Kevin Keating

*The reality of Caring.*
There's more to it than brave,
It's more nuanced than selfless,
One foot, then the other,
Can't entertain helpless.

Of course it's a kindness,
But that's easy and lovely,
This is effort and hardship,
Frustrations and worry.

It's beyond motivation,
A lot more than loyal,
There's no keeping score
And you all share the spoils.

It's doing all you must,
When it's most overbearing,
The beautiful, ugly,
reality of caring.

So what to say now?
Sure it was never for us.
It was all for your dad,
The work and the fuss.

Yes we should thank you,
And thanks will occur,
But your thanks come from a bigger place,
A place much more pure.

It was kind, it was caring,
It was brave it was daring,
It was selfless, sometimes hopeless,
At times overbearing,

It was daughter and father,
A love like no other,
You dug in your heels,
Never ran seeking cover.

And now that it's over,
That long and hard ride,
Please let it sneak in,
That feeling of pride.

Because that's what he felt,
The beautiful person you served,
Take pride and be happy,
It's so richly deserved.

RIP kevin from your first cousin in county wexford.

Anne, Kate , Grainne,
I only heard today about the passing of Kevin today and my condolences at your sad loss. Kevin was such a genuine person, also great to have a conversation with, as he cared so passionately about the things that matter in this world
Wishing you comfort at this time
Siobhan

Dear Anne, Grainne and Kate - another worthy member has joined the Great Session. We send all our love and deepest sympathy and hope to see you before too long to give you a hug. Love, Rachel and Brendan, Cloughjordan

Sincerest condolences to you Anne and to your family. The last time I saw you and Kevin was over a year ago in the foxes den in Ashbourne. His playing that night was sublime to say the least. You were in the company of both of your daughters as far as I can recall.
Please God we will meet up soon for a coffee and a chat en español.

Anne & Family, sorry for the loss of Kevin, he was a simple unassuming man and one of life's true gentleman

So sorry to hear of Kevins passing, Kevin was always a very pleasant man any time I met him and always had a smile and a few words. A huge loss to his family and to the community of Donnycarney .

Anne,, so sorry to hear of Kevin's passing. We always enjoyed the tunes and songs with him on Thursday nights in Foxes Den. He will be sadly missed.

To Anne and family
Sincere condolences on the death of your lovely husband and father. Kevin was always an enthusiastic and cheerful participant in the session in the Fox’s Den in Ashbourne. We will remember him fondly for his tunes and songs, and his shorts in the summer!! A lovely, gentle man. Patricia

In a way I’ve known Kevin all my life but it’s only in the last couple of years I was able to get to know him properly. A gentleman and a man of great integrity. The world was a better place because of him.
A great family man, musician, socialist activist and all round decent human being.
We’ve lost one of the good guys.

very sorry for your loss

Hi Ann
I am So Sorry to Hear that Yourself and the Girls have Lost such a Lovely Husband and Dad where I am Sure that you will have Lots of Happy Memories to Enjoy at this Difficult Time------------While a Previous Principal of Marino College and on Behalf of City of Dublin Education and Training Board it was Great to have You as such a Wonderful Teacher knowing Quite Well that all Wonderful People Come from Wonderful Families with Wonderful Partners-------While Looking into the Future As Kevin would Wish Keep on the Bright Side and Continue Building on all the Happiness and Success that all of you as a Family Enjoyed for Many Happy Years--- go n-éirí an bóthar libh

Anne, Kate and Grainne ..I am so sorry to hear of the sad passing of your wonderful husband and Dad. I have lovely memories of him in Scoil Neasain and am truly sad for you all.. May you be strengthened and comforted in these difficult days.So hard. may Kevin rest in peace .

Very sad to hear about Kevin's passing. I remember Kevin as warm and brave, great fun to be around and as a courageous socialist fighter for a better world. He was a great person.
Deepest sympathy to Anne and daughters on your terrible loss.
Ciaran

I'm very sorry to hear about Kevin's death and send my sympathy to Anne and the girls.
Great memories of Kevin working in the boiler house Ballymun, and his main job highlighting the plight of others on marches down O'Connell St, and handing out leaflets.
Good sessions in Drumshambo with Kevin will last in our minds for ever.
Lots love

I am so sorry to hear about Kevin's passing. My condolences Anne to you and your daughters and all of Kevin's family. Thinking of you all at this time.

