Tom ‘TP’ Whelehan: Wine expert, writer and bon viveur

Obituary: Critic’s wine columns were at times philosophical and poetic

Tom Whelehan, or 'TP' as he was universally known, was a larger-than-life character; a bon viveur, entertainer and extrovert with a great love of life.

Born in Mullingar, where his father ran a pharmacy, he attended Blackrock College, followed by UCD, where he studied pharmacy. Graduating in 1958, he returned to Mullingar, where he joined his father, Kevin Whelehan. The family business, founded by the first TP Whelehan in the 1890s, expanded to become a leading distributor of pharmaceuticals in the country. The business was sold in the 1990s .

Wine was TP’s playground, but one he took very seriously. He had an encyclopedic knowledge and an excellent palate. He was always eager to share his wonderful wine cellar with younger aspiring wine journalists, members of the trade and wine lovers.

He was wine correspondent for The Irish Times from 1960 to 1987. His columns were at times philosophical, occasionally poetic. His enthusiasm for even the most modest of wines inspired a generation of new wine lovers. He was a founder member and enthusiastic contributor to the Irish Wine Buyers' Guide, Ireland's first wine magazine.

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TP had a huge interest in gardening, a passion he shared with his wife Anne in their marvellous garden in Blackrock. He was an international judge of roses. He had a pilot’s licence and flew solo in 1977 to the utter terror of his wife.

Daily swimmer

He was made a justice of the peace in 1964. As well as serving as chairman of TP Whelehan, he was a director of D Williams and Irish Vintners, as well as acting as wine consultant to Quinnsworth for a decade. For many years, he swam 40 lengths of the Aer Lingus pool every morning, and each evening he went for a run.

He is survived by his wife Anne, “my anchor, my rock” as he described her, his three children Rebecca, Kevin and David, (the sons, having inherited his love of wine, both work in the wine business, Kevin in Japan, and David in his retail shop in Loughlinstown) and by his brothers Richard and Harry (“Tom, Dick and Harry” as TP always said) as well as his sisters Helen and Hilda.

TP was colourful and ebullient, never missing an opportunity to give an oration. A generation of the wine trade will fondly remember his opening salvo thus: "I rise by levitation, and if I had my joyful trumpet I would play, a la Satchmo, When the Saints Go Marching In. TP is, as TP was, and TP still shall be."