• Mar 07,2017

There was a huge sense of loss in the immediate community and beyond last week at the sudden and unexpected passing of Seán Dineen, Mill House, Ballinascarthy. Son of the late Pat Dineen and Kathleen (O’Donovan), he was predeceased by his sister Mona (Fehily). Seán passed away peacefully in the presence of his family at Cork University. From his earliest days Seán had a deep sense of place and his funeral was testament to this. He was so proud of his roots, the GAA and the village to which he gave so much selflessly.

Requiem Mass was con-celebrated in Clogagh by Fr. Pat Hickey, Mons Aidan O'Driscoll, Mons Finbarr O'Leary and Fr. John McCarthy with singing by Deirdre Archibald and Paula Kingston. His daughter Úna gave an eloquent eulogy, outlining his life as a family man, while Jack Keane delivered a moving summary as a friend and his contribution to the wider community. Seán was a man of many talents, had a fondness for the great outdoors and loved skiing, boat trips and fishing. He loved a good sing song and wrote original songs himself of great achievements in the locality. He was a tremendous raconteur, regaling us with stories and songs on the occasion of any social gathering. He was famous for his contribution to the fancy dress parade, coming up with novel ideas for several floats every year.

At Christmas Seán carried out his Santa role, delivering presents to houses locally. With his big heart he did many good deeds for people quietly.

He was such a loved, colourful character, such an icon of Ballinascarthy. In fact Sean never left the village, living his entire life where he was born and reared. We are unlikely to ever again witness the huge guard of honour on his final journey from Clogagh Church as lone piper Michael Heaney led the funeral cortege up the main road before turning over the Shannonvale road. Over three hundred friends from the communities and associations, whom he touched, lined the roadside as a mark of respect as traffic ground to a solemn halt. A round of applause rang out in the cold February air in his honour. Flags flew at half-mast at Henry Ford Pairc and the Model T. His coffin was draped with the colours of the Bal GAA club as it made its way to his final resting place with his parents in St Mary’s cemetery, Clonakilty.

Seán will be sadly missed by all those he touched in his life, especially his wife Margaret (nee Fleming) his daughters, Dara, Úna and Maireád, his sons, Kieran, John and Pádraig and his three sisters, Mary, Nan and Pauline, along with his extended family and many, many friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.