Remembering Our Dear Friend & Chairman, Brendan McAtamney
Click here to view memories of our dear friend Brendan
Obituary
Brendan McAtamney passed away on the morning of Saturday, 21st December 2024. He is survived by his mother, Kathleen, his wife Caroline, children Eoin, Aisling, Éanna and Aoife, grandchildren Cora and Leo, brothers Martin and Kieran, sister Anne, extended family and a vast circle of friends and colleagues. Our most sincere condolences are extended to them on their sad loss.
The announcement of Brendan’s passing was not entirely unexpected but was no less sorrowful for his LISN colleagues. Many tears were shed, many hugs and kind words were exchanged, and many stories and narratives of his career, travels and antics on the golf course, at his tennis club and with his soccer team were shared.
Most of us at LISN first encountered Brendan at the St. Vincent’s University Hospital Liver Transplant Programme 30th anniversary in October 2023 at which he spoke of his experiences as a relatively new liver transplant recipient (he was nine months post-transplant). He spoke eloquently of his time in hospital, the great care he received and the close friendships he made, but his generosity to his donor and donor’s family was the overwhelming sentiment of his address. It also struck me how positive and energetic he was, and how ‘alive’ he seemed on that day!
With time, the development of the Liver Patient Support Group, now Liver Ireland Support Network or LISN was guided, firstly by Clive Curley as Chair and then by Brendan, and we aimed high and pushed ourselves to achieve more and more. Brendan was tireless in this and got the best from us all in order to make LISN as successful a voluntary organisation as possible. He believed in LISN and the necessity for a patient-led support organisation for liver patients and families, and this passion and enthusiasm were infectious. He believed in supporting others, in fairness, in generosity and in offering liver patients and their families as much as possible in terms of experiential information, practical supports, psychological supports, patient advocacy and education, and not least, the promotion of organ donation among the public at large.
Friends, neighbours and work colleagues spoke of his dedication, passion and devotion to his work, his strong leadership skills and his enthusiasm and encouragement as a leader. He made time for everyone and was known for his kindness, generosity and positivity to those who met him, worked with him and who spent time with him. His approach to LISN and towards the committee members was similar. While quite direct – perhaps with a CEO-type approach at times - and very efficient – meetings were always brief but fruitful - he was also genuine, thoughtful, light-hearted and great fun.
At fortnightly Zoom meetings, which were efficiently chaired - rarely lasting more than one hour - he shared ideas, delegated tasks and expected the best from the committee. During his treatment, he continued to approve documents, make new suggestions and organise fundraising events.
In October, LISN hosted a very successful Joint Educational Event in conjunction with the Irish Liver Foundation (ILF), which was almost single-handedly organised by Brendan. Attended by a large number of liver patients and their families, in addition to representatives from the IKA, St. Vincent’s University Hospital and the RVH Liver Support Group, this was one of the highlights of 2024 and secured future collaborations with the ILF.
Over time, Brendan became more fatigued and had less and less energy but still fought hard, remaining as Chair and living life to the best of his abilities as he faced his ongoing health battles. Most of us received emails or messages regarding our roles just days before he passed away – he was still planning to host our next meeting.
Brendan McAtamney received his life-saving liver transplant on 2nd January 2023. This gift gave him almost two more years of life, two more years to share with his family and friends and two more years to help launch and develop LISN with us. While we would wish for many more healthy years for our colleague and friend Brendan, this wasn’t to be, but we are all so grateful to his donor and donor’s family for the time he did receive. It was time truly well spent and allowed Brendan to continue to impact the lives of so many and to leave an indelible mark on our organisation.
We will miss him dearly but will endeavour to continue to work hard to make LISN as successful a charity organisation as Brendan envisaged.
Rest in peace, Brendan
Click here to view memories of our dear friend Brendan
Hawthorn
By Brendan McAtamney
To the right I see Kingston, resting gently
In the Bay with its stout proud houses
Standing up
And Yearning of a time gone past
To the left I see the ferry, set placed for
the next launch, steadying our Children’s hand
As they bid us another adieu
To the center I see my own reflection on this 5th Floor window,
Neither here by choice nor desire but of necessity,
Steely in Intent like our children before
Grace is holding my hand now,
Helping me navigate another battle,
So that in time my Dear,
Together, we will walk that Sandymount Strand
And that distant Kingston Pier
Obituary
Brendan McAtamney passed away on the morning of Saturday, 21st December 2024. He is survived by his mother, Kathleen, his wife Caroline, children Eoin, Aisling, Éanna and Aoife, grandchildren Cora and Leo, brothers Martin and Kieran, sister Anne, extended family and a vast circle of friends and colleagues. Our most sincere condolences are extended to them on their sad loss.
