Tributes after death of much-loved Grogan’s barman who worked in pub for over 50 years

Tributes have been paid following the death of a long-standing and popular barman at Grogan’s pub in Dublin.

Grogan’s Castle Lounge made the announcement with “great sadness” that Sean Kearney, their “great friend” and colleague of over 50 years, had passed away on Wednesday.

Mr Kearney, who lived in Palmerstown, was a native of Co Offaly before moving to Dublin.

Grogan’s added that he would be missed “immensely by all”, and said it will be closing its doors on Tuesday as a mark of respect on the day of Mr Kearney’s funeral.

Dublin historian and Three Castles Burning podcaster Donal Fallon took to social media, saying Mr Kearney was “surely a contender” for the longest-serving barman in the city.

Mr Fallon added that he had worked in the International before spending more than five decades in Grogan’s, working with Joe Grogan before it was acquired by Kennedy and Smith in the 1970s.

“He is immortalised in the stained-glass features,” Mr Fallon said.

“Like Paddy O’Brien before him, he was part of a tradition of skilled barmen who became synonymous with the institutions in which they worked.”

A notice on RIP.ie says: “The death has occurred of Sean Kearney of Palmerstown, formerly of Clonbollogue, Co Offaly, and Grogan’s bar. Passed away peacefully in St James’s Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

“Very sadly missed by his family, relatives, wide circle of friends and neighbours.”

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