Vincent’s death is end of an era

ON SATURDAY, March 4, the peaceful death at his home, occurred of Vincent O’Keeffe of the village of Portmagee and latterly of Coromore, Valentia Island, after a short illness.

Born on November 9, 1933, Vincent was as much a part of the village as the waters on its shores. His pub, the Bridge Bar in the centre of the village, which he first operated in 1958, was the social hub of many community activities down through the years.

His daughter, Patricia and her husband, Gerard Kennedy, took over the management in 1988. Vincent, in similarity to the late great Listowel publican John B Keane, had a great ability to relate stories and anecdotes regarding the activities, sayings and witticisms of local and much loved characters who frequented his premises through the years

A teetotaller, he was a huge presence in the community, even transcending the communities of not only Portmagee, but the Glen and Valentia as well.

He was involved in GAA affairs, playing hurling with a South Kerry combination in the fifties, and was also the President of the Skellig Rangers club. He was also deeply immersed in darts, greyhounds and ran a bus hackney hire business for many years.

Indeed, Vincent was a very familiar daily presence in the environs of Valentia as he operated his mini-bus school run and also transported under-age footballers to various venues.

He also had a an affinity and great respect for the elderly in the community and was a regular visitor to the Valentia Hospital to chat with such people.

The death of Vincent O’Keeffe sees the end of an era and the demise of a very significant part of the village of Portmagee, where he was an ever present. His Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Fr David Gunn, PP of the Parish of Prior; Fr Gerard Finucane, PP of Waterville; Fr Pat Sugrue of Dromid and Fr Mchael Collins of Maynooth.

Eulogies on his behalf were rendered from the pulpit by his daughters Patricia and Deirdre. As befitted his musical family, the combined choirs of Portmagee Parish, in association with members of the Fuamlaoi Maynooth Seminary Choir and organist John O’Keeffe of Maynooth ( Vincent’s son) performed at the Mass.

Radio Kerry’s Gary O’Sullivan of Portmagee gave a solo singing rendition and the Uileann pipes were played at the graveside by Ronan McDonagh.

Sincere sympathy is expressed to his wife Ina, sons John, Vincent and Kevin, daughters Patricia and Deirdre, daughter-in-law Gráinne, sons-in-law Gerard and Gearóid, grandchildren, grand daughter-in-law, great grandchildren and all others concerned. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.