Tribute: Longford woman who miraculously escaped Stardust fire lived an extraordinary life

The recent sad death of Joan Barrett (née O’Sullivan) severs a link with the past for the members of the Longford Association in Dublin.

Joan, of Artane, Dublin 5 and formerly of Drumlish, Co Longford and Pompano Beach, Florida, died peacefully, in the care of Beaumont Hospital, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, November 15.  

She was predeceased by her husband Tim and sons Tim and Joe. Very sadly missed by her loving children John, Mary, Denis, Michelle, Kay and Fergal, sons-in-law Leo and Rodney, daughters-in-law Elaine, Ruth, Maire and Teresa, her adored grandchildren Tim, Sean, Niall, Amy, Sarah, Ciara, Tadhg, Dylan, Niamh, Evan, DJ, Saibh and Gavin, great grandchildren Erin-Lily, Layla, Robyn, Isabella, NJ, Ellie, Rosie, Sophie and Lucy, her beloved brother John, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbours.

Joan Barrett joined the Longford Association in Dublin in 1982 and “brought with her a great vibrancy, energy and a love of music, song and performance”, remembers Gerry Quinn, the then Association secretary.

She produced the Association’s talent show, which won outright the talent competition in 1983 and ‘84 then organised by the Laois Association in Dublin. “We enjoyed many great nights performing on stage in the Capital”, says Gerry.

Caption: The Longford Association Inter County Talent Team, who in 1984, won for the second year in succession, the All-Ireland Talent competition, sponsored by the Laois Association

Joan was also our PRO, reporting into The Longford News and Leader on the Association’s behalf during separate periods.

Joan (née O’Sullivan) was born and raised in Esker North, Drumlish. She attended her local primary school, Drumshanbo, where, incidentally, she was later a substitute teacher – “a testament to her love of learning and giving back to her roots”, says her son, Fergal. She completed her secondary education as a boarder in St Mary’s Holy Faith, Glasnevin, Dublin, which experience, Fergal believes “built the foundations of her resilience and independence”, which later was to hold her in good stead when her life was hit by a dreadful tragedy.

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After school Joan emigrated to Slough, west of the city of London, and soon she met Kerryman, Tim Barrett - and their love story began. They got married in England, but soon felt the pull of home and returned to Dublin in 1960. Tim took up the role of a clerk before securing a position with ITGWU at Liberty Hall. In 1966 they moved to Hazelwood Park, Artane (still the family home) and, remembers Fergal, “built a family home filled with love and laughter”.

It was an idyllic life, but sadly a terrible tragedy struck in February 1973, when Joan lost her beloved, Tim,  and the children lost their loving young dad, in a road accident. “It was then that mam’s strength shone brighter than ever”, says Fergal with admiration. 

It was a shocking time for Joan, then just 35, and her seven young children; it would have broken a lesser human being, but Joan’s innate fortitude and resilience came to the fore and she used all her considerable personal resources to do what she had to do to look after her family – “she transformed her home into a creche and kindergarten, providing care and early education for up to 19 children at one stage”, says Fergal; she also worked as a substitute primary teacher in a school close to her home and took another job as an accounts assistant. And night time saw her going to work in the famous ‘Stardust’ night club to manage the cloakroom. Indeed, she was working on the fateful night of the big fire in the Stardust on St Valentine’s night, February 1981, miraculously escaping uninjured with the help of one of the bouncers on duty. 

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After what she’d been through in her life up to the 1980’s you’d think she would have taken it a little easy! Not Joan, however; her adventurous spirit saw her with her daughters, Michelle and Kay, and son, Fergal, join her son, Denis in Pompano Beach, Florida in 1988, where together they opened the Harp and Piper bar which became a vibrant centre for the Irish community. Fergal continues, “from behind the bar, Mam’s passion for community and connection flourished. She co-ran the Irish Emigration Society with Dennis McAllister, hosted Noraid fundraisers, and was a driving force behind the founding of St Patrick’s GAA Club of South Florida”. 

Joan returned to Dublin ten years later, in 1998 – and didn’t stop there!  She became a published author as a member of the Ardlea Writers’ Group in Artane and co-wrote with the group - which included three grandmothers (one of whom was Joan) and a nun - “Last Tango in Ibiza”, a somewhat steamy novel on the goings-on on the famous Mediterranean island! It was published in 2001 and sold 4,000 copies in Ireland alone; it had been launched by the then Lord Mayor of Dublin at the Mansion House. The media were naturally intrigued and the group featured on the Late Late show with Gay Byrne and had numerous pictures and stories in the Irish newspapers. It was an exciting time for Joan.

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By any measure Joan lived an extraordinary, indeed inspirational, life, “demonstrating great resilience in the face of adversity”, emphasises Fergal, who sees his mam’s life as a “blend of strength, love  and tireless dedication to family and community. She wasn’t just a mother - she was a leader, a caregiver, and a shining light for all who knew her”, he says.

For our part we feel privileged to have had Joan as a leading member of our organisation for so long and, speaking personally, I will miss receiving her Christmas card every year.

The members of the Association extend our deepest sympathy to her family John, Mary, Denis, Michelle, Kay and Fergal (sadly her son, Joe, predeceased her last January), her brother, John, Drumlish, extended family and myriad friends. Rest In Peace, Joan.

(My thanks to Fergal Barrett for his great help with this obituary)