Denis McAuliffe was born in 1951 to Mick and Josie in Mein, Knocknagoshel and was the third in a family of four, that included Kitty, Flor and Paud.

He attended school in Meenleitrim, then St. Patrick's College in Castleisland before going to Agricultural College in Clonakilty and later to Kinnity Castle, Co. Offaly.

In 1977, he married Peg Leahy of Reacashla, Brosna and they in turn had four children, Noirin, Mike, Flor and Denis. Denis farmed in Reacashla and also worked with the Department of Agriculture for 40 years, retiring only last February.

Denis was a GAA fanatic and form the minute his children were able to walk, he had them out in the yard kicking a ball. He travelled all over the country to football matches and instilled a great passion for GAA in his family.
He relished seeing Kerry beat Tyrone in Killarney last summer and even when he was unable to attend matches owing to illness, his interest never waned and he was always eager to hear all about the game and who had played well.
Denis was an extremely outgoing and sociable person who loved people. He thoroughly enjoyed working with the Department of Agriculture and was never as happy as when he was heading off in his car to work, meeting farmers and his work colleagues. These workmates became life-long friends and were a source of great happiness to Denis.
He was a tremendous worker and simply would not stop from morning until night. He never talked about all he did or what he had to do - he just did it. The busier he was, the happier he was. He had a wonderful saying that he often used: "If you in the morning throw minutes away, you will not pick them up in the course of the day." Denis never wasted one second of his life.
He loved working, he loved people; but above all he loved family. There was nothing that he would not do for his family. Anything they ever wanted for, he provided, with a heart and a half. Denis was an amazing motivator of his family and drove them on to be the best they could be, always pushing himself and those around him to excel. Reading played a big role in his life and he had a great love of current affairs and politics, topics that he loved to debate with anyone he met over a cup of tea or a pint of Guinness.
When Denis' illness began to affect his life in January last year, it was difficult for this proud, outgoing man but the accepted it with great dignity, never once complaining. He kept positive and his attitude was admirable.
Denis is sadly missed by his loving wife Peg, daughter Noirin, sons Mike, Flor and Paud, son-in-law Paul, daughter-in-law Louise, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and wide circle of neighbours and friends.
Denis was a very happy, friendly man in whose company it was always a pleasure to be. He touched the heart of everyone who was lucky enough to know him. Lives of great men, all remind us; we can make our lives sublime.
And departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.

- Kerry's Eye, 13th December 2012 Tweet

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