelic and Latin. A service which befitted such a noble character! Many representatives of the GAA from various parts of Tipperary, Dublin, the Tipperary Association, colleagues from the E.S.B., very many friends and relatives were present at the service. Also in attendance was his great friend Micheal O Muirceartaighh.Truly a great Irishman and a very proud Tipperary man was laid to rest in Fingal cemetery. "Ar Dheis De go raibh a h-anam dilis." A Cairde gael. Tipperary Star, 13/12/08 Tweet

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