‘A man for all seasons’ was one of the tributes that sought to encapsulate all that the late Denis Noonan​ contributed to the community of Clonakilty throughout his long and colourful life.

‘Clonakilty will be lesser without him,’ another person said in a book of condolences that was opened online so people could reach out to Denis’s wife Josephine, and their children John, Patrick, Laurie and Anthony, and let them know just how much he will be missed.

Denis was formerly of Islandbridge in Dublin and Gorey in Wexford, but since his appointment as one of the kindest and most knowledgeable court clerks in the country, he took up residence at 52 Pearse Street in Clonakilty.

It was a job that kept him busy because so many people, including the judiciary, members of the legal profession, and those attending the court, relied heavily on him.

Following his retirement, Denis almost became part of the street furniture at Pearse Street because it was here, near the archway at O’Donovan’s Hotel, that he and other members of the local rugby club could be found sitting side-by-side selling Clonakilty RFC lotto tickets.

Despite the torrential rainfall on Friday October 3rd hundreds attended his funeral and respectfully walked with him​, down Edward Twomey Street, South Square, Connolly Street, Rossa Street, Pearse Street and on to his final resting place at St Mary’s Cemetery.

Everyone knew about Denis’s passion for performance, live music being a mainstay of his life. It was something that added to his sense of youthful zeal.

Everyone knew too that he had a great sense of humour and would crack up at the delivery of, or the hearing of, a good joke.

But there were only a few people who would, or could, tease him about being a Georgie Best lookalike.

Amidst the very many condolences, people described Denis as ‘a gentleman’ and noted ‘the positive contribution he made to so many organisations in Clonakilty, as well as being chairman of the Inchydoney Inshore Lifeboat Association in the 70s.’

Lots of people got to know him through hurling and as a referee. As a younger man, he was said to have been ‘a beautiful​, skilful hurler and true gent on the field.’

His fine footballing skills were much commented on too, but in the tributes made at Clonakilty District Court on Tuesday morning, solicitor Jim Brooks said Denis could also tell stories against himself. Jim cited, as an example, the time that Denis was put in goals, a position that did not suit him.

It seems he let 10 through and, thereafter, whenever anyone who knew about this would ask Denis the time he’d say: ‘It’s 10 past Noon.’

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.