By Ciara O’Loughlin
A friend of DCU鈥檚 beloved bartender Allan Stevenson, who died unexpectedly, said he was 鈥渁 good man鈥 who would look after anyone in need.
The 55-year-old, who was well-known to all students as a friendly face in the university鈥檚 NuBar, died in his sleep on June 5. Born in South Africa, Allan moved to Ireland in 2001 and gained Irish citizenship in 2011.
Shortly after, he received a first class honours degree in Education and Training in DCU and pursued a research masters. He was involved in every aspect of student life, becoming a Post Graduate Officer and sitting on the student鈥檚 union executive.
In 2018, an article in the university鈥檚 student newspaper called him 鈥楧CU鈥檚 favourite bartender鈥. Beyond DCU, he was well known in the motorbiking community, and he worked at concerts and festivals across the country.
Paying tribute to his dear friend, S茅an Cassidy said: 鈥淚t felt like Allan was everywhere in DCU and he was well liked by nearly all who met him. During his time in college and afterwards he worked in NuBar as one of its most recognisable bartenders.
鈥淗e was such a good man and would look after anyone in need – and there’s countless stories of that from his friends and students in DCU. He was devoted to his family, particularly his mam Penny, who sadly passed away in 2021.
鈥淓arlier this year he flew back home to attend his sister Lejans’ wedding and the joy in his voice when he talked about it was incredible. The love he had for her just jumps out of the pictures they have together from the wedding.
鈥淗e was a good man, a rock of a friend and it’s devastating to lose him.鈥 His friends have set up an online fundraiser on GoFundMe to help Allan鈥檚 family with their travel expenses to Ireland, as well as a memorial service.
A notice on RIP.ie reads: 鈥淎 memorial service for Allan will be held in the Interfaith Centre in DCU, Glasnevin at 2pm Wednesday the 9th of July. The cremation has already taken place.鈥
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