Passing of very popular Nenagh barman

One of Nenagh’s most popular barmen, Jimmy Shanahan, died suddenly on Friday, January 26, much to the regret of his loving family and a legion of friends at home and abroad.

Jimmy, who was 66, was born in Rochdale in England, but spent most of his life in Nenagh after his parents Breda and Seán moved home from the UK in the early 1960s.

The eldest of four children, he grew up in Bulfin Crescent and was educated at Saint Mary’s NS and Nenagh CBS.

He grew up and became one of the town’s best-known barmen. He started in Martin Gleeson’s Railway Bar at the age of 14 but after a short time left to work at Eamon Ryan’s pub on the Dublin Road where he spent an enjoyable 20 years. He was a loyal worker, running the pub as if it was his own, and his long service there was greatly appreciated by his employer and many customers.

By then highly experienced in the pub trade, Jimmy subsequently moved to The Talbot Bar in Kenyon Street to work as head barman for the then proprietor Seamus Ryan.

Located beside a nightclub, it was a very busy pub, but Jimmy took it all in his stride. A friend recalled how he could take an order for up to 20 drinks and calculate the cost in his head.

All those years of being in the public eye, Jimmy knew most of the people of Nenagh and they certainly knew him. He was a highly popular character in the community.

One person who knew him well described Jimmy as “a gent, a friend, a sports lover, and Nenagh’s most loved barman.”

CLOSE BONDS

He was a great raconteur and someone who maintained close bonds with his wide circle of friends to whom he always gave sound advice. “He was our own personal counsellor,” recalled his best friend, Odhran O’ Brien. “We didn’t need a psychiatrist or a shrink. All problems were solved by Jimmy as we confided over our favourite drink.”

Jimmy was someone who formed firm bonds with both young and old. A friend described him as “quite an entertaining character with the biggest heart of gold.”

His winning ways meant he fostered great friendships with his neighbours in Ballygraigue Estate and throughout the town in general.

THE GERMAN LINK

While Jimmy loved Nenagh, he considered Cologne in Germany to be his second home for many years. This bond developed in 1988 after he and a few local friends took a van to Stuttgart to follow the Republic of Ireland soccer squad during that memorable and highly successful era when the team was under the management Jack Charlton.

Jimmy befriended some girls from Cologne in a local pub and addresses were swapped. Two weeks later he welcomed a group of Germans who turned up at his door in Nenagh. As promised, he offered them free lodgings for their holiday and in return was invited to visit Cologne.

That was the start of some great friendships, and Jimmy would travel to the city sometimes as much as twice a year to renew relationships with his close German friends who opened their doors to him and other Nenagh friends he brought with him.

Among his friends in Cologne were members of a band called The Mahones. They played fast and lively Irish music and in 1997 they came to Nenagh to perform in The Talbot as a tribute to Jimmy, and in December 2007 returned again to play at Jimmy’s 50th birthday celebrations.

KEEN SPORTS FAN

In his spare time Jimmy loved a game of darts, winning a lot of local competitions in the 1980s. He was described as “pretty handy” with a pool cue as well. A keen sports fan, he followed rugby, hurling and soccer and was a loyal fan of Everton FC.

Unfortunately, Jimmy suffered a stroke a number of years ago, which impacted greatly on his health and his ability to get around. He never managed to ride his trusty bicycle again and his illness forced him to quit his barman’s job.

From then on he was confined to home quite a lot, an extremely testing fate for a man who was such a social animal. However, he ultimately adapted well and found a great way to stay connected with everyone be taking to social media, especially on Facebook.

During the years of his illness his right hand women were his sister Helen and her daughters Aislinn and Amanda who looked after many of his needs, as indeed did his loyal carer, Kathy.

THANKS

Jimmy’s family wish to thank all his neighbours and friends, especially Johnny Whelan and Garry Lawlor and his German friends Marcus Brachtendorf and Tim Wasser.

The sudden and untimely passing of Jimmy came as a great shock to all who knew him. Many who could not attend his funeral physically were humbled and honoured to be able to link in live to Saint Mary of the Rosary Church for his Requiem Mass.

Fittingly, his remains were transported to the cemetery in a German Mercedes hearse.

At the graveside later at Lisboney New Cemetery, Tim Wasser and Markus Brachtendrof were present to sing his favourite German song, ‘En Unserem Veedel’, before his coffin was lowered beside his beloved mother, Breda, whom he had cared for so lovingly and devotedly in her final years of life when her health began to fail.

As the undertaker Philly Ryan noted, Jimmy went out in style.

MONTH’S MIND MASS

Jimmy’s Month’s Mind Mass takes place in Saint Mary of the Rosary Church on this Saturday, March 9 at 6.15pm.

He is predeceased by his beloved mother Breda and his infant brother Patrick.

He will be sadly missed by his loving daughter Lisa; son-in-law Danny and grandson Mason; his father Seán; his sisters Teresa and Helen and Helen's daughters Aislinn and Amanda; his brother Pat; aunts Bunty and Nora and uncles Matthew and Pat; Lisa's mother Claire, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, kind neighbours, relatives and his many great and loyal friends.

From all his family and friends worldwide - May you rest in peace Jimmy.