BRENDAN CARDIFF

Ah Brendan, we have spent the past two months walking down Memory Lane remembering all the great times we had with you in the Clos. Dun Laoghaire and Ramsey Isle of Man. So sorry we could never show you around our part of the world here in Canada. Thanks you so much for the wonderful evenings out, bottles of wine shared and introducing to all of your friends. We keep hoping that the phone will ring and it will be you on the other end of the line. You really were one of the great ones Rest in peace Dear Friend.

It's all been said in these tributes. Brendan was larger than life, hugely entertaining,k learned and wonderful company. We were colleagues in the 1970s at the Commission in the good old days of Directorate General II for Economic and Financial Affairs. He left for Uganda where he witnessed the nightly atrocities committed by the Amin regime and this experience shook him to the core. He remained a rich source of anecdote and endless humour and a faithful friend to so many. Fondly remembered by so many in the European institutions. R.I.P. Brendan.

It is with great sadness I have just learned of Brendan’s passing. He was part of our family for nearly 50 years and thanks to him I have the most beautiful wedding album, including his funny comments written beneath each photo. We loved the stories of his travels and especially the time he spent in Rome.
My heartfelt condolences and sympathy go to his family.

Rest in peace, Brendan. I have happy memories of dining with you in the Minus 2 of the Berlaymont in 1979 and listening to your numerous and entertaining tales. You seemed to know everybody! As a callow youth I was well impressed and very appreciative of your help in improving my French. Happy days.

I remember Brendan's good humour when I was staying in Joe Swan's house in Wezembeek Oppem in 1994. Joe and Brendan were neighbours so I saw quite a bit of Brendan at that time. I had just got married and was soon to leave Brussels to work in the Commission Representation in Ireland later in 1994. I of course returned to Brussels in 2001 and retired in 2018 so I live now in the West of Ireland (Oughterard).

I recall that Brendan was well travelled and had lots of stories to tell. He also wrote at least one book. When I think of Brendan I feel that he had a very full life and I feel confident that he enjoyed it.

May he rest in peace.

The staff of the Institute of Public Administration who worked with and remember Brendan, and who gratefully recall the assistance he gave to the Institute in dealings with the European Institutions, send sincere condolences.

Sincere condolences to Brendan's family on his sad passing.
I first came to know Brendan in 1993 when we lived in Clos des Iris in Wezembeek-Oppem. When I moved house, I continued to bump into him on the Tram/Metro on a regular basis. We regularly had lunch together in the canteen. When he retired, I came across him from time to time in various places such as planes to/from Brussels. I last met him on a sunny day in September when I was walking through the park in Cualanor in Dún Laoghaire. He promised me that as he sat on the park bench regularly, I could see him there whenever I wanted to. Alas, that was not to be the case.
Each time one met Brendan, it was a real pleasure to hear his stories and he kept closely in touch with all things Commission.
I shall miss him greatly.

So saddened to learn of Brendan's sudden passing. We will always remember him and tales of his adventurous life very fondly. Brendan was a consummate professional and a great European while being a great ambassador for his country. He was also very much devoted to his extended family and a wonderful uncle to our great friend Daniel and his lovely sister Simone.

Rest in peace.

Very sorry to hear of Brendan’s death. I was remembering the great days we had in the IPA all those years ago. You were a kind and thoughtful person Brendan, you will be sadly missed

Thank you, Brendan for the memories - albums full of happy, sunny photographs of happy, sunny days in Brussels. Sincere condolences to all his family.

We learnt through our daughter Belinda of the very sad and tragic passing of Brendan whom we met on multiple occasions when visiting in Dublin. We have very fond memories of Brendan and his worldly-wise anecdotes recounted from all his travels and experiences, such an enjoyable part of our visits to Carnegie Drive.
We offer our deepest condolences to his family.

I had the good fortune to meet Brendan one of my very first days in the European Commission in Brussels January 1974, not knowing that it was going to be the start of a long friendship. I last met Brendan during my visit to Dublin June 2018, blissfully unaware that it was going to be the very last time. A person who for so many years always somehow was present in my life is no longer here but has left me lots of great memories. Thank you Brendan. May you rest in peace.
My sincere condolences to Brendan's beloved family and thank you for making it possible to follow the funeral service online.
Kathrine Kaad Jacobsen
Denmark

As members of the same department in the European Commission for several years, I greatly valued Brendan both as a dependable and insightful colleague and for the warmth and generosity of his personality. The staunch support he gave to a member of our team who was suffering from a terminal illness, will never be forgotten. His photographs of the honorary doctorate award to the “Erasmus Pioneers” in Brussels almost 20 years ago, are a lasting personal recollection of our time together. Brendan was a true believer in Europe and the best that it stands for. He will be missed by all of us who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing him. Sincere condolences to his closest friends and relatives.

