ARCOIreland regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant Art Magennis DSM of Ardagh Court, Blackrock, County Dublin, late of Moore Park, Newbridge, County Kildare and Ardglass, County Down; on 12 February 2019, peacefully, in his 100th year at Maynooth Lodge Nursing Home. Beloved husband of the late Maura and father of Carmel, Mary, Barbara, Maeve and Fiona. Sadly missed by his loving family, brother Tim, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, relatives, friends and Defence Forces comrades.
May Art Rest in Peace
Art Magennis enlisted in the Defence Forces on 20 June 1940 and served as a Trooper with 2 Motor Squadron in Portobello Barracks, Rathmines. On completion of a potential officers’ course he was commissioned on 21 Feb 1942 as a Temporary Second Lieutenant and posted to 1 Armoured Squadron. He received a Permanent Commission in November 1946 and later served with Depot Cavalry, 4 Motor Squadron and the General Training Depot. He was Squadron Commander 5 Motor Squadron FCA in 1969-70 and Squadron Commander 1 Armoured Car Squadron from 1971 to 1974. Art retired as Staff Officer at the Directorate of Cavalry in September 1979.
He was awarded An Bonn Seirbhíse Dearscna le hOnóir (The Distinguished Service Medal with Honour) for service in Elizabethville with the Armoured Car Group 35 Battalion ONUC in 1961 by showing outstanding courage in going through hostile territory to negotiate for the lives of captured comrades whose execution had been threatened. He completed a second tour of duty in the Congo as Group Commander Armoured Car Group 2 Infantry Group in 1963-64 (this was the last unit to serve with ONUC).
He served twice in Cyprus with UNFICYP, first as Second-in-Command Armoured Car Group 8 Infantry Group in 1967 and as Group Commander Armoured Car Group 18 Infantry Group in 1970.
Reposing at his residence in Ardagh Court, Blackrock on Thursday from 2 pm with rosary at 7.30 pm. Funeral mass at 12 noon on Friday in Saint Conleth’s Parish Church, Newbridge with burial afterwards in St. Conleth’s Cemetery, Newbridge.
