The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
WARM tributes have been paid to Darren Richmond, who died after falling from a cliff in Kilkee last week. Darren, who had lived in Barefield and was originally from the UK, was well known in local music circles.
His funeral was at Shannon Crematorium on Monday and paying tribute to Darren, his friend Dave Harper said he had been an immensely likeable character. “Our journey as friends started almost 20 years ago. He had moved into the old Station House in Crusheen where I was living, both of us invited by Moya who had originally rented the house,” he said.
“I immediately took to this big gentle lad, and we became great friends. We established a regular music session in the local pub in Crusheen and Darren started learning the bodhrán so he could join in and he wowed us with his great singing voice and his vast repertoire of songs.
“The Station House became a go-to place for sessions and parties and for a few years we hosted friends at Christmas for what we called the waifs-and-strays Christmas dinner. I’m sure a few of you will remember those. They were great days and many of you here will have great memories of those days.”
He said that Darren had a huge array of skills and talents. “Darren, to coin a phrase, was a top bloke. Master of all trades, builder, mechanic, plumber, electrician and others, right down to beautiful fine crafts such as his amazing stained glass work and metalwork from his workshop”.
Dave also said that Darren knew a huge amount of songs, and had an amazing capacity to learn them. “His ability never ceased to amaze me, he could learn 10 or 15 verses of a song in two days without really sitting down. He’d be up a ladder and be singing away, that was our Darren.”
He said the Crusheen Singers Club had been “very dear to Darren’s heart” and that he had become a “firm favourite with his eclectic mix of songs.”
In latter years he said Darren had enjoyed regular sessions in Corofin. “The Yellow Submarine
opened in Corofin and the all day trad sessions started on Sundays. To this day we all gather every week. Darren would call it the Church.”
Darren had a great fondness for dogs, he added. “He loved his dogs, particularly lurchers and gave great life and home to a few, particularly Bess. Although she has a huge amount of energy she’s a darling and she loves people and gets on well with other friends’ dogs.”
Dave said that his friend often spoke warmly of his family, while he was a very welcoming character. “He had the ability to bring together the finest of souls and would welcome anyone who landed on his door step.”
Darren will be hugely missed, he added. “All of us are still reeling from his tragic accident and will never feel quite the same again. Darren was one of those rare people who had time for everybody and would always make it his top priority to help wherever he could. So many stories will be told about him and he will be remembered by all of us, family, friends, customers and anybody else he had dealings with.
“Go easy my friend, the world has lost one of the good ‘uns.”
In a statement the Department of Transport outlined the circumstances behind Darren’s death.
“Valentia Coast Guard was alerted to a Cliff incident at Kilkee Co Clare shortly after 3pm on July 12. The Shannon based Coast Guard helicopter, R115 and the Kilkee Coast Guard boat unit were immediately tasked.
“R115 was airborne approximately 10 minutes later and was reported on scene within 20 minutes of being tasked. Kilkee Coast Guard boat was launched and reported on scene 10 minutes after R115.
“Upon arrival on scene, R115 recovered one person from the water but unfortunately attempts to revive the casualty were unsuccessful,” it stated.
“It is understood that the casualty had fallen from the cliff while fishing and was possibly injured prior to entering the water.
“While the casualty was being recovered it became apparent that a second casualty was stranded on the face of the cliff and in significant danger.
“R115 with the assistance of Kilkee Coast Guard Unit, the Kilkee and Kilrush Fire Service effected a winching operation to rescue the casualty, before transferring him into the care of the HSE who were also on scene.
“The initial faller was subsequently transferred to University Hospital Kerry by R115 where a post mortem was carried out.
“The Irish Coast Guard extends its condolences to family and friends of the deceased.”
Darren is survived by his parents Bob and Sheila, brother Stuart, sisters Angela and Vicky and his children Chris, Rain, Rob, Sam, Shannon, Jasmine and Tiffany.
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
