Dearbhla McClean

All of the City Architects team were deeply saddened at the untimely passing of our colleague and friend, architect Dearbhla McClean, just before Christmas after a short illness. Dearbhla was a compassionate and talented designer and a wonderfully positive presence in City Architects.  She worked on the Council’s libraries and other cultural buildings and was the architect for the exemplary works to Kevin Street Library, which has become a favourite landmark for the surrounding communities. As well as a skilled architect and mother of three, Dearbhla was a highly skilled craftsperson who always amazed and delighted with her ingenious textiles designs.

Staff from City Architects came together recently in Kevin St Library to remember Dearbhla at an event which was also attended by the City Librarian with whom she had worked so closely and staff from other DCC sections. The gathering was an opportunity to remember Dearbhla and talk about how we all valued her as a colleague, a friend, a skilled crafter and someone who brought so much liveliness and good humour to every occasion. The shock of her loss was felt deeply among us all, and she is sadly missed.

Dearbhla was architect for the works to refurbish Kevin Street Library which re-opened in 2018. Photo: Ros Kavanagh/Ba í Dearbhla an t-ailtire a bhí i mbun na n-oibreacha athchóirithe i Leabharlann Shráid Chaoimhín a athosclaíodh sa bhliain 2018. Grianghraf: Ros Kavanagh

Bhí fíorbhrón ar an bhfoireann in Ailtirí na Cathrach faoi bhás anabaí comhghleacaí agus cara linn, an t-ailtire Dearbhla McClean, a fuair bás díreach roimh Nollaig tar éis breoiteacht ghearr. Bhí Dearbhla ina dearthóir comhbhách agus cumasach, agus ba dhuine í a bhí iontach dearfach. D’oibrigh sí ar leabharlanna na Comhairle agus ar fhoirgnimh chultúrtha eile agus bhí sí ina hailtire do na hoibreacha eiseamláireacha a rinneadh ar Leabharlann Shráid Chaoimhín atá anois ina sainchomhartha a bhfuil gean ag muintir na háite uirthi. Bhí triúr clainne ag Dearbhla. Bhí sí ina hailtire ábalta agus ina ceardaí sároilte, agus chuir sí iontas agus áthas ar chách tríd na dearaí cliste teicstíle a d’úsáid sí.

Tháinig baill foirne ó Ailtirí na Cathrach le chéile le déanaí i Leabharlann Shráid Chaoimhín chun cuimhne cheanúil a dhéanamh ar Dearbhla. I láthair ag an ócáid freisin bhí an Leabharlannaí Cathrach, duine ar oibrigh Dearbhla go dlúth léi, chomh maith le baill foirne ó rannóga eile i gComhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath. Bhí an deis ag gach duine cuimhneamh ar Dearbhla agus labhairt faoi cé chomh luachmhar is a bhí sí mar chomhghleacaí, mar chara, mar cheardaí oilte agus mar dhuine bríomhar a mbíodh meangadh gáire i gcónaí uirthi. Bhain a bás geit uafásach asainn agus aireoimid uainn go mór í.