Danny is missed by family and friends
THE passing of time has not eased the heartache for the family and friends of young Wexfordman Danny Barnes who died tragically in a car accident three months ago.
Danny (24) of Westlands is survived and sadly missed every day by his parents Geraldine and Sean; his brothers Shane and Adam; his partner Leanne; son Malachaí and step-daughter Karlie; by his aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and many friends.
He was predeceased by his older brother Nicky who died in 2011 at the age of 23.
The third son of Sean and Geraldine, he was born and brought home from Wexford hospital just as the family was moving to a newly-built house at 1, Westlands and he enjoyed a happy childhood in a busy and boisterous household as one of four boys who shared a close-knit bond.
Danny started primary school in St. John’s Road before moving to the CBS primary and later CBS secondary school. A keen young sportsman he excelled at soccer, hurling, football and boxing.
He played U13 soccer for Wexford and lined out with Wexford Albion until a knee injury set him back. He played football with St. Mary’s GAA Club in Maudlintown, winning U12 and U14 County Championships and wielded a hurl with the Faythe Harriers winning U14 and U16 county titles and reaching the County Minor Hurling final.
The son of Sean Barnes, a well-known boxing coach with Na Fianna Club, it was only a matter of time before Danny tried his hand at boxing and at the age of 14, he spent a year with the Ballagh Boxing Club where his dad was coaching at the time.
After leaving school, the joined the KDK scaffolding company in Enniscorthy where he trained as a scaffolder, starting work on the very same day as his brother Shane. One of the first projects they worked on, along with their cousin Darren, was a long-term contract at Great Island Power Station in Campile which at its height employed over 700 people including many workers from abroad.
It was Danny’s first job in construction and he enjoyed the camaraderie on site and the chance to travel to work every day with his brother and cousin. After the Campile project which lasted for about three years, he worked with KDK on jobs at Intel in Galway, Glanbia in Waterford and various contracts in Dublin.
In his spare time, he kept and raced greyhounds, following the example of his dad, and he was a member of Wexford Coursing Club. From a young age, he also enjoyed going out lamping for rabbits with his father and brothers.
Danny was known for his cheeky laugh which you’d often hear before you even saw him. He was always having a joke with people and getting them to see the funny side of things. He had an irrepressible energy about him and was always in an upbeat mood.
His older brother Nicky died tragically when Danny was 18 years old and he felt his loss greatly. He looked up to Nicky and loved him as he did all his brothers. Nicky’s passing left an unfillable gap in the dynamic of the foursome and the close-knit Barnes family.
Danny had a great respect for people and had a charm about him which endeared him to others. He showed great affection towards all children and in return they loved him, especially at family get-togethers where he was guaranteed kisses and hugs as soon as he arrived.
It was very touching that at 11am on the morning of Danny’s funeral 448 pupils in Kennedy Park School, close to where the accident happened, lit a candle and prayed for him. This is something that would have meant so much to him and his family found the gesture very moving and so thoughtful.
He met Leanne in 2011 and their son Malachaí, now five years old, was born in February 2013, offering a new sign of hope and happiness to the family following Nicky’s death. Danny was 19 when he became a dad and he adapted to fatherhood with a maturity, pride and sense of responsibility which belied his youth. It was imortant to him to be a good father.
One of the photographs treasured by the family was taken a few days before Danny died and is of Sean, Danny and Malachaí together at a weekend coursing meeting in Clonmel, the first time that they brought Malachy to the event.
As the photograph of the three generations was being taken, Sean thought to himself, this will be nice to have when I’m gone. He never imagined for a second that Danny would go before him.
Danny also adored his step-daughter Karlie (8) and showered her with the same love that he showed his son.
A huge gathering of grief-stricken family members and friends attended his funeral Mass in Bride Street Church, including friends who travelled from abroad to pay their last respects and to listen to a heart-rending eulogy delivered by his brother Shane.
There is a tree in Westlands which locals call ‘The Nest’ where children have played for many years during the summer, often hiding in the thick foliage so no-one can see them.
After Nicky died, Paddy, a carpenter friend of the Barnes brothers who grew up with him, erected a marble plaque on the tree with an inscription in Irish which translates as ‘sometimes from the darkest place comes the brightest light’ along with Nicky’s dates of birth and death. The plaque was arranged and purchased by Nicky’s friends.
Now living in Australia, Paddy returned for Danny’s funeral and erected a second plaque on the tree which was organised and bought by Danny’s friends. It is inscribed with his nickname ‘The Bould Dan - 1993 - 2018’ and was put up during a small ceremony attended by his pals who sometimes gather there to remember him.
Like Nicky, Danny was cremated at Newlands Cross Crematorium in Dublin following an emotional ceremony during which Shane read a tribute written by Danny’s closest friend Anthony Roche in which he spoke with affection and sadness about the times they great shared growing up together.
The song ‘Follow Me’ by Uncle Kracker was played as this was the last song Danny’s family fondly remember him singing.
Danny will be loved always and missed so much by all his family and wide circle of friends.