Well-known Drogheda solicitor, Neil Matthews, who passed away recently, was born in 1940, to Mal and Sheila Matthews.
The family moved to Baltray in 1950 where Mal and Sheila built their house in Banktown. Their great friends Maurice and Monica Collins also bought a plot of land beside them, the first two houses to be built on this site.
Upon leaving Clongowes in 1958, Neil had great plans to further his studies in Law, however, in a twist of fate when his father took ill, Neil stepped up sooner than was planned and started his long career at Law.
Neil joined the family firm, Brannigan & Matthews, in the early sixties, further growing and developing the practice and building an expertise particularly in property, commercial law and litigation including personal injuries. Kevin Byrne subsequently joined Neil and John as a partner in the firm in 1983 specialising in the areas of commercial law, property, litigation and family law.
Neil Matthews for many years was considered by colleagues the most accomplished personal injuries litigation solicitor in North Leinster, involved in many landmark cases and rulings. Neil was also a very patient man, this was epitomised when he was asked by The Law Society to be a Tutor. He relished imparting knowledge and his own experiences, and he got a great kick out of helping his students understand the practical side of the Law. Part of that role was re-checking borderline exam papers and he always did his best to get everyone over the line.
Neil met his wife Marie Kenny in the early sixties, they met at the Drogheda rugby club through the friendship Neil had with Marie’s brother Leo Kenny. They got engaged and married in 1965 and they had a wonderful life together, coming up on 61 years married on September 25.
Neil and Marie’s eldest daughter Jane Matthews, who predeceased Neil, was born a year after they married and the family marked Jane’s 60th birthday last Sunday. The family take comfort that Neil was with Jane to celebrate this milestone.
As Neil and Marie’s family grew they moved to Tullyallen and lived at The Rectory, Townley Hall until 1977, as Neil’s practice got busier they moved closer to Drogheda and renovated The Blue School (St Peter’s Place) where they lived until 1997. Neil and Marie’s love for Baltray drew them back and they built their house back on the same plot of land that Mal and Sheila had bought in 1950 and lived there for the last 26 years, finally moving to The Links, Seapoint in 2024.
Neil and Marie have three other children, Ruth, Rachel and Neil. Ruth and Neil live in France and over the years especially since Neil retired in 2009 the family enjoyed spending time together on trips to visit Ruth and Neil’s families. The last trip was a lovely week together in May this year. Neil Junior lives in Valence, while Ruth and her husband Brendan Waldron live near Albi. Neil and Marie were at their happiest surrounded by their family.
Neil loved all sport, he played cricket and rugby in his early days, playing most weekends, but when Neil and Marie’s children came along, he cut back and tennis became his passion. Neil arranged a longstanding tennis game every Saturday mornings in The Blue School, and he enjoyed playing in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis club on Tuesday evenings.
Golf was a big of part of Neil and Marie’s life together at Co Louth Golf Club, they enjoyed playing together and had great fun with many friends down through the years.
In 1978 Neil was part of a team from County Louth Golf Club, that travelled to El Paraiso in Spain to play in a Pro-Am, Des Smyth, Neil Matthews, John O’Kane, Austin Gormley, Paddy McGuirk, Hugh McDermot and Brendan McDonnell (it was at the beginning of Des Smyth’s golf career) and Neil, Des, Austin and John won the competition and they all became great friends.
Neil was honoured to be Captain of Co Louth Golf Club in 2001 and later President in 2018. Neil’s youngest daughter Rachel Griffin now plays in County Louth Golf Club.
In recent years, with the arrival of Neil and Marie’s grandsons Jack, Lars and Thomas, Neil’s interests switched to his grandchildren, whom he adored. He took great joy in listening to their interests and aspirations, and was always ready with that helping hand and guidance.