Latest news with #BenDunneGyms
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tycoon Ben Dunne's son laid to rest after shock death in New York
Dunnes Stores tycoon Ben Dunne's son Robert was laid to rest after his shock death in New York with mourners told that his dad's passing 'hit him hard'. Rob Dunne was 50 when he died on August 1 and was today buried at Castleknock Churchyard after Mass at St Mochta's Church in Clonsilla, Co Dublin. Before the emotional service, his family, who buried dad Ben just two years ago, stated that Rob died 'peacefully'. His mother Mary was comforted by Rob's brothers Mark and Nicholas and sister Caroline. Mark told mourners: 'In more recent years, life became more difficult for Rob. The Covid pandemic with its long months of isolation and restrictions seemed to dim the spark that had always been such a natural part of Rob. Robert Dunne 'His world, once so full of people and music and laughter, became quieter. The passing of our dad, to whom he was so close, hit him deeply 'Many people loved Rob deeply and would've been there for him in a heartbeat, but he sometimes found himself pulling away. 'It's a reminder to all of us that even the brightest lights can be dimmed and how important it is to keep reaching out to those who we care about.' He added: 'When I think about Rob, so many words come to mind: raconteur, sharp, complex, quick-witted, funny, playful, loving and caring 'Rob had a way of making life bigger and better and more memorable. While today, we feel his absence deeply, I know that there's an image of Rob smiling for each of us. 'He will be missed by so many. He was so deeply loved as a brother, a son, an uncle, a nephew, a cousin, and a dear friend. 'He has left us far too soon and the ache of that will stay with us. Rest in peace Rob. The good in you will always be with us.' Robert was the second son of business titan Ben, the former head of Dunnes Stores and Ben Dunne Gyms. He was a lawyer in New York for over two decades and was lauded there by the Brehon Law Society where he was formerly its president. Robert's grandfather Ben Dunne Senior founded Dunnes in Cork in 1944 and his father Ben Dunne Junior took it over before he died, aged 74, in November 2023 from a heart attack while on holiday in Dubai. Rob's brother Mark delivered in his eulogy memories of his 'prankster' nature., recalling his 'spirit, his mischief, his humour and that sparkle in his eye'. Mark said: 'Rob loved to share a good book. He'd tell you all about some brilliant novel he just read; a real page turner. 'He'd say he couldn't put it down, and because he was generous like that he'd buy copies for his friends and people he knew would really enjoy the book. 'The catch was, if you were lucky enough to get one of these books from Rob, you were also unlucky enough to discover, right at the most dramatic moment, that he had ripped out the last page, and in its place, the big bold letters, 'ha ha'. 'It was maddening, of course, but that was Rob. He looked to make people laugh, often in the most unexpected ways. I can still hear his laugh and still see the way he found joy in connecting with people.' He added another memory, recalling how Rob was on holiday in America at a beach bar and asked the band if he could propose to a woman who he had just met. Mark said: 'Rob walked onto the stage with the girl, got down on one knee, pulled out a piece of paper. 'The audience imagined they were about to hear a heartfelt poem or a declaration of love. But, instead, Rob began reading the proclamation of Irish Independence.' A Month's Mind Mass is set for September 4 at the Upper Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in New York. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here
Irish Daily Mirror
07-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Son of Irish business legend Ben Dunne dies in US
The son of one of Ireland's most well known business leaders has died in the USA. The family of Robert 'Rob' Dunne, son of the late Ben Dunne, shared that he died peacefully last Friday. The second son of the Cork business titan Ben Dunne, the former head of Dunnes Stores and Ben Dunne Gyms. In his 50s, Robert died in New York, where he carved out a life as an attorney, far from his Castleknock roots in Dublin. Plans are afoot for his funeral to be held back in Ireland. His obituary paints a picture of a man dearly cherished: Robert is remembered as the "darling son of Mary and the late Ben, dearly loved brother of Mark, Caroline and Nicholas and beloved uncle of Ben, Katie, Pearl and Joseph." He leaves behind a bereft family and a wide circle of friends: "Sadly missed by his loving mother, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, relatives and a large circle of friends," reports Cork Beo. The Brehon Law Society of New York took to social media to honour their past president, saying: "It is with heavy hearts and deep respect and remembrance that we announce the passing of Robert 'Rob' Dunne, Brehon President Emeritus." They lauded Rob's steadfast commitment to justice and his influential role within the society and the broader Irish-American legal community, noting his indelible impact. A Month's Mind Mass is set for September 4 at the Upper Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in New York, offering a moment of reflection and remembrance. The Requiem Mass for Robert will be held at St. Mochta's Church, Porterstown, Clonsilla at 11am on Monday morning, followed by interment in Castleknock Churchyard. His family have requested privacy and suggested donations to Doctors without Borders instead of flowers. The late business tycoon, Ben Dunne. Robert was the grandson of Ben Dunne Senior, the founder of the renowned Irish department store brand established on Cork's Patrick Street in 1944. His passing occurs less than two years after his father, Ben, the former head of Dunnes, died in November 2023 from a heart attack while on holiday in Dubai. The 74 year-old had been a prominent figure in Irish business for nearly four decades. Ben Dunne, affectionately known as Ben Junior within his family, was born in 1949 in Cork. He spent his childhood at the family residence in Mahon before his father, Ben Senior, relocated them to Dublin. After finishing his Leaving Cert, Ben Jr chose to leave school and began working with his father in Dublin. Ben always took pride in his Cork heritage and would often share stories of his early life on Leeside with his family and close friends. Rob had been practising law in New York for over two decades, and since 2010, had been at the helm of his own Civil Litigation Firm. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
