Dad-of-two Andrew Tarrant died suddenly in St Vincent’s Hospital earlier this week
Heartbroken family, friends and neighbours gathered at The Church of Sts. Mary & Peter in Arklow on Friday morning to celebrate the rich life of Andrew Tarrant, a third-generation solicitor who followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Cyril and father David at Tarrant and Tarrant Solicitors, carrying on a family legal career dating back to 1894 in Sligo.
Late Wicklow solicitor Andrew Tarrant.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – September 26th
In attendance at Andrew’s funeral were his beloved wife Sinéad (née O’Shea), the apples of his eye, children Max and Emily, father David and sisters Niamh and Aileen, the latter of whom began the mass with a touching tribute to her brother, with their late mother Paula (née Speakman) mentioned lovingly throughout.
“My uncle Peter talks about ‘grey men’ — men that you meet who are grand, but they don’t leave a mark on the world. Andrew was not a grey man. He was a neon light,” Aileen said.
“Although he has left us far too soon, he leaves so many memories with us all, many of them indelible.
“I’m sure everyone here felt the same when hearing the shocking news of Andrew’s passing – a mix of disbelief and deep sadness. But, as it begins to sink in, the conversations with friends and family quickly turn to: ‘Do you remember when…?’
“He created so many stories and unforgettable memories in our lives.”
Born to David and Paula on August 8, 1976, Andrew completed his primary schooling at Oatlands College, where he developed a taste for drama, music, acting and performance.
“Andrew starred in a play called The Wishing Well in the Feis Ceoil, which they won, beating the well-known actor Hugh O’Connor, who later played a young Christy Brown in the Jim Sheridan Oscar-winning movie My Left Foot,” Aileen explained.
“Beating Hugh was an accomplishment Andrew was very proud of.”
After finishing his Leaving Cert at Glenstal Abbey in Limerick, Andrew studied law in Galway before starting his apprenticeship at MJ O’Connor’s in Wexford under the wing of his uncle Peter.
Completing his Blackhall exams and qualifying as a solicitor in 2004, Andrew returned to Wicklow to start his partnership with his father David at Tarrant and Tarrant Solicitors in Arklow.
Whilst back in Wicklow, he met the love of his life, Sinead, and they moved to his mother’s family home in Avoca before setting up their own forever home in Pollahoney, Arklow, welcoming Max in 2014, and Emily the following year.
“Every time I managed to get hold of Andrew on the phone, he would always tell me what Max and Emily were up to,” Aileen said.
“Max’s taekwondo achievements and Emily’s singing and drama accomplishments – he was ever so proud of them both.”
Telling mourners how Andrew had the biggest heart and was “a gem”, Aileen said he was ever so generous with his time and advice.
“He loved to sing very loudly and always entertained,” she said.
“Fun, divilment, craic. As Rhona Quigg put it so well, ‘Andrew travelled through this life with compassion, kindness, authenticity and great wit’.
“I do not doubt that Andrew is now drinking gin and tonics with Mum and playing Take Her Up To Monto on the air piano with a round of sambucas on route.
“Andrew, we are heartbroken. We love you very much, and you will be terribly missed.”
Adding to the tribute, neighbour and dear friend Stephen told mourners how Andrew brought people together and touched many lives, as evidenced by the number of people in attendance.
“Andrew always thought of other people; this was typical of the family, selfless, a trait Andrew had in abundance,” he said.
“One of my first experiences with Andrew was when, on the way home from Dun Laoghaire Dart Station, Andrew had to make an important stop at The Graduate.
“We joined a group of his friends and had a great evening. When we got home, David asked Andrew why we were so late, and he said he brought me for a pint. To which David replied: ‘He’s only 14!’
“From then on, we became the closest of friends. We often felt more like brothers than friends.”
Recalling how growing up beside the Tarrants and going to “the big house”, you wouldn’t know who you’d meet, “comedic legends or high court judges”, Stephen said you were always welcomed with open arms.
“Paula would always fuss over you, making sure you had enough food and drink while quizzing you on the latest happenings,” he said.
“Andrew was always the protective brother to Niamh and Aileen. The bond they shared was unique, helping each other through the hardest times, with a laugh, a story, and a shoulder to cry on. With the untimely passing of Paula, it was evident how strong that bond was.
“They all shared similar traits. Empathy, compassion and kindness, even in the darkest moments.
“Andrew was there for me through every major life event. He was my best man when I married Emma and was there for christenings and birthdays. He was my confidante – my advisor.
“He was a loyal friend and kind to a fault. Someone I could ring if I needed advice or just to talk. He probably wouldn’t answer the phone, but I could always ring him!”
Explaining how Andrew was always at the centre of any adventure, Stephen said he knew it would take a special person to catch Andrew’s eye.
“From the moment they met, Andrew and Sinead adored each other,” he continued.
“I was honoured when Andrew asked me to be his groomsman. To witness the two of them together was a beautiful moment. They were more than husband and wife – they were best friends.
“His work ethic was unwavering, and you don’t have to look hard to see where he got it from. David and Paula instilled that in him, and he proudly carried on the tradition of his father and grandfather, Cyril.
“Max and Emily were his whole world. You could see his eyes light up when he spoke about them. They were his sun, moon and stars. His last thought at night and first in the morning.
“Andrew was an amazing dad. He had a way with kids, mostly because he was a big child himself!
“Talking to Max and Emily over the past few days, it’s easy to see what a good job Andrew and Sinead have done raising them. The strength and maturity they have shown at such a young age, making sure Sinead is okay and looking out for others, is an inspiration.
“As Emily so beautifully put it: ‘Daddy is gone to be with his mummy now’.
Concluding his tribute, Stephen said: “Andrew was a massive character who will be dearly missed by so many people. He was the focal point in any room, with a big booming laugh that you couldn’t help but laugh along to.
“A cousin of Andrew’s sent a message of condolence the other evening, which read: ‘Some people light up a room when they enter – Andrew was the flashing neon sign.”
A private cremation service for Andrew will take place on Saturday at 1.45pm in Mount Jerome Crematorium in Harold’s Cross, Dublin.