Sneem adoptee but ‘average’

in Germany. He had a great love of fishing and hunting. He even helped with the supervision of fishing at the Long Lake and also in the Blackwater River.

Charlie also had a remarkable eye for top quality tools and equipment and was most adept at purchasing such at bargain prices. His garage in both Tahilla and Germany bore testament to this. Charlie was also most generous with both his time and his equipment. He never forgot to bring expensive gifts to Mary and me following any of his trips back home.

Charlie also had a huge passion for car rallying. He was very surprised by the poor rescue facilities available during the Rally of the Lakes in the 80s and decided to do something practical about it. As was his wont his didn’t ever believe in half measures. Accordingly he went over to Sweden where his purchased a most versatile all-terrain Rescue Vehicle called a ‘Unimog’ .

At his own expense he fitted it out with the most up-to-date rescue equipment and spent the whole Rally Weekend on call. In the course of one rescue call out it is said that he covered the eight mile journey to the scene of the accident with his rescue vehicle in less time than most of the rally cars. He was a most skilful driver.

Following the break-up of his marriage to Sabina, Charlie returned to Germany, having left the home in Tahilla to his son Steven. He met and married Veronica, a Secondary school teacher and they bought a large property in Funfseen which he proceeded to refurbish to a remarkably high standard. I visited Charlie and Veronica there last year when I heard about Charlie’s diagnosis with cancer. Despite his illness Charlie and Veronica provided me with a most memorable holiday, driving me to all the beautiful attractions in his area of the former East Germany.

My most abiding memory however is that of his new home there. I always had accepted that he loved Sneem and Ireland, that he enjoyed Gaelic songs like ‘Mo Ghile Mear’ but I was quite gobsmacked to see that he had named his German home ‘Celtic House’.

In addition, he had painted his home in a variety of vibrant colours, had adorned his walls with Irish shamrocks and had himself painted a magnificent ‘Celtic Sun’ on one gable. His home stands out like a beacon on an otherwise mono-coloured streetscape and he told me that his inspiration came from all the brightly coloured homes of Sneem.

Charlie often remarked down through the years that ‘Life ain’t easy.’ Following his diagnosis with cancer last year whilst still only in his early 60s, life was certainly not easy for Charlie or indeed his wife, Veronica.

However, he bore his illness with great courage and dignity until he finally succumbed on September 28th.

Following cremation Charlie’s ashes were laid in a very tranquil setting in a deciduous forest near his home.

Indeed it was quite like his former home in Tahilla. During a very moving funeral ceremony recordings of Danny Boy and the Fields of Athenry were played. To acknowledge the esteem in which he was held by many in Ireland, there was also a live rendition of ‘S’é mo laoch mo ghile mear’.

My sincere sympathy and indeed that of his many friends in Sneem and throughout Kerry to Sabina, to Steven and especially to Veronica and her son Marten. Veronica had devoted herself to looking after Charlie with such great care right to the end and is understandably devastated.

Yes, Charlie Wagner was certainly not an ‘average man’ but a remarkably talented and unique man with a genuine grá for Sneem and Tahilla.

Táimíd cinnte nach mbeidh a leithéid ann arís.

Karl Wagner, left, and the home he retired to back in his native Germany after decades in Sneem which he christened Celtic House in memory of his beloved Kerry.