Our sincerest condolences to Brendan’s family. He was so kind and would always stop for a chat as he walked by our house. Carnegie Drive will miss him and his friendliness greatly. Rest in Peace

Deepest condolences to the family of Brendan Cardiff. Go ndéana Dia trocaire ar a h-anam dilís. I was a young civil servant in the early 1970's and encountered Brendan as a tutor in Political Economy during the second year of the B.Comm Degree in University College Dublin. Brendan's success in securing a position with the European Commission after Ireland joined the EEC on the 1st.January, 1973 came as no great surprise to his students in view of his understanding and grasp of the subject, together with the manner in which his enthusiasm and passion for the subject was imparted to his students. Brendan has now joined the 'Great Academy of Political Economists in the Sky', where he has been joined by a fellow classmate from the B.Comm Class who passed away recently. No doubt Brendan and my ex classmate will engage an intellectual discourse on the merits of the designation 'Political Economy' compared with its modern classification to-day as 'Economics'.

With our deepest sympathies on the passing of Dear Brendan to the Cardiff Family and Simone, Daniel and the Hannigan Family.

Rest in Peace Brendan, Great to have known you for the past 55 years.
Denis, Group IX A, UCD, 1965

Delighted to witness (online) the warm, rich and well deserved tributes paid to our former neighbor Brendan by his nephew Daniel and long time friend and former colleague Tom Arnold. My wife and I and many other residents here in Dún Laoghaire will miss this wonderful neighbor.

When I heard that Brendan had died it was a great shock. COVID had kept us apart since March . The name Brendan Cardiff had been included in so many stories that my friends ( also Brendan’s dear friends ) told to
me over the years , these stories were almost unbelievable as they were so different .. Then , when Brendan moved to Dunlaoghaire and I met this charming man , Brendan Cardiff , I understood HOW there were so many stories .Wherever Brendan was , stories were made ... he had a love of people, place, politics, Art, and especially his family , this love was the inspiration for his story telling ... always fascinating and usually accompanied by a photograph or two or three.. ..proof of authenticity!!!
Brendan’s death was unexpected and I’m so sorry that we won’t meet again for a chat , a glass of wine and fun with his many friends .. He were a beloved man .. Rest in Peace .

Following the death of Brendan, I send you all my sympathy, he was for me a very close friend. We spent to gether many years in the European Commission and we kept in contact till the 22 nd of december. I entend to come to Ireland in spring, when it is possible to travel. Yours, Maurice Guyader

Dear Brendan, what a torrent of tributes you have garnered! You are worthy of them all.
Brendan and I (and Denis McGowan) laboured together in the late 1960s at the Institute of Public Administration where as young bachelors we had lots of fun. Brendan wrote pieces for our magazine while working in the training division. He’d already spent time in Rome with Joe Walsh Tours, and Italy and travel was in his blood, so it was little surprise when he took a job in the Commission. We’d see each other only from time to time for the next forty years, so it was a pleasure to hear that he had returned to live in Ireland, and a shock to know that there won’t be any further opportunities. He was a sincere and intelligent man, and a warm and generous personality. I miss him already.

Having just attended Brendan's beautiful Funeral Mass virtually, all the memories come flooding back. During our years, late 1970s to 1980s, in Brussels, we came to know Brendan and appreciate the fine man he was. Great company, so very interesting for a chat and most of all kind. As was his way, he made great connections in the community in his years back in Dublin. The lovely tributes made to him this morning at Kimmage Manor speak for all of us, for so very many people the world over whose lives Brendan touched. Our sincere sympathies to Simone & Daniel, to Jim, Caitríona & Edward & to Finbarr. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. John Smith, Mary Macken

We were very sorry to read of Brendan’s death. We met Brendan on a trip to Madeira a few years ago. We got talking in the airport queue, he sat beside us on the flight and we continued talking for the rest of the holiday. We stayed in the same hotel and we spent most of our time with him on day trips. Every evening we would receive an email asking about arrangements for dinner. We really enjoyed his company. He was fascinating to talk to, his range of experiences traveling the world, his time in Brussels which he obviously loved, his interest in the arts and literature and world affairs. He was reading Elegy of a Hillbilly at the time and loved talking about American politics. Most evenings he would send us photos of the places we had visited that day. He loved trying out new wines and would insist on choosing and paying for them.We parted at Dublin airport with invitations extended in both directions . We exchanged emails after that and frequently thought of him but sadly had not met up since. Our sincere condolences to his family whom he loved . He was a lovely, lovely man.

