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Gerard O’Keeffe 1946-2015
By Patricia O Keeffe, Newmarket
Gerard O Keeffe Qualified as a lawyer in the late nineteen sixties, he practiced out of his main Office in Kanturk, he also successfully practised out of offices in Tralee, Dublin City, Cork City, Killarney, Millstreet and Mallow. He lectured periodically in the Law Society for a period of Fifteen years on Court Procedures. One of his specialities in his practice is the complexities of the laws of libel and the dangers of same. He has worked for national and international artists on their financial entitlements from their works.
He is the Author of a Book entitled “The Ascent of the O’ Keeffes”. A Tracing for the first time the direct lineage of famed American Artist Georgia O Keefe to Kanturk, Co. Cork. The book was launched in Killarney in September 2011.
He is also the author of “Primarily Prison Conditions and Later Life of Oscar Wilde” The book looks primarily at the prison conditions and later life of Oscar Wilde.
“The Termination of Lethal Injection and Other Forms of Capital Punishment’ is yet another book penned by O’ Keeffe. It was launched at Kanturk Courthouse on 12th Sept. 2012. Already a noted author, this book is an historical account of capital punishment, in it’s over 60 different lethal formats. It concentrates on executions by hanging, the electric chair, gas chamber and lethal injection, all of which are vividly described to include some where mistakes and botching occurred, adding to people’s pain; some of which were excruciating and saw some people executed who should never have been convicted. On the day of the launch in Kanturk Courthouse an open forum was held where people were able to voice their verdicts on the ‘ death house museum’ plan. (The Corkman. 06-09-2012)
He co- wrote the book “Dangerous and other Driving Cases” Niall B. M. Hill Barrister at Law, and Gerard O Keeffe successfully Published this book in 1999. This book is used mainly as a book of reference for Drink Driving cases and the law attached to same.
Gerard has lectured both nationally and internationally on subjects as diverse as the poems of Percy French, the prison conditions of and experiences of Oscar Wilde- which experiences guided Wilde as to the writing of ‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’, the Scotch Irishness of Elvis Presley, and has spoken in schools throughout Ireland on ‘The Love of Words’.
Gerard O Keeffe was a President of Kanturk Golf Club and a trustee of the Kanturk Golf Association, a Trustee of Dromtarriffe Parish Hall. He was also a founder member of the Board of Management of the Patrician Academy, Mallow and Cork Community Radio, he was also a patron of St. Brendan’s National School, Rathcoole, Mallow. He has opened Art Exhibitions nationally and internationally.
He was an Honorary Chieftain of the O’ Keeffe Clan 2007. He was one of the organisers of an event for the famed Artist Georgia O’ Keeffe in Dromagh Castle. Dromtarriffe, whose paternal ancestors left the Nadd region of Duhallow in 1848. John Dillon Local Historian gave a lecture on the famed Artist. In 2010 he presided over the opening of ‘The O’ Keeffe Artefacts House’ known formally as ‘An Tigin’. Where gifts would be for sale sourced by a local business man Stephen Bowles.
Gerard’s Historical 1800’s Park House in Kanturk burned down in 2001, Park House was his home since 1973, O’Keeffe was also a noted collector of art and antiques. He rebuilt it in the stately style of its original house but on a larger scale of 4,000sq ft. Park House is steeped in local and national history. He also owned an imposing property in Martha’s Vineyard in Dalkey, Dublin. Gerard injured his ankle on the night whilst escaping the fire from which he totally recovered.
Gerard O Keeffe successfully practiced till his death in May 15th 2015, he passed away at his residence Park House, Kanturk. He was the son of Arthur and Mamie O’ Keeffe of Mallow and Co. Laois. He is survived by his brother Pat in Portlaoise and his brother Coleman of Malihide, sisters in law Anne and Breda. He has two nieces Cliona and Niamh and Three nephews Niall, Eoghan and Eamon. He is buried in Dromagh Cemetery.
Excerpts taken from “The Ascent of the O’ Keeffe’s”
Saturday, June 21, 2008, Irish Independent
June 21, 2008. The Corkman.
