Tributes paid to marts stalwart
TRIBUTES have been paid to Gortatlea Mart founder Seán Brosnan, who passed away surrounded by family in University Hospital Kerry Palliative Care in recent days.
Seán (83) was best known for 45 years in mart management, beginning in Castleisland in the mid-1960s before founding Gortatlea Mart in 1982, with no little help from friends, family, supporters, and of course his wife, Imelda. Their daughter, Juliette, this week told The Kerryman that her parents were always together and formed “a partnership like no other”.
“He was always known as a pure gentlemen, and that was something that shone through in the condolences we received,” she said.
“He was a mart manager for almost all his life, and he had a name for looking after the small farmer: it wasn’t all about the big money with him.
“Farmers who would have been more isolated, he always looked after them and welcomed them warmly to the mart,” she added.
One of 14 children – seven boys, seven girls – of John and Elizabeth Brosnan in Tullig, he grew up on the family farm and developed a keen interest in the cattle trade from a young age. With his brother, Mossy, he travelled to fairs throughout Munster, trading as ‘ The Brosnan Brothers’.
His early years also included working at his aunt’s store – TH Murphy’s Hardware – and weekend dances in Farranfore and Scartaglen.
He emigrated to Chicago in the 1960s to work in the building trade, before taking up the management role at Castleisland Mart upon his return.
Seán also gained a reputation as a fearsome flanker, representing Castleisland and Garryowen on the rugby field.
He retired from his role in Gortatlea in 2014, after which his nephew, Maurice, became Gortatlea’s manager, a role he still holds.
Juliette paid tribute to the wonderful care her father received in later years, including from University Hospital Kerry Palliative Care and from Home Care over the past three years.
“The care they provided was exceptional,” Juliette said, “not only to him, but to us as a family.
“He is predeceased by 12 siblings, and is mourned by his sister, Joanie
Casey. We would also like to mention my eldest sister Eilish, who is in Chicago, and his grandchildren in Chicago: Seán, James, and Eadoin.”
Gortatlea Mart – managed by Seán’s nephew, Maurice – paid tribute to its founder and held a minute’s silence in his memory last Friday.
In a statement issued to The Kerryman, Gortatlea said Seán’s ownership and management allowed him the freedom to follow a dream.
“Seán’s priority was always to ensure that farmers were rewarded with good prices for their cattle; his advice and assistance was always available to them,” the mart said. “He built a relationship of trust and understanding with customers, buyers, and staff, and was rewarded with loyalty and appreciation throughout the 32 years of his reign.
“Seán was big in stature but gentle and generous of nature. He was a great businessman and a great friend especially to those experiencing difficulties... his life, Seán encountered triumph and disaster and dealt with each with fortitude and courage,” the mart’s statement added, before paying tribute and sympathies also to Seán’s family.
Seán Brosnan was laid to rest in St John’s Cemetery, Castleisland, following his Funeral at the Church of Saints Stephen and John.
He is mourned by his wife, Imelda; daughters, Eilish, Reidín, Bríd, Juliette and Shauna; nine grandchildren; sister, Joanie; nephews; nieces; brothers-, sisters-, and sons-in-law; relatives; neighbours; and friends.