My condolences to Brendan's family. He was the kindest, the most helpful of colleagues.

We will miss Brendan, the European, the traveller and good friend

Brendan was a wonderful colleage in the European Commission and it was a great pleasure for me to work with him. Great humour and incredable knowledge of all countries of the world ! Beautifull photos taken ny him decorate my living room.
Peace upon you dear Brendan.

A lovely neighbour on Carnegie Drive. Brendan will be missed. May he rest in peace. Gina, Robin and family.

Rest in peace, Brendan. They only seem like yesterday -those heady days of the first enlargement of the European Communities in 1973 when we started our respective European adventures as colleagues in the Commission DG for Economics and Monetary Affairs. I remember fondly our daily coffees in the "Rotonde". Your generosity knew no bounds.

Many fond memories of Brendan, including his regular gifts of lovely tasty treats each time he visited Dublin, his affection for photography and capturing lovely moments which I look back on from time to time. May he rest in peace.

We are so sad to hear of dear Brendan's sudden death RIP.
He was a great friend,full of love,laughter, learning, kindness and generousity.
The world will be a poorer place for his passing.We extend our sincere sympathy
to the Hannigan and Cardiff families.
Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam.

I grew up around the corner on Croaghpatrick Rd, near Slemish Rd,from Brendan. As young adults we went our separate ways,Brendan to Brussels and I came to Michigan USA. We lost touch but through mutual friend reconnected in Dublin in the 90's and have been in touch ever since. I loved the emails,some funny others political but all a witness to Brandon's appreciation of life. His wit,knowledge,kindness and sincerity always came through. We shall miss him but will never forget him
My sympathies to his family.

Dear Brendan,
It is the second time I am writing to you today. The first one was this morning, when I sent you a long reply to your kind email with your Christmas wishes, and now I am writing again, with tears in my eyes, as the sad news of your passing has just reached me.
You were one of my first colleagues when I joined the European Commission in 1985, and with your kindness and your wonderful Irish humour, you helped me through the first difficult weeks and months. Quickly we became good friends, and I discovered a true gentleman and a generous philanthropist. You loved music, arts and travelling, and the pictures you took during your countless trips around the world were always full of smiling people. You made everyone feel important, loved, and cherished, and I find myself smiling, when I think of you and all the great and funny moments that we shared together. And now, at the end of your journey in this world, I would just like to thank you for everything.

My deepest condolences to your family and friends. You will be dearly missed, but forever in our hearts. Rest in peace, dear friend.

I knew of Brendan long before I knew him - our shared surname meant I was often asked if we were related, especially as I was also a public servant, with occasional dealings in Brussels and later Luxembourg. Once I was even getting what seemed like the VIP treatment on my way into a conference at the European Commission, until when asked if I knew Brendan, I said no. I was ushered quietly back into the ordinary people's line. So knowing Brendan was clearly regarded as a "good thing". Later, Brendan's family research both discovered that we were cousins and brought us into touch and we had a (too) few opportunities to get to know each other. A real gentleman, to be missed.

Sincere sympathy to Brendan's family and friends. He was a true friend and a source of good advice to me in Brussels. Our conversations usually started on aviation policy but then moved on to more interesting topics, informed by Brendan's erudition and great intellectual curiosity. Ar dheis De go raibh se.

My deepest condolences to his family.
Brendan was an extremely friendly, understanding colleague who explained and helped me a lot in my early days at the European Commission in 1990. We became good friends and occasionally went to the theater, the opera or his beloved Italian resto in Wezembeek-Oppem. Even after we both retired, we kept in touch. In the days leading up to Christmas he wrote his newsletter and he still had so many plans. I will miss Brendan, this great, cultured gentleman so very much.

Emer and I offer our sincere condolence to his family. He made a considerable contribution to the Irish community here in Brussels as "recorder"of our community by his extensive photography of our social activities. You had a great openess and friendship towards all. We missed you when you returned to Ireland. Yet you remained a contributer through your frequent email contributions reflecting your wide ranging interests. We missed your frequent visits to our mutual Italian restaurant "La Trattora di Parma".
A Dieu Dear Friend

Farewell Brendan, it’s so long since we met but your friendship during the 60s and 70s was invaluable. A true gentleman with a mischievous sense of humour. Never forgotten.

