Raymond Dempsey was truly a man of many wonderful talents
IT was with a sense of deep regret and sadness that the people of Drogheda and surrounding areas learned of the death of Raymond (Ray) Dempsey, former Mayor of Drogheda 1980 - 81.
Raymond was the second youngest member of the family of the late Vincent and Kathleen Dempsey, whose contribution to the War of Independence, the freedom of the nation and service to their local community are now well documented.
Educated by the Christian Brothers at Sunday’s Gate, Ray served his time as a salesman in Connolly Brothers, now Wogan’s in Shop Street. He later worked with Edward Greene and Sons on the Mall where he was later to meet Olive, the love of his life.
In 1967 Raymond’s mother Kathleen became the first woman ever elected to Drogheda Corporation. When Kathleen stepped down in 1974, Raymond stood for election for Fine Gael and served with distinction for 25 years on the Corporation.
Success in life is best measured by whether you really made a difference and Ray Dempsey certainly did. He was highly regarded for his honesty and integrity, his great organisational and communication skills, his role as an advocate and a peacemaker, his political courage and his total commitment to every project which he undertook.
The list of his achievements is impressive. Indeed no history of the service rendered to the community in the fields of local government, sport, tourism, entertainment and recreation in Drogheda would be complete without mention of his name.
It was Ray who first conceived and proposed the idea of the Make Drogheda Beautiful Campaign, the development of the Millmount Complex, the promotion of Drogheda as a popular tourist destination and the establishment of a permanent tourist office in the town. He was also responsible, with the support of the entire council, for successfully appealing the then County Manager’s decision in relation to the old Drogheda Grammar School in Laurence Street.
Away from the political scene, he has given a lifetime of service to the town. He was a prime mover in the development of summer league soccer in Drogheda. In the years when United Park was not available he staged some of the best summer league finals on record at Swan Park (now Newfield Estate) Newfoundwell.
As honorary secretary of the famous parish night team, he worked hard with great people like the Quinn family and others, to raise badly needed funds for Our Lady of Lourdes Church and the new schools which the parish priest of the day, the Rt. Revd Mons. Stokes, had commissioned for the ever-expanding north side of the town. The parish night series went on to become a popular highlight in the town’s social scene and entertainment calendar, in addition to sowing the seeds for the national Tops of the Town competition.
A man of many talents, his reputation as a producer and director of local shows was well established. His real forte was in script writing and verse. His additional material for the late Jimmy Fagan’s witty scripts was a feature of pantomimes in Drogheda for many years.
A prolific writer, he published the second episode of his “Unsung Heroes” just a few months before his death. Entitled the Great Lady Kate , it tells the story of the life and times of his mother Kathleen (née Balfe), a founder member of Cumann na mBan in the town. It was also a cause of great joy to Ray that he oversaw in 2016 the erection of a plaque to commemorate the heroic exploits of the Balfe family at their old family home on the Chord Road.
Raymond’s life, as indeed his political career, was memorable and inspirational not least in the courage and fortitude he showed in dealing with and overcoming a childhood speech impediment, the effects of Polio which he contracted in his teens and other serious health issues in his forties. Still he went on to lead a very happy, successful and fulfilling life. His triumph over adversity has a message of hope for us all.
Predeceased by his two brothers and two sisters, Vincent, Aidan, Deirdre (O’Brien) and Gertie (Shields), Raymond faced his final illness with inspiring courage. He died with grace and serenity, with his beloved wife Olive by his side, comforted by a deep spirituality and a strong faith in the Resurrection which marked him as a man apart.
A man for all seasons, Raymond was a true and trusted friend, a thorough professional who put the interests of his town first, a gentleman and loving husband who will be truly missed.
One of Raymond’s favourite poems was A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, so It may be appropriate to end this tribute with the following verse:
“Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time.”