Mr Austin Keating

MANY people in Downpatrick have been saddened by the sudden and peaceful death of one of its best known residents, Mr Austin Keating, who passed away at his home on March 16.

Austin, who was 73, was the eldest of six children to Walter and Florrie Keating, who were both originally from Co Wexford. Austin was born on January 29, 1944, at Ballystrew, outside Downpatrick, where his father worked for Dr MacNabb.

The family moved to New Bridge Street before settling in Scotch Street in 1953. Austin attended the Convent Primary School in Irish Street and the De La Salle School in Edward Street.

While at school he worked on his father’s farm and full time thereafter. He had a passion for growing flowers and plants, and joined the DoE Nursery section Crossgar, which supplied flowers for municipal areas throughout the region. He and two colleagues landscaped the new Carryduff roundabout and named each of the three mounds after themselves.

Austin became head green keeper at Downpatrick Golf Club, a position he held for over 20 years. This was more than a job. He spent well in excess of his paid hours at the course, often from 5am until late in the evening preparing for competitions.

He managed the restructuring and redevelopment of the 18 holes with the acquisition of extra land and set the foundations which enabled the course to reach its present status — a true legacy of his work and dedication to the club.

Austin was involved in many sports. He played trades league cricket and darts, and enjoyed hill walking, rambling and especially football. He was a referee in the Downpatrick Youth League for some years and a successful manager of the Corinthians team which resulted in him being named Senior Manager of the Year in 1975. Many of the young boys under his charge went on to play senior football.

He became involved with Downpatrick Rec from its inception as an amalgamation of local teams. He prepared pitches and worked behind the scenes on match days. He was proud to be the club chairman when the Rec won the Steel and Sons Cup in 1977. One friend commented that he was the Rec’s best ever player without kicking a ball, such was his often unseen contribution.

Austin was involved in local voluntary and community work. He helped establish the first youth club in Downpatrick near his home in the early 1960s. He was a member of the Civil Defence and a part-time fireman until he was injured during a call-out to a fire at a local hay barn.

Though he travelled to New Zealand and across Europe, he loved to spend his spare time in Blackwater, Co Wexford, which was his father’s birthplace. In retirement he spent the summer holidays there with his family in the company of local relatives.

Austin married Ann in 1993 and the couple had three children, Patrick, Simon and Rachel, who gave him a whole new perspective on life. He later became a proud grandfather to Archie, Jax, Ruby Rose and Amber.

The large funeral was testimony to Austin’s popularity, with family and friends joined by former colleagues from the Fire Service and Downpatrick Rec, green keepers and relatives and friends from Wexford and Dublin.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Austin is survived by his daughters-in-law, Leigh and Melissa, brothers Brendan (New Zealand) and David, and sisters Marie, Ursula and Pauline (New Zealand).

He is sadly missed by his entire family, but will never be forgotten.