So sad to hear about Kevin - words cannot describe how truly saddened we are. Our thoughts are with you Anne,Kate and Gráinne. Your family have been an enormous support on our family through this journey the past year and will be forever grateful.

Anne and family , our most sincere condolences on the passing of your dear Kevin , a great full meaningful life well lived , he will be sadly missed by everyone , may he rest in peace everlasting . RIP.

So sad to hear of the passing of Kevin. RIP
Always good company to be with and enjoyed the tunes.
Will be missed in the Den for sure.
Condolences to Anne an the family

So sad to hear of Kevin’s passing. We had many nights of music, song and craic with him in the Fox’s Den over the years. He will be sadly missed. Condolences to Anne and family.

On March 7 th a celebratory party took place in club na Muinteoiri Not for the first time kevin was the person being honoured but in a special way this time A celebration of his life. When I heard of his passing I reflected how his wife and daughters prepared for the night. Truly admirable to witness the care and detail Truly admirable the love Truly admirable the acceptance of what was imminent. Truly admirable in my experience of parties. May Kevin rest in peace. Tadhg

Deepest Sympathy to the Family of Kevin who will be dearly missed by all his musician friends in the Fox's Den Ashbourne. A really nice Guy
Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam Dilis

Ashbourne session on Thursdays wont be the same without Kevin RIP

Sincere sympathy to Anne and family. Kevin was always a great addition at the session in the Foxes Den. I'll miss our whistle duets. Sonas síoraí dó.

Our lovely compassionate intelligent Kevin. We will miss you so much. You shaped our lives as kids. Such a beautiful curiosity, sense of humour, passionate debater & great fun & adventure. We were privileged to have you as our brother xxxxx

So sorry to hear of Kevin passing condolences to all the Keating family at this very sad time RIP Kevin. Nolan Family Milltown

So sorry for your loss. Kevin was a gentleman of the highest order and a man who stood out among other men.

To Kate and all your family, so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad, thinking of you all during this difficult time.

Deepest sympathy to Anne,Kate and Gráinne. Our thoughts and prayers with you all. Kevin was a true gentle soul who was adored by his family & will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
Rest in peace.

Kevin I’ll always remember you fondly playing the tin whistle at every opportunity when I was younger. Our family get togethers every Christmas have always been a highlight for me, something I look forward to, and won’t be the same without you.

Anne, Kate & Grainne, I'm so sorry to hear of Kevin's passing. My thoughts are with you in this sad time.

Sending my deepest sympathy Gráinne and all the family may your Dad Rest In Peace. Anita (NDNSP)

Rest in peace Kevin, A man who wasn’t content to see his fellow man suffer. Truly one of life’s good guys.

To Anne, Kate and Grainne and all of Kevin's extended family,
My deepest condolences at your sad loss.
I knew him as a gentle man, who loved his music and sang powerful songs of protest at our gatherings in Miltown Malbay during Willie Clancy Week. We never shared a long conversation but it was clear to me from these and even our short chats that Kevin cared deeply about the downtrodden and victims of abuse of power. I have just learnt through other condolences, how hard Kevin worked throughout his life to eradicate the injustices he so despised. What an impressive legacy of kindness and social activism he leaves behind him. You must all be so proud.

Anne, Kate and Grainne, may you find consolation and peace in your hearts after the great loss you have had and the demands of caring for your beloved husband and father. So sorry that we can't honour him together at this strange time. I will play Inis Oirr for him from my house in Dun Laoghaire tonight.

With kindest regards,
Clara Martin

RIP

Dearest Anne
I'm so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your daughters Kate and Grainne at this sad time. Kevin was a wonderful kind, considerate and thoughtful man. A truely great campaigner for a better more equal world. It was always a pleasure to be in his company. Rest in peace Kevin

To Anne, Kate and Grainne my deepest condolences on the passing of Kevin.

I am lucky enough that I had the opportunity to get to know Kevin over the last few years. From being out on special occasions, matches in Croker and even a visit in Spain. But it was all the evenings sitting on the arm chair discussing the politics of today that I will remember the most. He was such a kind, caring and passionate man whom you all should be so very proud off. Without realising, he helped shape my view of the world and those in it. I will be forever grateful to have known Kevin and his memory will live on always.

So sorry to here of Kevin's death.Condolences to the family.We used to meet Kevin at Rovers matches way back in day. May he rest in peace.

