Legendary London publican, Castleisland native Tom Greaney is widely mourned
IT is with great sadness we announce the death of Thomas, (Tom) Greaney, a native of Camp Road, Castleisland, Co Kerry and former Landlord of the Kenilworth Castle Pub, Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, London, and the Alexandra Pub, Westbourne Park, London.
Tom passed away on 20th July 2017, at University Hospital, Waterford after a short illness.
He had resided at Rathcairn in the beautiful village of Mooncoin, Kilkenny, for the past 20 years.
The late Tom was one of five children born to Maurice and Margret Greaney in 1937.
His father Maurice was a well known cattle dealer who specialised in purchasing white head calves, having an annual contract to supply as many as possible to the Jameson Brothers of Roscommon.
His mother Margaret was originally Carmody from Killbawn, Ballymacelligott. She returned from America and married Maurice Greaney, a native of Meenala, Ballymacleligott, whom she knew before leaving for the States.
At the tender age of 16 years, Tom with his three brothers emigrated to London, where he worked as a plastering contractor.
This was in 1953 and the curse of emigration was then taking our best and noble boys and girls in droves.
Having developed a back problem, not unusual in the plastering game, he retired from all building work and became Landlord of the Kenilworth Castle and later the Alexandra Pub.
Here he served for almost 30 years when he returned to Ireland and took up residence in the picturesque village of Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny.
Tom visited his native Castleisland every year and could be seen caring for his parents and his brother’s graves during his annual trips.
He also liked to socialise with his Knocknagoshel cousins, the Murphys and also his relatives in Ballymacelligott, Meenleitrim, Killarney, Castleisland and Currow.
He also visited London where his daughter Valerie, and son David and families reside.
Sadly his oldest son Norman passed away in his early forties recently and this caused the late Tom great distress and sadness.
Tom enjowed life to the full. He visited Croke Park as often as possible especially if his native Kerry were in a final.
He always enjoyed a flutter on the horses and was well in the know to give a tip, having retained and kept in touch with his London racings contacts
Tom, who was just a week short of his 80th Birthday was laid to rest in Foulkstone Cemetery, Kilkenny after Requiem Mass in Ballybricken Church, Waterford City.
London, and his native Castleisland and Kerry were well represented at his funeral on both days.
He is survived by his loving wife Ann,( Mooncoin), his daughter Valerie, his son David, London and grandchildren, brothers Jim,( Galway), Moss (Thurles), sisters in law, Mary Greaney, Galway, Mary Greaney, Killarney, nephews, Christopher, Timothy, Sean , Anthony, niece, Linda, Galway and extended family, relatives and friends in both Kilkenny, Galway, London and Kerry.
He is also sadly missed by his first cousin, Donal Murphy, Tralee, who was exceptionally close to Tom both in London and later in Ireland.
Tom was predeceased by his older sister May Gleason, Thurles and brother Jack, Killarney, and also his wife Ann McGill, a native of Longford.
May the green sod of his adopted county Kilkenny rest lightly on his gentle body.
He followed the Black and Amber of Kilkenny just as eagerly and faithfully as he did the green and gold of Kerry. Slán go fóill a Thomáis a chara.
May he rest in peace. Beannacht Dé leis a anam dílis.