Funeral details announced for Athlone academic who leaves 'a lasting legacy'

A funeral ceremony for family and close friends of Professor Ralph Kenna, a leading academic from Athlone who worked at Coventry University in England, will take place in his home town this Saturday (November 11).

Professor Kenna will be reposing at Flynn's Funeral Home, The Strand, Athlone, from 11am on Saturday, with the funeral ceremony taking place at 12 noon.

The service, which will be live streamed here, will be followed by burial in Coosan cemetery.

Professor Kenna's death on October 26, at the age of 59, was met with shock and deep sadness in his home town and much further afield.

Originally from St Brigid's Terrace, the married father of one was described this week as "a passionate and dedicated scientist" with a "magnetic" personality.

A statement posted on social media on behalf of his wife Claire, daughter Róisín, and family stated that his death occurred after a brief illness.

"Although he left this world far too soon, the life he lived was a testament to his unwavering passion and determination.

"His vibrancy and influence will leave an everlasting legacy in our hearts and memories," the family's statement said.

In a tribute issued to to the Westmeath Independent on Monday, Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Coventry University, said: "We were all greatly saddened to learn of the death of Ralph.

"He was a passionate and dedicated scientist, charming and challenging in equal measure, who will be deeply missed as both a colleague and a friend. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who knew him."

Professor Alban Potherat, Executive Director of the Research Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems at Coventry University, where Ralph was a professor of theoretical physics, added: "Ralph was a pioneer and an explorer in every way.

"As a theoretical physicist he will be remembered for boldly breaking frontiers within his own field and establishing bridges between physics and such seemingly remote fields as mythology, literature and the social sciences.

"Through his research, his unwavering sense of community and commitment to others, Ralph pioneered world-class research in applied mathematics at the university and attracted researchers from all over the world to form the foundation of what has become the Fluid and Complex Systems Research Centre.

"His magnetic personality reached out beyond physics – he fearlessly challenged the established order, stood up for cultural identities and for the women of the past and the present, in Ireland and elsewhere.

"Ralph leaves a lasting legacy, imbued in the research centre, the university and the numerous fields he contributed to during his rich and impactful career."

Professor Kenna is the son of Irene Kenna and her late husband, Pat. His parents owned the Arden Bar in The Bawn, Athlone, for about 40 years, prior to Pat's retirement in 2000.

His academic career included the completion of a doctorate in Austria, at the Karl Franzens Universität in Graz, and the holding of postdoctoral positions at the University of Liverpool and Trinity College Dublin.

He lectured at Trinity from 1998 until 2002, when he moved to Coventry University. There he was awarded a Readership in 2006 and became Professor of Theoretical Physics in August 2012.

He was the author of numerous publications, including a book in 2017 which examined ancient stories through the prism of science.

More recently, he was a vocal opponent of the 'Mask of the Shannon' public art sculpture at Custume Place in Athlone, arguing that it did not represent Irish mythology or Athlone's heritage.

The local Celtic Eye Art Group was among those paying tribute to Professor Kenna, describing him as "a wonderful, kind and inspiring human being".

A resident of Rugby, England, he is sadly missed by his loving wife Claire, daughter Róisín, mother Irene, sister Rhona, brother Barry, dearest cousins Andrew and Claire, aunts and uncles, and nieces and nephews.

He will be fondly remembered by his relatives, neighbours, and many friends in Ireland, England, Austria, France, Ukraine, Armenia and beyond.

May he rest in peace.