The Late Tom Wrenn, Cordal, Castleisland

Management and staff of Ahern’s Garage pictured on the final at their Limerick Road base before the move to Tralee Road before Christmas 2005. Front from left: Dan Daly, Tom Prendiville, Denis Downey, Tom Wren, Tim McAuliffe, Shane Hamill, Mike O’Mahony, Declan Linehan, Padraig Doherty and Barry Lynch. Back from left: Paul Horan, Paul Ahern, Pat Ahern, Brian Dugdale, Declan O’Hara Theresa Finn, Mary O’Connor, Patrick Daughton, JJ. Murphy, Tim Horgan, Ray Ahern, Billy Broderick, Mick Ahern, Pat Moloney and Ray O’Callaghan. ©Photograph: John Reidy 23-12-2005

The late Tom Wrenn posing with neighbour, Bridget Mannix at the cheque presentation evening at Hughes’ Bar after the Movember 2015 fundraiser. ©Photograph: John Reidy 2-12-2015

Cordal GAA Club officers making plans for the great times ahead at their clubhouse in September 2013. Included are: Nora Fealey, Charlie Farrelly, the late Tom Wrenn and Richard O’Donoghue. ©Photograph: John Reidy 15-9-2013

GAA President elect, Seán Kelly performed the official opening of Cordal GAA Club grounds and facilities on the Monday of the August bank holiday weekend of 2002. Unveiling a plaque to the memory of the late John Roche, Mr. Kelly was joined on the occasion by club officials from left: Breda Wrenn, Charlie Farrelly, the late Tom Wrenn, Jimmy and Joan Roche – son and daughter-in-law of John Roche. ©Photograph: John Reidy 5-8-2002

One of the great days in the late Tom Wrenn’s life and a proud moment for Cordal GAA Club PRO, Nora Fealey (left) as Charlie Farrelly presents her framed photograph of the re-opened field and facilities to Frances Farrell with her husband, Aogán Ó Fearghail, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael in the presence of: Seán Kelly, MEP and the late Tom Wrenn, Chairman Cordal GAA Club at the reopening ceremony last June. ©Photograph: John Reidy 7-6-2015

The late Tom Wrenn representing his side of the parish at the opening procession of the February 2014 Castleisland Parish Mission with: Siobhán O’Donoghue, Cross-bearer; Monica Prendiville, representing Castleisland Day Care Centre and Richard O’Donoghue, Cordal GAA Club. ©Photograph: john Reidy 23-2-2014

Another high point: At the Cordal GAA Club Pre Gala Dinner reception at Hughes’s Bar in November 2013 were from left: the late Tom Wrenn, club chairman; Tomás Garvey, Garvey’s SuperValu, sponsors; Nora Fealey, club PRO; Liam O’neill, GAA national president and Jim Garvey, Garvey’s SuperValu. ©Photograph: John Reidy 21-11-2013

If you ever needed to epotomise or personify the oft used phrase ‘A Community Man’ – then, Tom Wrenn fitted every imaginable category of that broad sweep.
Every baptised child, every holy communion, confirmation, wedding – Tom was there as parish clerk at all the important points in the circle of life of so many people.
Cordal GAA Club members will miss their chairman, inspirational leader, referee, worker and only recently honoured East Kerry Board servant.
Tom (63) and his beloved club have gone through so much together over the past few short years. From the low point of having their unplayable pitch closed down to the highs of having two different GAA presidents attending high profile club events.
The latest of these was the glorious occasion on which the facility reopened in June of last summer.
Long and loyal service was a hallmark of Tom Wrenn’s life and that extended to his career as a mechanic. As boy and man he worked with Ahern’s Garage for over 45 years. Ahern’s director, Pat Ahern, in paying tribute to Tom this morning said that Tom was one of the main men in the Ahern’s set up.
“He has been here a lot longer that most of us and he’s known throughout the county and beyond by people who have had vehicles tested here over the years. He’s a huge loss to us and another link with the origins of the firm lost, God rest him,” said Mr. Ahern.
There will be a lot more written about the late Tom Wrenn in the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, their community and that of the GAA will gather around his wife Breda and daughter Bríd and mourn with them in their loss. May God be good to him.

The announcement and funeral arrangements for the late Tom Wrenn are as follows:
March 13th 2016, peacefully, at his residence after a short illness bravely borne. Beloved husband of Breda and adored father of Brid. Brother of the late Jerry R.I.P. Sadly missed by his loving wife and daughter, Brid’s fiance Daryl, brother Patsy, sisters Geraldine and Mary, sisters-in-law Eileen, Bridget and Tess, brothers-in-law Bill, Jimmy and Bernard, nephews, nieces, all extended family, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. Rest In Peace
Reposing at Tangney’s Funeral Home, Castleisland on Tuesday evening from 4pm to 7pm. Private removal from his residence on Wednesday morning arriving to Cordal Church for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in Tobar na Bhfionn Cemetery, Cordal. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu to the Irish Cancer Society c/o Tangney’s Funeral Home, Castleisland. House private please. May his gentle soul rest in peace.