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Fabulous, flirtatious and a force of nature.
Declan McChesney travelled widely and was constantly tweeting “Joie de vivre!” from airports throughout Europe. He accompanied his tweets with customary photos of his legs crossed, shoes in full view, whilst enjoying a table laden with croissants and espresso or Rosé wine and olives.
The guy had an elegance to him.
On October 7 this year, Declan checked out and made his final journey.
He had a zest for life and his enthusiasm was without parallel. He was infectious. A person who loved to be surrounded by people and someone people wanted to be around.
He was addicted to the joys of living, whether it was through his family, his friends or his customers. Declan wasn’t the sort of person to be missed in a crowded room. His arrival was an announcement.
Born into a highly respected family of Newry retailers, Declan’s destiny was mapped out. Fashion was in his DNA. He started working as a young boy alongside his parents and sisters.
Cahill Brothers first opened their doors in 1894. And when they finally closed in 2021, it fell to Declan to bring down the shutters, not just on the shop, but also on an era of Newry retail.
It was of great consolation to Declan that he was able to sell the Hill Street premises to another long-established family of local retailers, the McWhirters.
Declan was a born salesman. And shoes were both his passion and expertise. It was a job he absolutely adored. Whilst it was hard work, Declan made it look effortless. Ladies flocked to Cahill Brothers as much for the craic and banter as the style and ambience.
And Declan had banter by the barrel. His stories and yarns were legendary – and some were even true.
He maintained an exuberance of youthfulness throughout his life.
Hip? Sometimes. On trend? Always.
A loquacious wordsmith of some eloquence, he loved puns and jokes – many of the latter were truly awful but his wide grin and glint of mischievousness drew his audience in. And once in, they were hooked.
A Declan McChesney on form was like having Christmas lights all year round. His humour was hilariously irreverent, often gilt edged with a slither of harmless bawdiness.
He was a passionate man who liked drama. In fact, he thrived on it. But his passions led him to give back to his community – through the Chamber of Trade, then Commerce, the City Centre Management Partnership, the establishment of the Christmas Charity lunch and, latterly, Newry BID.
Totally committed to his fellow townsfolk, Declan was colour blind when it came to the politics of orange or green. He was equally indifferent to religious divisions. First and foremost, he saw neighbours.
During his 47 years at Cahill Brothers, he was a splash of colour in a town darkened by trouble and turbulent times. Little wonder that Declan was amongst the first retailers to embrace the Pride rainbow when it became part of the Newry civic calendar. He was gregarious and great company. Generous. Gifted.
By his own admission in a retirement interview to the Newry Reporter, Declan revealed he was late to the marital bed chamber.
His run as Newry’s most eligible bachelor was finally ended when he won the heart of the great love of his life, Maryanne. It was an enduring and loving partnership.
At heart, behind the flamboyance, footwear and fashion was a family man. A husband, father, grandfather and brother. During his recent illness, Declan’s wife and children remained close to him through every stage. The good and the bad.
Declan McChesney was an ambassador for Newry and independent retailing. He was the last in line of his family business. One imagines when he reaches the Pearly Gates, there won’t be a barefooted angel left in heaven.
Declan is survived by his devoted wife, Maryanne, loving children Keith, Lauren and Greg, his granddaughter Arianna and his sisters.
Tom Kelly
PS
Calling up to his home for a Newry.ie interview about Cahill Brothers following its closure Declan exclaimed to me "Did you polish your shoes because you knew you were coming up to see me" I was so pleased he had noticed. It certaintly wasn't every occasion they got the full treatment, but I wasn't taking any chances that time. The smiling face on Hill Street is just a memory now, his shoes will be impossible to fill.
Columba O'Hare