Dear Brendan an irreplaceable friend to us all, will leave a void in our hearts.
May i offer my condolences to the family and also to his many friends and acquaintances.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dilis.

Thank you, Brendan, for sharing your encyclopaedic knowledge, your sense of humour and your kindness. The world needs more Brendans. Deepest sympathy to your family. Rest in Peace.

Brendan was the first resident to move into our newly developed road in Dun Laoghaire five years ago and when we arrived soon after he rolled out the red carpet for us. We became instant friends, charmed by his wit and intellect, his gracious and gentle manner, and his fascinating tales of a life brimming with adventure.

Brendan was one of the kindest and most thoughtful people we have ever known and not a month went by that we weren’t touched by his generosity. He would regularly arrive on the doorstep with a ‘tonic’ (wine) for us to sample or salmon picked up in the fishmonger, and he always brought us home gifts from his travels. If there was a show that might interest us or an article that was relevant, he would soon bring it to our attention.

Brendan was the cornerstone of this community – so much so that we dubbed him the ‘Mayor of Carnegie’ – and like all of our neighbours we are heartbroken at his passing. This street feels quieter and lonelier since he left us but we are so thankful for the years we had with him. It was a privilege to know such a remarkable man and an honour to call him our friend.

Our deepest condolences go to Brendan’s family, his brother Jim and brother-in-law Finbarr, and his nieces and nephews, Simone, Daniel, Catriona and Edward. He spoke of you often and was so proud of you all.

Brendan, we will not forget you and every time we have a ‘tonic’ we will raise a glass to you. Rest in peace, dear friend. You are missed.

I first met Brendan in autumn 1979 in Brussels.
He was giving a cine - fest of his various travels to date, including Uganda.
Brendan was a life enhancer -intelligent , kind, generous, witty and thought provoking.
May he rest in peace.
Susan Hedigan.

Such sad and unexpected news to receive. Brendan brightened many an art history lecture with the perfect question or ‘bon mot’. He was a great raconteur and on study tours he was a gentle, generous well of information. I counted him among my friends and it is hard to believe that we will hear his voice no more. My sincere sympathy to Brendan’s family and friends. May he Rest In Peace in the heavens he so admired in art.

We were very shocked to learn of Brendan's untimely passing. He sent a very interesting message on 22 December, full of interesting reflections and facts. We also remember his wonderful photos and those of Morocco reminded us of our stay there in the 90s.
More recently we enjoyed meals with Brendan both here at home, which he referred to as out in the sticks. There were also enjoyable times with Maurice and Louise-Marie in his favourite restaurant in Wezembeek-Oppem. The reserved restaurant owner agreed with Brendan's elogious words about Dublin !
Deepest sympathy to his family.
There will not be another Brendan! He was an outstanding human being and such a kind person. He will be missed.
Robert and Mary Verheyleweghen O'Keeffe
Braine l'Alleud, Belgium and Goatstown, Dublin.

Our deepest sympathies from the Kerrigan family,former neighbours,Slemish Road. May Brendan rest in peace.

Bren and I shared an office in Lansdowne Road in 1969 and soon became good friends. We remained so ever since and our last chat was on Christmas eve with the usual sign off "be on again soon". He became a great favourite with my extended family both in Dublin and Bruxelles. I hope to be able soon to celebrate his life and achievements with his extended family.
Denis, Bruxelles and Clontarf

Farewell Brendan. Condolences to your family and friends. We will miss your endless flow of ideas to help all and make a better world.

Sincere condolences to Brendan's family & friends. I have only known him a few years but was honoured and delighted to make his acquaintance at the Purser-Griffith lectures in September 2016.
I will miss his emails with links to various cultural articles he'd come across, or his little notes containing exhibition reviews etc from various newspapers. I will remember him with fondness when, in lectures, I come across photographs he shared from our class trips to Florence & Venice.
Brendan was an extraordinarily kind-, warm-, generous-hearted gentleman - a true gentleman.
May his soul rest in peace.

Brendan came into our lives when we moved to Dun Laoghaire 5 years ago. He was the most wonderful neighbour - the magnet that enabled us to make new friends and pulled us together. His observations on politics and events mixed with anecdotal stories from his own past were always so interesting – not just full of wit but also insights.