Renee and Willie.

My thoughts with you and your girls Anne. I didn't know Kevin myself but have heard from so many what a fine activist and a lovely man he was. Was glad to see so many turn out to pay their respects on the greens today.

To Anne,Kate and Grainne our condolences for the lose of Kevin .We are all very heartbroken .He had much patience and a great humor.He will be dearly missed.R.I.P.

Our sincere sympathy Anne and family. Happy memories of Kevin and our music sessions in Oscar's.

To Anne, Kate and Grainne and his family my deepest sympathy on the loss of Kevin. My heart and thoughts go out to you all at this sad and very difficult time.

Thinking of you all, very sorry for your loss, Eva O’Donovan, Navan.

Anne, Grainne and Kate.
Thank you all so much for sharing your beloved Kevin with us. He was such a kind and gentle man, truly one of life's very special people. We will never forget him, and will talk about him always and keep his love in our hearts xx
Love to you all

I'm really going to miss Kevin.
The world will be different without him. It won't be as fun.
He was really nice and friendly, I loved him.

Sending our deepest condolences to you Anne, Kate and Grainne. We are so saddened to hear this sad news. Kevin was a gentleman and a loving and caring friend to our family.
May he rest in peace

My sympathy to you, Kate and Grainne. Kevin was always a thoughtful and reflective comrade. I was fortunate enough to catch up with him in Dublin earlier this year and it was good to see that his engagement was still as fierce as ever. It was very upsetting to learn of his death.

Best wishes and I will play a couple of tunes in his memory tonight.

Liam

To Kevin's family my condolences at this sad time. I worked with Kevin briefly and he left a big impression on me.R.I.P. Kevin

Dear Anne I am so sad to hear about Kevin’s death. I met him and you when we did work together for the Hands Off People of Iran and I always found him to be a very determined character who refused to give up on his principles. And a really kind and gentle person. And a constant friend of the oppressed. A revolutionary. Comradely love Anne McShane

Very sorry for your loss Anne,Kate and Grainne.

To Anne, Kate and Gráinne,

We are so sorry to hear of Kevin's death. He was a wonderful man, kind, generous and selfless. Many memories of him playing in Artane and Oscar Taylor's: "The Kid on the Mountain", "Morrisons" The Leitrim Jig". We will miss his warmth and humour and his concern for those who suffer injustice.
Thinking of you. Hope to see you again soon.

To Kevin's family my condolences at this sad time in the passing of Kevin , may he rest in peace, when I worked with Kevin in the boiler house ,always a smile, a joke and always a great interest in music always in good form , God bless Kevin will be sorely missed by all a truly great friend God bless Thomas

Anne, Kate and Gráinne
We are so sorry to hear of the death of Kevin. Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with you all.

So sad to hear of Kevin's passing. First met Kevin and Anne in the '70s. Apart from the sound politics they were as nice a couple as one could meet. There have been many victories and defeats in the struggle since them. Kevin never backed down or lost the will to fight. He has been part of the movement that will eventually end the cruel class-based society. Condolences to Anne, Gráinne and Kate from Joe and Kay in Kerry.

Kevin was just such a wonderful soul- so compassionate, with a gentleness and humour. He endleslly strived to help others and make the world a better, more humane place for us all. What a legacy he has left.

Annie, Kate and Grainne,
I am so, so sorry to hear this incredibly sad news- what a truly lovely and inspiring person Kevin was- you can be filled with pride for the life he led. We will all miss him hugely.
Deepest sympathies to you all.

Kevin was an incredible, kind hearted man who brought much joy. It was a pleasure to know him. He will be greatly missed by so many. Annie, Kate and Grainne - thinking of you at this sad time. Lots of love to you all.

Very sorry for your loss Anne,Kate and Grainne. Kevin will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace.

Kevin will be really missed - he was a great man with the pipes and an even better man with the whistle - Rest In peace

RIP Kevin.A gentleman .

My heart goes out to ye at this heartbreaking and devastating time Anne, Kate and Grainne. Kevin cared so deeply and fiercely about the injustices faced by so many people here at home and right across the world, it was a privilege to get to know him, campaign and struggle with him and yes, at times, disagree with him. Intelligent, sincere, dedicated, his death really does leave the world a poorer place. My deepest sympathies to you Anne, to Kate and Grainne, his extended family, friends and comrades.