Miscellaneous

John O'Shea - a proud Kerryman in charge of London GAA


by Weeshie Fogarty

 John Shea was born on the 13th May 1949 in Park Royal Hospital, London. His father Tom O'Shea originated from Lawer, near Glencar, Co. Kerry, and his mother Bridget O'Sullivan hailed from Dromid, Mastergeehy.

Both of his parents came to London in the thirties and he believes they actually met in The Galtymore in Cricklewood.

Ironically his name should be O'Shea and not just Shea. Whilst changing one's name is not difficult everything he has done in life and every document associated with him is in the name John Shea. Also everyone that knows him used this name. However O'Shea is very definitely the correct name as inscribed on the gravestones of his grandparents.

From a very young age he was brought to Kerry every year for the school summer holidays. Spending his time mostly on the farm in Dromid. He always visited all the neighbours and relatives which to this day calls when on his visits to Dromid.

The eldest of three children he spent his early life living in Willesden Green in North West London. In 1956 the family had to split up as they had to leave there home with nowhere to go. His father went to stay with one of his brother's and John stayed with a sister of his mothers in Kilburn. His mother, sister and baby brother were put into a Church Army hostel in Marble Arch in Central London. This situation continued for a period of approximately six month's.

John has enjoyed a quite varied working life, his first job was in a solicitor's office in Lincolns Inn and following this tried accountancy and spent some time as an auditor.

He also worked as a postman in central London for a short period and spent a large part of his working life in the media working for the London Evening Standard and the Daily & Sunday Express on the marketing side.

At the age of 40 he joined the police force full time, to which he continues today to work for. From being the local beat bobby to working on emergency response teams to crime squads and in the CID, he is a recruit trainer for new officers joining the service.

Married to his wife Ann with two grown up children, son Mark is a police officer and daughter Caroline is looking to join the police also. Ann is a social worker in the mental health field.

Prior to his parent's deaths he was aware they were becoming isolated as many of their relatives and friends had died. He went to the Irish Centre in Camden Town to contact the Kerry Association and maybe put them in touch with people they will have something in common with but unfortunately The Council of Irish Counties London (CICA) informed him that the Kerry Association no longer existed. The CICA were however aware that someone was looking to restart it. He was put in touch with Michael Rice who was in the early stages of resurrecting the Kerry Association. So together with Michael, Shilagh McCarthy, Noel O'Sullivan, Christy Kissane and a few more an inaugural meeting of the new Kerry Association took place. The rest as they say is history.

Subsequent to meeting up with the CICA he became a member of their committee and today on their executive committee which involves organising the St. Patrick's Day Parade in London and many other functions throughout the year.

Also last year after a directive from the Rose of Tralee committee the Kerry Association was withdraws from alliance with selection. A new London Rose of Tralee committee was set up of which John is on.

Somewhat taken aback to be the new chairman of the Kerry Association, he almost feels a fraud with his English accent but his heart is in Kerry.

To conclude he looks forward to the challenges of the coming year and will do everything to enhance the excellent reputation of the Association, and feels very honoured to be the elected new Chairman.

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