He brought much laughter and so many interesting stories to our dinner table and BBQs not to mention how he spoiled many of the kids with gifts when returning from his travels.

Even with the weight of Brexit, US politics and Covid he was always talking of a brighter future. As he wrote in his book – one that was “even more confident in the values of tolerance, a caring society, with concern for the global environment and the less fortunate of the earth.”. RIP Brendan you will be sorely missed and have touched our community in a way we will not forget.

Brendan was a true gentleman, an entertaining and kind person we were truly sorry to hear of his passing. With deepest sympathy to his family.

Orlagh and I are truly sad at Brendan’s sudden death. Our memories of him are bright with his thoughtfulness, his kindness, his enjoyment of life. But we also admired his serious side, his loyalty to his roots, to UCD, to the IDA, the European Commission and his interests in history, art, travel. He had an openness and integrity which transcended seniority and careerism.

I remember him back in 1975 when he campaigned against Franco’s execution of 5 political prisoners. He was shaken by his period in the Commission Delegation in Uganda, where he witnessed nightly the killings carried out by Idi Amin and fought to stop it.

We were part of a Commission study visit to China in 1976. You could not ask for a better travelling companion – intensely curious, getting on well with his hosts, very observant – and of course great fun. He recently digitized the Super 8 films he took of the trip and had planned a showing once lockdown ended.

He attended our wedding and presented us with a beautiful album of the day which is one of our household treasures. He was a wonderful godfather to our daughter Meave.

Brendan copied me his order of books for friends for this Christmas. In all there were 9 carefully chosen books ranging from lives of Beethoven and Roosevelt to a portrait of Tibet. No book token gifts from this most generous and thoughtful of men.

We will miss him deeply and can only imagine how great a loss he will be to his family.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal.

What sad news to hear of Brendan's untimely passing into the other world. Always a warm hearted person with a wealth of knowledge and great stories to tell as reflected recently in the Irish Man's Diary . He will be sadly missed. Deepest condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Brendan's family, may he rest in peace a gentle joint at all times to all he met. Very kind to all. May God return His kindness to Brendan and his family.

Brendan was a kind, gentle and generous man with a wonderful store of stories and anecdotes. I'm so very sorry to hear of his passing. I'd hoped we'd meet up now that I'm back in Dublin, he'd promised to show me the ropes. Such sad news.

Brendan’s passing is a dreadful loss to our community, he was so loved by us all and wonderfully kind to the children of the street who pitched up outside his house on sunny afternoons to play.
Deepest condolences from the Nalty family

Dear Brendan
I knew him as a colleague at the European Commission from the late seventies and as a close friend for some forty years. Since retirement we have also been travelling companions across Europe, to India, South America and even twice to the Isle of Man. Many happy memories.
Latterly with travel curtailed, he embarked on more intellectual voyages of discovery and emails arrived almost daily. Intelligent, kind, caring and affectionate he was a true and loving friend and I shall miss him greatly.

Rest in peace Brendan. A genuine friend and colleague. We shed many a tear for Parnell in Brussels! Sincere condolences to your extended family.

My heartfelt sympathies to brother James & all Maureens family, friends & neighbours. James may remember me from 2 Slemish Road, both our Dads being Guards. Brendan & Maureen, Jack Neary & I grew up together, but went our separate ways after leaving school. I only met Brendan once after his retirement, and was looking forward to meeting him again as soon as it was safe to travel from Chicago. I mourn his passing greatly. Strangely, I had an uneasy feeling about Brendan over the Christmas. Then a friend in Detroit, (originally Croaghpatrick Road), received the stunning news in an email from Ireland & passed it on to me.
May Brendan Rest In Peace !
Paddy Byrne, Chicago, USA

So sad to hear of Brendan's passing. Always a boon companion and always helpful when we met in Brussels.
Our condolences to all the family

My deepest condolences to Brendan's family and many friends. Brendan was a wonderfully kind and engaging man and I have many lovely memories of our time as fellow students at UCD in recent years. We all hoped to be able to meet once again when this difficult time is over but sadly that is not now to be. However as soon as time allows we will raise a glass to Brendan and remember how his marvellous stories and sense of fun enlivened every occasion. He will be sorely missed. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

So very sorry to hear of Brendan's passing. Our sincere sympathy to Jim, Simone, Daniel, Cathriona, Edward and Finbarr. May Brendan's Soul Rest in Peace.