A remarkable man, quite exceptional.
For six decades Niall bestrode life in Ireland. He was a giant among his peers. A gentle humble giant - but his force and influence affected everybody with whom he came in contact. His qualities enhanced everything he touched. In the professions, in business, in sport, in the arts, in charity and above all in his family life, he set the standard which others strive to reach.
With his brothers, he inherited the family firm of Kennedy Crowley from his late father. Niall was the inspirational force which brought that firm to the prime position in Ireland and to be an International leader. He led the mergers of Kennedy Crowley, first with Forsyth and then with Stokes Brothers & Pim, to form SKC. Under his leadership, SKC transformed the profession in Ireland and achieved standards unsurpassed anywhere in the world. His involvement in the wider profession impacted on every aspect of Irish business.
He was a crucial force in the development of AIB. The true test of ability emerges in dealing with adversity. Niall's fortitude and wisdom steered AIB through some difficult waters to lay the foundations of the enormously successful bank that we see today.
Standards and quality were his interests, rather than money. He had no ambition to make a fortune. His aspiration was to create quality and continuity. To that end he was generous, sharing the fruits of his labours in creating around him people who could carry those enterprises forward. An incalculable number of people have cause to be indebted to him, however dimly they may be aware of his part in the fortunes of their organisation.
Bridge and golf were his recreations. His astute brain and patient analysis made him formidable at the bridge table. He loved golf and spent innumerable hours of contentment in those lovely places where golf is played. He formed deep bonds with his companions on the golf course. He was a major contributor to the success of the 1991 Walker Cup in Portmarnock. Apart from managing the finances, his relationship with his Maker enabled him to arrange days of glorious sunshine for that epic event.
His energy and his breadth of interests were awesome - involved at the highest level, literally all over the place - the arts, culture, Maynooth, Pavee Point, traveller accommodation, the under-privileged in Nicaragua, Nigeria and Mozambique and many others. Quite astounding.
Niall was exceptionally committed to seeking reconciliation on this island. He worked tirelessly in the British Irish Association, Co-operation North and others. He was immensely pleased to be able to vote in the recent Referendum and to be alive to see its resounding success.
Honours were showered on him. Presidencies and Chairmanships of Whatever. An Honorary Doctorate from the National University and a Pontifical Doctorate from Maynooth, a CBE from the Queen and so on. None of this affected him at all. He remained plain Niall Crowley, available and accessible to everybody looking for his help and guidance.
We are humbled in the presence of a truly humble man. He was that man. He hated pomposity or posturing. He would deal only on the level of truth, honesty and reality.
He saved the best till last, the closing months of his illness. His activity in those months was astounding. Correspondence, telephone, meetings improvised in whatever way, kept him fully involved to the end. He continued providing new ideas and new vision on so many fronts and remained an invigorating friend and adviser to so many. The diversity of his interests was never more evident than in the crowded church at Donnybrook for the beautiful ceremony of his funeral.
But his first priority was always his family, his children, his grandchildren and above all his loving wife, Una. In a moving tribute at his funeral Mass, his son, Vincent, said : "In all of this, our mother, Una, was such a never-ending well of support - always there, always loving, always inspirational. We can truly say theirs was a deep loving team effort. They supported and fed off each other. There was a love between them which was always there, but which was really exposed for all to seeing during his illness. You inspired each other and inspired all of us. Dad is now happy where he is - that was clear in how he passed away. I would like to think we are all sharing in that happiness, those of us who have been touched by him, inspired by him, loved by him, challenged by him. His love, his spirit, his fight lives on in us."
A great man has passed away. A.S.