Former Ireland international Shane Byrne lays father Arthur to rest – ‘Dad was like an anti-hero, causing chaos wherever he went’

An avid rugby man with long-standing ties to Arklow Rugby Club, Arthur was a talented player in his youth, representing his local club with distinction, helping grow the sport in the community and inspiring new generations of players, including his son and former Ireland international Shane Byrne.

After meeting the love of his life Elizabeth and getting married in 1966, the smitten couple set down deep roots, raising children Billy, Shane and Rachael, and in later years, welcoming five granddaughters – Alex, Kerry, Sophia, Zoe and Ella Rose, with Kerry this year representing Wicklow – and rugby – at the Rose of Tralee.

Leading the tributes to Arthur’s life and love for devilment, his brother Bryan reminisced about his sibling’s challenging early years and rugby’s positive impact during his formative years.

“His early life wasn’t easy and, unfortunately, Arthur had undiagnosed dyslexia all his life, which led to him not being academically good,” he said.

“Even without that, the parents sent him off to Terenure, which was probably a good thing, because that is where he learned his rugby. He went off there in ‘53 and excelled at rugby, so they kept him on until the Junior Cert when he wasn’t allowed to sit it. That was the way of the time, and I think he loved it.

“He left there in ‘57 and came home. Unfortunately, it was deemed not good enough by the family, so he went off to work on the milk trucks (where he perfected his driving technique) at 16, in the days when you didn’t really need a driver’s licence – and you could drink and drive!

“After that, he went off to London to became a welder, and he was a brilliant welder. He came back home two years later, when Ireland was just hitting the swinging 60s and the time of the ballrooms of romance, and he certainly took up that life!

“He came back to Arklow when the rugby club was just starting, with lots of local guys starting to play. Arthur was at the centre of it because he was one of the few with a car (he had this knack for acquiring cars), which could fit nine and one in the boot!

“Known for his prowess on the pitch, Arthur did well and I recall one of the more famous games against Wicklow – the old enemy – where he was playing against a couple of his cousins.

“In the very first scrum, they had this guy who was a boxer, and he punched poor old Arthur, and down he went. The Johns ambulance brought him to the hospital, with him shouting that there was nothing up with him, and it was purely a ruse to get him off the pitch, as there were no subs in those days!

“One of his proudest moments, Arthur also played with Arklow at Lansdowne Road in the Leinster Senior Cup, playing Old Wesley, who included three internationals. Wesley won 11-9, but it was a hell of a performance from Arthur.

“He went on to look after Arklow Rugby club in a big way, and we loved to travel to the world cups, which led to a famous run-in with the police in New Zealand, and another in Barcelona after a night at a nightclub!

“A big change came in Arthur when the Freeman family bought a farm at the back of Aughrim, and Arthur met Elizabeth – and the rest is history,” he added.

“They got married in ‘66 and he changed his ways (a little bit) and went to all the matches, looking after everyone, bar himself.

“Looking at the condolences page, it’s clear that rugby people got on so well with him, but he wasn’t the easiest man to get along with – he had a life of his own.

“Arthur hadn’t been well for the past two years and that wasn’t his style, but the local community and the crowd down at Paddy’s pub so wonderfully sustained him, and we thank you all very much for that.

“Thank you all for coming today – what a guy.”

Adding to the touching and light-hearted tribute, middle child Shane described his father as “an anomaly” and someone who was the talk of any party or social gathering.

“Thank you for joining us today in this celebration of Dad’s life – the last few nights we have certainly been celebrating and not mourning,” he began.

“He was an anomaly, from the point of view of a poor, neglected middle child!

“Billy was the eldest, and out with Dad all the time. As far as I was concerned, he used to go into the garage, roll around in any oil he could find, spill some diesel on himself, and then come home. Billy got all the attention back then.

“Dad was a good man and worked very hard, would arrive home, have his tea and fall asleep. As I started to grow up, Rachael arrived, putting me in the middle bracket, and there was no way I’d get any attention, just yet.

“When I got to the age to socialise with Dad, I realised that everyone loved him. He was the belle of the ball. People wanted to be in his company.

“Most of the time they’d be haggling over the price of a pint or a bet, always arguing, but people wanted to be around him.

“As life moved on, I started playing rugby up in Blackrock, and for about 18 years, Mum and Dad were always at the games.

“Everyone was always asking about them, and when we went on trips together with Ireland, it was the same. They’d hold black-tie dinners in Cork for the players after a match, and all the players knew where the Byrnes were. If you weren’t bringing your girlfriend or spouse, and you were free to have a few beers, you’d go back to the Aughrim crew where Dad was holding court.

“It was at that time that Dad actually nearly gave me a compliment one day,” he joked.

“I was man of the match versus Argentina that day, and he said fair play to me, but ‘you missed that tackle before halftime, didn’t you?’

“Dad was a force of nature, like an anti-hero, causing chaos wherever he went. Dad loved those times down in Paddy’s, and it was very important to him when he started to get ill that he got back to that, to the gossip, the slagging and the messing that went on.

“Thanks for the last couple of years to the people who were very important to the family, and also to the Beacon Hospital staff who were amazing, Suzie, the rock of the Byrne family, the nurses in the Aughrim dispensary, Niall and all the staff at Aughrim Pharmacy and the wonderful carers at Caremark.

“Thank you all for everything and being here. Let’s hope he’s up there haggling with St Peter about the scrap value of the gate to heaven!”

Offering their condolences, Arklow Rugby Club honoured Arthur with a post on their social media account.

“It is with great regret that Arklow Rugby Club has learned of the passing of Arthur Byrne, former player and stalwart of the club for many years,” it reads.

“We wish to offer our sincerest condolences to his wife Liz, his children Shane (current ARFC Amazons Coach) Billy and Rachael (former players) and granddaughters Kerry, Alex, Zoe and Sophia (current players) and to the wider Byrne family including his brothers Dudley and Brian, all who have been part of the fabric of the club.”

Arthur Byrne was laid to rest at Macreddin Cemetery in Aughrim on Monday, June 24.