The staff in the Institute of Irish Studies are saddened to learn of the passing of Kevin Bean aged 69 years and would like to extend their deepest condolences to Kevin’s partner Pauline, sister Patsy, his children Kathleen, Bernadette, Teresa and James-Joseph from his marriage to Susan, and his five grandchildren.
Professor Frank Shovlin reflects on his memories of Kevin Bean:
“I met Kevin within weeks of beginning work at the Institute of Irish Studies in September 2000. He had recently completed a master’s in Irish Studies and had embarked on a doctorate under the supervision of Harvey Cox, research that eventually became his much-admired book on the changing shape of Sinn Féin. After Harvey’s retirement Kevin was hired to replace him and became my colleague in 2003. Kevin’s office was a notorious mess, piled high with newspapers and political pamphlets, and this reflected an extremely curious and lively mind. We had many memorable chats over the years and Kevin had a near photographic memory for aspects of Irish political debate since the second world war. When I was writing a book on James Joyce, he pointed out a slightly mad but nonetheless intriguing debate in the pages of An Phoblacht about Joyce’s ‘nationalist’ bona fides!
Kevin was a great man for the pub, a lover of good ale and darkened back rooms. And he was a terrific storyteller and a proud son of Irish immigrants of varying Dublin and Laois backgrounds. Whenever I think of him it will be in one of those bars where we would quietly chat and chuckle over the years, whether it be Glynn’s of Athenry, Wards of Salthill or, nearer to home, Liverpool pubs like the Belvedere and Peter Kavanagh’s. In the truest senses, Kevin was a gentleman and a scholar, and I will always remember him fondly.”
A Requiem Mass will be held on Thursday, 14 November at 10am at St Anthony of Padua Church, Queens Drive, Liverpool 18, followed by committal at Springwood Crematorium. Family flowers only by request, however, donations in memory of Kevin are welcomed for Marie Curie Hospice in Woolton Village (https://memoryfund.mariecurie.org.uk/In-Memory/Kevin-Bean?success=fund) or Medical Aid for Palestinians (https://www.justgiving.com/page/pauline-hadaway-1730135114044).