The announcement of Brendan’s passing was not entirely unexpected but was no less sorrowful for his LISN colleagues. Many tears were shed, many hugs and kind words were exchanged, and many stories and narratives of his career, travels and antics on the golf course, at his tennis club and with his soccer team were shared.
Most of us at LISN first encountered Brendan at the St. Vincent’s University Hospital Liver Transplant Programme 30th anniversary in October 2023 at which he spoke of his experiences as a relatively new liver transplant recipient (he was nine months post-transplant). He spoke eloquently of his time in hospital, the great care he received and the close friendships he made, but his generosity to his donor and donor’s family was the overwhelming sentiment of his address. It also struck me how positive and energetic he was, and how ‘alive’ he seemed on that day!
With time, the development of the Liver Patient Support Group, now Liver Ireland Support Network or LISN was guided, firstly by Clive Curley as Chair and then by Brendan, and we aimed high and pushed ourselves to achieve more and more. Brendan was tireless in this and got the best from us all in order to make LISN as successful a voluntary organisation as possible. He believed in LISN and the necessity for a patient-led support organisation for liver patients and families, and this passion and enthusiasm were infectious. He believed in supporting others, in fairness, in generosity and in offering liver patients and their families as much as possible in terms of experiential information, practical supports, psychological supports, patient advocacy and education, and not least, the promotion of organ donation among the public at large.
Friends, neighbours and work colleagues spoke of his dedication, passion and devotion to his work, his strong leadership skills and his enthusiasm and encouragement as a leader. He made time for everyone and was known for his kindness, generosity and positivity to those who met him, worked with him and who spent time with him. His approach to LISN and towards the committee members was similar. While quite direct – perhaps with a CEO-type approach at times - and very efficient – meetings were always brief but fruitful - he was also genuine, thoughtful, light-hearted and great fun.
At fortnightly Zoom meetings, which were efficiently chaired - rarely lasting more than one hour - he shared ideas, delegated tasks and expected the best from the committee. During his treatment, he continued to approve documents, make new suggestions and organise fundraising events.
In October, LISN hosted a very successful Joint Educational Event in conjunction with the Irish Liver Foundation (ILF), which was almost single-handedly organised by Brendan. Attended by a large number of liver patients and their families, in addition to representatives from the IKA, St. Vincent’s University Hospital and the RVH Liver Support Group, this was one of the highlights of 2024 and secured future collaborations with the ILF.
Over time, Brendan became more fatigued and had less and less energy but still fought hard, remaining as Chair and living life to the best of his abilities as he faced his ongoing health battles. Most of us received emails or messages regarding our roles just days before he passed away – he was still planning to host our next meeting.
Brendan McAtamney received his life-saving liver transplant on 2nd January 2023. This gift gave him almost two more years of life, two more years to share with his family and friends and two more years to help launch and develop LISN with us. While we would wish for many more healthy years for our colleague and friend Brendan, this wasn’t to be, but we are all so grateful to his donor and donor’s family for the time he did receive. It was time truly well spent and allowed Brendan to continue to impact the lives of so many and to leave an indelible mark on our organisation.
We will miss him dearly but will endeavour to continue to work hard to make LISN as successful a charity organisation as Brendan envisaged.
Rest in peace, Brendan
Click here to view memories of our dear friend Brendan
Hawthorn
By Brendan McAtamney
To the right I see Kingston, resting gently
In the Bay with its stout proud houses
Standing up
And Yearning of a time gone past
To the left I see the ferry, set placed for
the next launch, steadying our Children’s hand
As they bid us another adieu
To the center I see my own reflection on this 5th Floor window,
Neither here by choice nor desire but of necessity,
Steely in Intent like our children before
Grace is holding my hand now,
Helping me navigate another battle,
So that in time my Dear,
Together, we will walk that Sandymount Strand
And that distant Kingston Pier
Other articles of interest
Remembering Our Dear Friend & Chairman, Brendan McAtamney
LISN Journal No.3: Challenging Stigma and Celebrating Progress
LISN Journal No.2: Celebrating Milestones, Transplant Successes, and the Power of One Decision
Welcome to the First LISN Journal!
