Pa makes his last trip across the Sally Gap The mortal remains of Pa Brennan were recently returned to his native home for the last time. Fittingly, the funeral cortege travelled from the mortuary at Tallaght hospital along the Military Road and across the Sally Gap, a journey that Pa had made hundreds of times over the years. A huge crowd gathered at St Laurence O'Toole Church in Roundwood, Co Wicklow, a member of the well known Wicklow family which owned 'The Vartry House' and was the second eldest of seven children of Malachy and Elizabeth Brennan. His father Malachy was a long serving member of Fianna Fail and was a Roundwood representative on Wicklow County Council for more than 20 years. His mother Elizabeth was a member of the well known Lynch family of Watersbridge, Roundwood and was the teacher in the local National School. From Roundwood National Schooling, Pa went on to Belcamp College in Raheny. On his return to Roundwood in 1946 he began worked with Irish Life and stayed with them until 1955. The return to Wicklow heralded the blossoming of Pa's football career and he played predominantly with Roundwood although he also made appearances for Moneystown and Ballinastoe. A powerful midfielder, Pa played his part in securing two championship and two Schweppes Cup victories for Roundwood. Whilst later living in Cork, Pa settled well into life in the city and worked as resident inspector with the Law Union and Rock. Over many years he forged several strong friendships and became more and more involved in hunting and shooting. It was also in Cork that he met his wife to be, Pauline Lougnhane from Kerry and they were married in 1961 in St Mary's Cathedral, Killarney. Over the next number of years Pauline gave birth to five sons. As Pa's business career developed , so too did his shooting hobby and he forged many lifetime friendships in both disciplines. A founding member of Bishopstown Gun Club, he worked actively with the NARGC in propagation and conservation of game species. By 1970, Pa and his family had moved to Dublin and settled in the growing suburb of Clondalkin. At this stage, he had founded his own investment and insurance brokerage and over the next 30 years his business flourished with clients in Cork, Dublin, Wicklow and many counties in between. It would be no exaggeration to say that Pa truly loved shooting and fishing and as his boys grew, he delighted in introducing them to the sport, so much so that to this day they are all still avid sportsmen. Pa bred hunting dogs, in particular English Settlers and quickly developed a reputation for always having great dogs. Apart from the pure enjoyment and love he had for the sport, he continued his work on the administrative and conservation side and was a founding member of both Midland and Woodbrook Gun Clubs and worked tirelessly to keep business and commercial interests out of the sport. Living so close to Wicklow, Pa's interest in the county grew stronger and with both sporting and business interests, rarely a week would go by without one or more visits. With friendships spanning over half a century, he became a well respected and much loved member of the community of Roundwood, Laragh and Glendalough region and this was borne out by one of the largest funerals in Roundwood in many a year. People who knew Pa will remember him as a generous and caring man who lived life to the full, loved people and left an indelible impression on anyone who met him wherever he travelled. His mortal remains were interred in the family plot in Glendalough Cemetery, perhaps one of the most beautiful scenic places in Ireland and no doubt his spirit is now at peace amongst the hills and valleys of his beloved county. He is survived by his wife Pauline and five sons; Tomas, Philip, Shane, Patrick and Garech. - Courtesy of The Wicklow People, March 26th 2008 Tweet

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