LOYAL AND TRUSTWORTHY KEN HAD A SMILE FOR ALL IN DUFF’S
THERE was sadness in Bray late last month at the news of the death of publican and local man Ken Duff following a short illness.
Ken was a stalwart member of the community in Bray. He took the helm at Duff’s 40 years ago, having already grown up working in the family pub.
His late parents Frank and Sheila purchased the main street bar 70 years ago and now it remains in the family, with Ken’s sister Madeleine.
He will be sadly missed by his loved ones, his friends, customers, staff of the bar past and present, and the town of Bray to which he contributed so much.
It’s a little-known fact that among his endeavours was the setting up of BLB – a forerunner of East Coast Radio. The pirate station at the time was set up in a room over the pub and nobody knew about it.
It was a golden age of pirate radio, and the secret was very well kept as the station could have been shut down at any moment. Ken was very proud of his involvement in the project.
That was one of many things he got behind. Ken supported and sponsored so many local groups and organisations, there are almost too many to mention. He and his father before him sponsored Bray Wheelers. Meetings and gatherings of the club would have taken place in the pub, where Ken displayed a magnificent collection of cycling memorabilia.
Anyone who wanders into Duff ’s will be mesmerised by the jerseys, bicycles, photographs and more on the walls. Stephen Roche’s bike is in the pub, Sean Kelly’s jerseys, Peter Doyle’s jersey and much more. People often have a walk around before sitting down to order their drink. They would have spoken to the proprietor about the sport and asked all about the invaluable collection.
He sponsored the Christy McManus race each year, and has all of the DVDs of the Shay Elliott race, which he attended every year. Two Olympians who cycled for Ireland still drink in Duff ’s.
It is a real hub of the cycling community in Wicklow. Ken was a huge fan of the sport he enjoyed so much. Many members of Bray Wheelers community became his best friends over the years.
On his rare evenings off, he enjoyed the occasional drink in Jackie O’Driscoll’s on the seafront and was good friends with Jackie for many years.
Ken was a supporter of the arts. He was more than happy to support Bray Musical Society, Bray Choral Society, Mermaid Arts Centre and others. There wasn’t often live music in Duff ’s, but some of those to perform included Mia Parsons and Retrofix, who currently play in the pub once a month. Ken saw the value in these hard-working groups and how much they meant to their members, their audiences and the rich life of Bray.
He decided to take televisions out of the pub more than 20 years ago when he did the pub up. He wanted Duff’s to be a pub where people could come and talk, a recipe which has very much stood the test of time. There are plenty of great venues in the town for sports, music and dancing. Duff ’s is a place of conversation. He was proud to provide that comfortable space for people to enjoy a quiet drink.
When it wasn’t too busy, Ken would go around and chat to people at every table as he went about his business. He had a word of welcome and a smile for everyone who crossed the threshold, with the possible exception of Christmas Eve – Duff ’s busiest night of the year.
Ken loved walking. He loved tranquil and picturesque walks in areas such as Glendalough, Lough Dan, Powerscourt, and other beautiful parts of County Wicklow. He loved to be outdoors getting fresh air and enjoying his surroundings.
He was unflinchingly loyal to the people he loved, and would have done anything for a person who needed his help. Ken was trustworthy, respected confidences and disliked gossip. He treated every person he encountered with the greatest of respect.
He enjoyed his work, even after decades upon decades. He liked to meet different people each day, and loved to welcome his regulars into Duff ’s.
It’s a little strange to go into the pub now with Ken no longer there, but his sister and the staff will continue to keep his memory alive in the legacy he helped to create.
On the day of Ken’s funeral, Wednesday, August 2, Ken made his final journey from the Town Hall, down the Main Street and past the pub, followed by a procession of mourners.
Businesses on the main street closed their doors, and stood outside to pay their respects to their friend and neighbour.
His funeral took place at the Holy Redeemer, followed by burial at St Peter’s Cemetery, Little Bray.