On July 7th 2019 peacefully in the gentle care of the staff of Killarney Nursing Home, Dan, aged 98. Predeceased by his wife Margaret. Sadly missed by his loving family, nieces, nephews, sister in law, brothers in law, relatives especially Con, neighbours and friends. R.I.P.
Reposing at O’Keeffe’s Funeral Home, Rathmore on this Monday eve. (July 8th)from 7pm to 9pm. Followed by removal to the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Shrone. Mass on Tuesday (July 9th) at 11.30am. Burial afterwards in Rathmore Cemetery. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís. [rip]
Dan Cronin was born in a cosy and homely thatched cottage in the wonderfully scenic townland of Aunaskirtane, Rathmore, Co. Kerry in the 1920s. He was educated in Shrone N.S. up to the age of fourteen. Dan had always maintained a keen interest in old tales and history. His superb narratives were penned from reality. Fireside tales of other days so gripped that he often felt he was present as the stories were occurring. It was a true privilege knowing the wonderful Dan and his late wife, Margaret. Dan had such a wonderful sense of humour and his consistent smile projected his sincere friendliness to All. Being a member of a very special Sliabh Luachra group which was formed to coordinate the most memorable Launch of one of Dan’s most famous and most popular books “In the Shadow of the Paps” at the “Two Mile Inn” Hotel in Killarney (now “The Torc” near Lissavigeen) it was such an honour being asked to take the photograph which appears on the cover of the world renowned book. And what a mighty day we all had visiting various locations in Sliabh Luachra to capture images for the book with Dan relating such great stories about each location as we travelled on a beautiful day in Summer. Dan and Margaret were always so very welcoming not only in Aunaskirtane but also in Rathmore. Dan has left a magnificent legacy in the world of literature and history. Thankfully, over the years Dan was recorded on television, radio and locally. What a hugely valuable treasure this is for many generations to come. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. (Seán Radley)
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Watch Dan talk about the City of Shrone here: https://vimeo.com/17994559
So sad to hear of Dan’s passing. A scholar – self educated – and a gentleman. Jack Lane
Many thanks for this.
Very much appreciated. Dan will be missed.
sad to hear of his passing, i met him several decades ago on a train journey and he gave me such a knowledge of history of the area, it is embedded in my memory, very grateful to him – Aisling nic an tSithigh
I am sure that people who knew Dan would have interesting anecdotes about him. One I recall is when I talked to him about his time at Shrone National School in the 1920s. I was curious to get an idea of the curriculum. He illustrated this by giving an example of a piece of homework he got one Friday. The Earth is 93 million miles from the Sun and if it is subtended from the Earth at an angle of 23 degrees what is the diameter of the earth? I asked him did he work it out and he said “ I did, ’twas tough. When I got home I got out the flag and did it.” The flag was a flagstone as he did not have any paper to work on!
Jack – many thanks for sharing this wonderful story about the great Dan Cronin. The Funeral Mass at Shrone Church on Tuesday, 9th July with its beautiful singing, its excellent homily and family tribute as well as a graveside sharing of memories and traditional music – were all such an appropriate salute to gentleman supreme Dan. R.I.P..
Sean,
Your friendship and support for Dan’s work has been wonderful and a special thank you for your kindness over many decades .
Joan – It was a true privilege knowing Dan and Margaret. God rest them both. They so enriched the lives of so many. A beautiful tribute was paid to Dan by talented Poet Ashley O’Neal at the Mills Inn, Ballyvourney last Friday night at the launch of her superb book of poetry “The Wren is Near” (“An Dreolín in ár Measc”) which is dedicated to the memory of Dan Cronin. Sincere thanks for your very kind and much appreciated comment.