Former Monaghan county councillor Willie "The Hill" McKenna, who has died aged 81 after a short illness, was the cement that bonded ties between his native Co Monaghan and the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI). His death was reported in the Guardian, the island's daily paper, under the headline "True Prince Edward Island Ambassador".
The link with PEI was the most important of McKenna's many achievements during 30 years on Monaghan County Council, including two terms as chairman.
Rooted in his native parish of Errigal Truagh, he knew of the tradition whereby 3,000 emigrants from his and neighbouring parishes had gone in groups to the maritime province before the Famine.
Contact died out, but in the 1980s, singer Tommy Makem played in PEI and met people anxious to trace their Monaghan roots. Soon afterwards, he was in Monaghan town and was sent to McKenna as the man who could deliver.
McKenna justified that confidence. Within months, a delegation to the province was organised which did indeed help many islanders establish their roots. He was later instrumental in the council’s twinning with three communities on PEI.
McKenna was born in the townland of Dernamuck near the Tyrone border, the eldest of four children to John McKenna, a farmer, and his wife Margaret (née McElmeel). On leaving national school he worked on the family farm, sold farm sheds, was a branch manager with a building society and finally an auctioneer and estate agent.
Born Fianna Fáiler
He was born into
Fianna Fáil
, his father having been a founder member. During his years on the council, he was one of its dominant figures. He was colourful, and enjoyed butting heads with opponents but also knew how to sit down with them and hammer out deals for the public good.
He was also a board member of Clans of Ireland and a great promoter of the McKenna clan.
Willie McKenna is survived by his widow, Nancy; sisters Eileen (Kerr) and Mary (O’Connell); and brother Sean.