Tributes paid to the late Cork entrepreneur Frank Boland

THE Lord Mayor, of Cork  Cllr Kieran McCarthy, has described entrepreneur Frank Boland as a formidable advocate for Ireland and Cork following the announcement that the business leader had passed away on Monday.

A former president of Cork Chamber in 1992 and 1993, Mr Boland’s began his career developing a commercial vehicle distribution business which was incorporated in 1967 and the company, based on the Old Mallow Road, became Ireland’s first truck and van rental firm.

In his lengthy career, Mr Boland served as a director of many companies, including the British and Irish Steam Packet Company, in a non-executive role at Aer Lingus, and as a shareholder and board member of Swansea-Cork Ferries and was a member of the Cork Harbour Commissioners since 1974 and served twice as its chairman before becoming the first chairman of the Port of Cork Company in 2002.

In 2018, the late Mr Boland was honoured with Cork Chamber’s Outstanding Contribution to Business Award at the body’s annual Dublin dinner.

According to Cork Chamber chief executive, Conor Healy, Frank Boland was a ‘figure whose influence in both the business realm and civic leadership’ had left an ‘indelible mark’ on Cork.

“Frank's extensive and meaningful contributions, spanning from the success of his own business ventures to his dedicated service as President and longstanding member of Cork Chamber, have shaped the business landscape and social fabric of Cork,” said Mr. Healy.

“The void left by Frank's absence will be keenly felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

“Our deepest condolences go out to Mary, and Frank's children John, Mary, Frankie and Kevin, and the entire extended family, as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual who touched the lives of many.” He was synonymous with the year long festival to mark the 800th anniversary of Cork being granted a city charter in 1985 and he also played a key role in bringing the Cutty Sarks Tall Ships Race to the city in 1992.

Cork’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, described Frank Boland’s contribution as both a businessman a President and member of Cork Chamber to the city as ‘wide ranging and significant’.

“From building a successful business of his own to his active engagement on the boards of key semi-state companies, Frank has had a defining influence on the business and social life in his native city and acted as a formidable advocate for Ireland and for Cork."

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin said that Frank Boland had made an outstanding contribution to the civic and business life of Cork.

"During Cork’s dark days in the 1980s, he provided significant leadership with others to reconfigure and transform the business and industrial fabric of the city.

"From the time I became the Lord Mayor, I had many interactions with Frank about the future of the city. He was part of a strong Cork tradition of business people and industrialists putting the well-being of the city and region first. In that context, he worked with local and national civil organisations to advance both Cork and the country.

"I offer my deepest sympathy to his wife Mary, children - John, Mary, Frankie and Kevin - and the wider Boland family."

Frank Boland was appointed a Commissioner of Irish Lights in 1995 and during his period as chairman, which finished in 2008, new headquarters for the organisation were built in Dun Laoghaire.

In a statement, the organisation paid tribute to Mr Boland, for his ‘great foresight’ and described as a ‘calm and capable negotiator’.

“He brought his considerable skill and expertise to bear on the management and protection of Irish Lights significant lighthouse estate around the coast and made a huge contribution to maritime safety in Ireland, north and south.” 

Mr. Boland’s funeral will take place in Kinsale, where he had been living for a number of years after moving from Glounthane, on Thursday. He will be buried in St. Finbarr’s Cemetery following midday mass in St. John the Baptist Church in Kinsale.