Tributes have been paid to Newry’s adopted son and passionate local historian and businessman, Michael McKeown.
Perhaps best known as the founder of Matt D’Arcy Whiskey Distillery, Michael was an inspirational innovator who freely shared his pearls of wisdom in business to the betterment of all those he encountered.
The news of his sad passing broke earlier today.
While Newry became his adopted home in later life, Michael was a self-proclaimed ‘North Armagh man’, having been born and bred in the Lurgan area.
He came from a large family of 11. His parents – Kitty and Terry – no doubt passed a little of their passion onto a young and impressionable Michael, having ran their own former drinks supply and off-licence business, Reihill-McKeown.
He once told Armagh I that he had “literally grew up among bottles and barrels”.
It was an early glimpse of the world that would eventually lead him back to the drinks trade, but Michael’s route there was anything but straightforward.
He went to St Patrick’s Grammar School in Armagh and initially intended to forge his own path away from the family business. Photography caught his imagination instead.
During his school years he tried his hand at photography, made videos for the PE department and even attempted, unsuccessfully, to become a BBC cameraman.
His school results suffered as a consequence, but Michael was always far more interested in doing than talking.
“Everybody can talk about doing something but not everyone does,” he said. It’s almost a take on the rather disparaging adage, “Those who can do, those who can’t teach”.
Ironically, Michael did train as a teacher and spent several years in the classroom. He left teaching in 1971 to help with the family business.
Beyond his stint in education, he launched an insurance business and even launched a computing company years before the internet became a part of everyday life.
It was an extraordinary gamble.
The business eventually accumulated losses of £1.73 million, a figure which Michael himself acknowledged should have left him “dead and buried”.
But defeat was never quite the end of the story for Michael. He found another way forward.
In the background, the UK Government were changing the world of the insurance industry with legislation regarding best advice, which became law in 1987.
But Michael had already been practicing a best advice model since he launched the company. It led to him being courted by big insurance companies and British Telecom.
Then came CRASH, his accident management business, which he later sold to his son, Jonathan.
More than just a business brain, Michael always had an interest in the past. A meeting with Newry Chamber of Commerce planted the seeds for possible regeneration, tourism and export right in that very city.
Thus, Matt D’Arcy Whiskey was born.
He was determined that the new distillery should stand on the site of the original distillery — and, true to form, spent 18 months finding exactly where that was.
It was the perfect final chapter to a career built on taking chances and turning ideas into reality.
Michael was a difficult man to keep down. He was tenacious, courageous and inquisitive. He believed in the concept of ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ and encouraged others to have belief in themselves.
Michael went on to become President of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade from 2015 to 2017 and as a local historian, published his collective research, ‘Book of Newry’.
Together, he and his sons, Jonathan and Tony were also constant supporters of local charities.
Paying tribute to a passionate advocate, Road Safe NI said: “The officers and members of Road Safe NI Charity are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Michael McKeown.
“Michael, along with his sons Jonathan and Tony, have supported our charity for over 13 years. During that time, they have become much more than supporters of Road Safe NI — they have become close and valued friends to us all.
“Michael was a wonderful gentleman, and his kindness, friendship and support will always be remembered and greatly appreciated by everyone connected with our charity.
“At this very sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with Jonathan, Tony and the entire McKeown family, along with Michael’s wider circle of family and friends.”
MP Daire Hughes shared his own sympathies, commenting: “I am greatly saddened to hear of the passing of Michael McKeown.
“My sincerest condolences to Carmel, Tony, Jonathan, the wider McKeown clan, Michael’s friends and colleagues.
“Michael was a passionate historian, committed local employer and former President of the Newry Chamber of Commerce.
“The ongoing success of Crash Services and Michael’s other ventures stand as testaments to him.
“His local historical research and writing was as insightful as it was fascinating, and of immense value to the cultural fabric of this area.
“Michael was always a pleasure to meet, full of character and informed discussion. He will be sorely missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Conor Patterson, current President of Newry Chamber said: “Michael brought great energy and ideas to the role during his time as President and had a deep passion for Newry and its people. He was a great historian and was able to trace the history of the Newry Chamber to 1820, over seven decades from the date it originally thought the organisation was founded.”
“Born and raised in Lurgan, Michael was an adopted son of Newry, and he loved the city and its people. He founded CRASH Services and was a highly successful entrepreneur, always striving to attract more business and investment to Newry. He was a force of nature and will be greatly missed.”
Jerome Mullen, a Past President of the Chamber and close friend of Michael, paid tribute to him, saying: “Michael was such a kind and generous person and so full of life. He will be very sadly missed by his beloved wife and his family and by his legion of friends far and wide and especially here in Newry.”
Michael Savage, CEO of Newry Chamber added: “Michael played a key role in the restructuring of the Chamber and significantly widening its membership, laying the foundations that has led to the success Newry Chamber is today.”
“He was a great entrepreneur and a kind and warm person who was generous with his time and deeply committed to making Newry an economic success.”
“On behalf of everyone at the Chamber, I extend our deepest sympathies to Michael’s wife Carmel, sons Jonathan and Tony, our former Chamber CEO and the McKeown family at this time. May he Rest in Peace.”
His funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
