Kenneally, Jackie
December 21, 2010
Late Jackie Kenneally
Monday, November 29 brought the sad news of the passing of Jackie Kenneally, Skehacrine, Abbeyside, at Dungarvan Community Hospital after a short duration of illness. One of the best known personalities in the locality, virtually everybody living in the West Waterford region who have not at some time or other come in contact with Jackie as he was the proprietor of the well known firm Kenneally's Buses which for many years brought children to school, supporters to the various sporting fixtures, senior citizens on outings and many to bingo sessions and dances.
Jackie's family originated from Curradarra, Aglish, his father not being enamoured by life on the land, moved to Dublin where his three sons Billy, Paddy and Jackie were born. 1924 saw the family back in Waterford and living in Ballybricken for a number of years before moving to Johnstown which became the headquaters of a successful family business, which included ownership of a licensed premises. A wholesale distributing business as well as a city bus service. The arrival of two sisters, Kathleen and Maureen, brought the number of children to five, all indeed involved with some aspect of the family business. Jackie himself was educated at Mt.Sion CBS, became involved in the transport side of the business, the experience gained in the city service was a factor in making up his mind to travel further afield with the bus service which in 1947 the year of the big snow saw him move to Dungarvan to inaugurate a private road passenger service serving the various parishes around the Dungarvan area. Married to Maureen (Nee McGowan), their marriage was blessed with eight children, five boys and three girls. Jackie hailed from a political background, his father William Kenneally was a former Fianna Fail, TD, for Waterford, was Mayor of the city and a former Chairman of the county board of the GAA. Jackie's brother, Billy also took to politics and served as TD for a couple of terms; his son, Brendan, being a TD presently for the Waterford Constituency.
Jackie himself stood for election to the local Urban Council, served two terms but due to commitments of his business had to blow out of politics. Well known and highly respected, Jackie was most popular and possessed a wonderful sense of humour, could always be counted on for a yarn and was gifted storyteller recalling happenings of yesteryear.
His passing severs another link with our youth, as he transported us on various school tours and to the rice cup games with the local CBS. Many of us saw kilochan park and the glorious years of the Blues thanks to Kenneally's buses, yes all of some forty plus years ago.
To have known Jackie was much to be grateful for. We sympathises with his wife Maureen; sons John, Kieran, Bryan, Gerry and Mark; daughters Marianne Mulcahy,
Pat Clancy and Angela Finan; daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, sister Kathleen; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews nieces, other relatives and friends on their loss.
Suaimhneas siorrai tab hair do a Thiarna.
Courtesy of the Waterford News & Star 21/12/10
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