Denis was a ‘larger than life man’ and loved music sessions
By Hayden Moore
IN THE days since the passing of community activist and Labour politician Denis Mackin, he has been remembered as a “larger than life” figure that immersed himself in community affairs.
After a short period of time in Tallaght University Hospital, the father of three passed away unexpectedly on Monday.
Denis Mackin was well-known for playing the guitar and having a good music session
Following the move to Kilnamanagh with his wife Betty, Denis became wholly-engaged in his community and was one of the founding members of the Kilnamanagh Family Recreation group that put the bricks and mortar down for the centre in 1989.
A devout member of the Labour Party, Denis served on South Dublin County Council for six-months in the lead up to the 2004 Local Elections after being co-optioned in the place of Pat Rabbitte.
Both Cllr Mick Duff and former TD, Pat Rabbitte, mentioned that Denis was a “larger than life” individual whilst maintaining a serious drive to improve his surroundings.
Following his passing, Cllr Duff described Denis as “more than a friend, more than a confidant” who was “an effective communicator, an excellent mediator, a socialist and trade unionist”.
He ran in the last Local Elections for Labour
“I’ve known Denis for years, I knew him before I joined the Labour Party and I soldiered with him, all across the country, in the Labour Party,” the Tallaght-Central councillor told The Echo.
“He was a larger than life man, a very talented man in many different ways and loyal, a loyal and dear friend.
“He absolutely loved the Labour Party. When I decided I was leaving the Labour Party in 2018, Denis was away in America.
“I wanted Denis to be the first person I told so I withheld my resignation for the two-weeks he was away and when I told him, of course he tried to convince me otherwise.
“But that was the level of respect I had for him, I wanted him to be the first to know.
“He was more than a friend, more than a confidant. My soul is burning at the moment.”
Denis Mackin (back row, middle) at the opening of Kilnamanagh Community Centre with former President of Ireland Patrick Hillary
Cllr Duff added: “We served on the board in Tallaght Community School and we have a motto, ‘every moment counts’.
“Denis lived by that, he left absolutely nothing behind him – other than his loved ones of course.
“But in the time and space that was allocated to him in life, he squeezed every last ounce out of it.”
Denis chaired the Board of Management in Old Bawn Community School right up until the time of his death and served as chair in Tallaght Community School in the past.
During his time working in the community, Denis was also on the board of Brookfield Addiction Support Programme and chaired the Community Centres Forum after its foundation.
By trade, Denis was a textiles expert and travelled the world working for the Office of Public Works sourcing good quality materials for state uniforms.
“Denis is the only man who could go from Kilnamanagh to China, walk into an Irish bar and somebody would say ‘howya Denis’ – that’s a true story,” Cllr Duff says laughing.
Pat Rabbitte also served in the Labour Party alongside Denis for several decades.
“To be honest, characters like Denis don’t come along too frequently,” former Minister and TD, Pat Rabbitte tells The Echo.
“There has always been outstanding community-minded people in Kilnamanagh and Tallaght, but Denis was a total once off.
“His deep community involvement in community affairs was brought on by his deep political view and he was a very much convinced Labour man.
“I don’t think there is a branch of the Labour Party in the 26 counties that doesn’t know Denis for at least his nocturnal habits of playing the banjo.
“If there was a music session going, it nearly always centred around Denis.
“I remember there was one time we were down in Killarney together at a conference and he had a proprietor from a local pub ringing him asking if he could come down for a few hours.
“So they started making all of these special arrangements for him and his party to come down and play the banjo for a few hours, and after he left the sing-song went on for hours.
“He was much loved for the session.
“Remarkably he was always in a good humour, he was a shrewd commentator on the political scene with strong views.
“Invariably, he was always in a good mood and I always felt better after talking to him.”
Denis Mackin is survived by his wife Betty, children John, Denis and Ciara and his 10 grandchildren.
A small private family funeral will be held at 10am on Friday morning in St Kevin’s Church in Kilnamanagh followed by his cremation service at Newlands Cross Crematorium at 11.40am.
