Róisín Grimley was the kindest and most loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, who became known and admired by a wider circle through her wholehearted involvement in the work and development of the Dublin International Piano Competition over many years.
Róisín was born in Dublin, October 29th, 1939. She was the first-born child of Marguerite and Tadhg Mac Firbhisigh, followed by Iain, Eoin, Cyril, Donal and Conall. When her father Tadhg died in his sleep before Róisín turned 15, she helped Marguerite raise the little ones. She was educated at Coláiste na Rinne, Waterford and Miss Meredith’s, in Dublin. After a long stay in France, Róisín began a career in the Aer Lingus Bureau in Dublin.
When Seán Grimley went to his first barbecue he met Róisín Nic Fhirbhisigh at Bohernabreena, asking her if she was the daughter of the late Tadhg Mac Firbhisigh, gaelgeoir agus amhránaí, a Celtic scholar and singer, who had been spoken of at Seán’s home in Drumcondra.
That fortuitous meeting was to lead eventually to their marriage in 1962 and their move to London, which Róisín adored. Three years later, they moved back to Dublin and opened a dental practice in Dundrum. Róisín ran a lively household with her four children and lots of foreign students while Seán developed the dental practice. There were many parties, and Róisín kept a red book with her menus and guest lists written up with pen and green ink. She was warm and engaging with friends and family and always very inclusive in her hospitality. Her mother Marguerite sold up and moved house twice to live close to her daughter.
“Róisín was the embodiment of love. The kindest person that ever walked the planet,” wrote one friend after her death, while another said, “Róisín never passed comment on others.” Her motto was “forgive and forget”. She loved to attend Mass and to quote the best line of a sermon.
She had a natural ability to make connections and friendships with people and found these skills valued in her work with the Dublin International Piano Competition (DIPC). From 1987 Róisín was on the DIPC Executive Committee. In 1992 she obtained a Diploma in Arts Administration at UCD, and from then on she worked in the DIPC offices. As special projects coordinator she was responsible for sell-out concerts in the NCH and other venues. As Adrienne Carolan of the DIPC put it: “Róisin’s strength, determination and resilience meant that nothing ever stood in her way when it came to the DIPC. She had a special warmth and a unique ability to charm everyone who crossed her path, her glorious smile was captivating. She was as selfless as she was determined, leaving an indelible mark on all who met her during her many years of involvement with the DIPC.”
She helped galvanise the extraordinary Dublin hospitality in homes that hosted the competitors so they could stay and practise their music. Her work supporting the career launch of the First Prize winners in their debut recital series took her to major cities around the world.
Róisín also had a rich inner life, savouring art, music and literature. She loved to read in the sunshine and listen to insightful broadcasts before dawn. She was always an enthusiastic walker. She put great colour into her living space, her choices of clothes and jewellery. One of her musical friends said that Róisín had a voice as sweet as honey.
During her final illness in St Vincent’s Hospital, her granddaughters replayed for her a raucous megaphone rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung to her by all the waiters in a restaurant in Trastevere, Rome on her previous birthday. And Róisín replied: “Those memories keep an old girl alive!”
Róisín died at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, October 30th, 2023. She is survived by her husband Seán Grimley and their children Tadhg, Aisling, Conor and Clodagh and 12 grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her brothers Iain (Deacon of Portsmouth Diocese) and Eoin (Brother Ciarán OSB, Glenstal Abbey).
