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Aidan Magennis, Stoneylane, Ardee, died peacefully on June 29th this year surrounded by his loving family.
Aidan was well known throughout Ardee and beyond for his sporting achievements, in particular his inclusion on the 1957 Louth All Ireland panel, as well as his work in St Brigid’s Hospital, where he was a longstanding and respected member of staff for over 40 years.
Aidan was born to James and Mary Magennis and grew up in O’Carroll Street, Ardee with his brothers Eamonn, Dessie, Seamus, Oliver, Barney (all predeceased) Gerry and his sister May.
He started working in St Brigids in 1956 before leaving for a short while to join the gardaí, passing out in 1957.
He returned to St Brigids in March 1958 and his hard work and dedication saw him quickly work his way up the career ladder, excelling in each of the administrative positions he held before moving to Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan in 1974.
St Brigid’s was always his first love, however, and he returned here in 1977, working in a number of roles until his retirement as Senior Executive Officer with the North Eastern Health Board in 2001.
Aidan was instrumental in a large number of developments and improvements in the services provided by the hospital, including mental health services, services for the elderly and the acute hospital services.
Throughout his career, he was always a great advocate for the Louth/Meath Mental Health Group.
A very popular and highly respected senior member of the management team in St Brigid’s, both patients and staff came top of his priority list and he was well known for his ‘open door’ policy at work.
Aidan was on first name terms with those who called to his office and those who met him on his many ward visits.
Even after his retirement in 2001, Aidan continued a close relationship with the hospital, taking a consultancy role to the board and carrying out various assignments in the region.
He truly enjoyed his time with the North Eastern Health Board accomplishing many goals and building relationships along the way.
These weren’t the only goals he accomplished in life however; Aidan was renowned for his talents on the football field as well as in his career, winning many awards in both Gaelic and soccer.
He played for the winning St Mary’s GAA Championship team in 1955 and 1956 and went on to be part of the famous 1957 Louth panel which won the All Ireland final. Many awards, both in Gaelic and soccer,. Many of his sporting achievements weren’t just on the field but also on the sideline, managing and mentoring many St Mary’s teams of all ages as well as the Louth Minors.
He spent three years as a selector for Louth with Declan Smyth in the early 1990s.
He managed the Westerns, Drumconrath to a Junior Championship as well as Hunterstown to a Junior Championship in 1959 aged just 23.
He was also the last man to get Sydan to a Senior Championship final in 1980.
His number one team was always St Marys, however, and his last win with them came as recently as 2010 when he helped them win the Junior League.
Along with his minor medal and All-Ireland medal he also has four Louth championship medals, four Cardinal O’Donnell medals and four Old Gaels Cup medals, all won with Ardee St Mary’s.
In a tribute, St Mary’s GAA club remarked: ‘Aidan’s greatest honour was being part of that famous Louth 1957 panel that won the All Ireland. He won many accolades with his club including playing on the 55 and 56 championship winning sides. Many of his achievements wasn’t just on the field but also on the sideline and was part of many a management team with St Mary’s and Louth. Aidan was also a past Hall of fame winner and was a former president with St Mary’s and will be sadly missed not just by his family but all at Ardee St Marys and Louth GAA.’
The other great love of Aidan’s life was his family, his wife Nancy, children Shirley, Martina, Mary and Adrian and his grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought so much joy to his life.