An Appreciation:DENIS McCarthy, who died on May 28th, 2010 was a remarkable man whose outstanding attribute was a generosity of spirit and enthusiastic energy that infused the many spheres of life he touched.
Denis was born in Dublin in 1921, educated in the formal sense in Belvedere College and in the broader aspects of life, such as business, horse racing and poker, by his father Peter, who not only endowed his son with knowledge and nous in these aspects of living but also instilled in him the ethic that if one was fortunate to be dealt a good hand in the lottery of life there was an obligation to give of oneself to better the cause of society.
Denis entered the O’Dearest furniture and mattress business that had been founded by his grandfather Michael O’Dea and the family interest in horse racing was the starting point for a lifelong friendship with Vincent OBrien. He was a member of the Racing Board for over 20 years and a senior steward of the Turf Club for six years, during which time he was the driving force in the introduction of Sunday racing to Ireland.
He likewise devoted his managerial energies to the sport of golf and was involved with many clubs, most notably Milltown Golf Club, which was very dear to his heart.
Continuing in the family tradition he was elected to the managing committee of the Charitable Infirmary (Jervis Street hospital) in 1967 becoming chairman in 1973.
When the hospital joined with St Laurences Hospital to form Beaumont Hospital in 1987, Denis served on the board of the new hospital for many years, and was chairman of both the Drug Treatment Centre and the Charitable Infirmary Charitable Trust, overseeing the award of some €4 million to medical research.
His death marks the end of exactly a century of unbroken service by the McCarthy family to better the lives of the “sick and needy” of Dublin.
Denis was an accomplished chairman whose style was a unique blend of mischievous humour and irascibility, qualities that served as a protective shield for a sensitive and vulnerable personality.
He abhorred indecisiveness and though he appeared at times to be brusque and sometimes excessively tenacious in seeking detail, he always acted in the best interest of whatever body he represented.
Denis loved and took great pride in his sons, daughters and grandchildren. When Rhona died his life lost much meaning but memories of happy days sustained him and he remained actively engaged in his many pursuits until shortly before his death. Requiescat in pace.
E OB