'He was a gentleman': Tributes paid to former councillor Pat Burton following his death

A FORMER councillor and Cork business owner has been remembered as “a really good man who made a difference” following his passing.

Pat Burton, a former Fine Gael councillor and owner of The Model Farm Bar and Restaurant, was aged in his late 60s.

Mr Burton, who resided in Cloghroe, was first elected onto Cork County Council in 2009.

He announced his retirement from politics in 2013.

“He took his role as a councillor incredibly seriously,” Fine Gael councillor for the city’s North-West ward, Damian Boylan, told The Echo.

“If he was doing something for one person or doing something for 100 people, he put as much effort into both.” 

Mr Boylan said Fine Gael members in the area were in “total shock” following the news of Mr Burton’s passing.

“Everyone is saying the same thing about him, he was a gentleman,” Mr Boylan said.

“There aren’t enough nice words to say about the man.” 

Mr Boylan said Mr Burton had enjoyed a diverse career including as an auctioneer at Burton, Crowley & O’Flynn, which was acquired by Sherry FitzGerald in 2000.

“When he gave up politics he bought The Model Farm Bar and Restaurant [formerly McCarthy’s Bar and Bistro],” Mr Boylan said, describing the establishment as “one of the best places in Cork to go for a bite to eat”.

“Everything he did he put his heart and soul into,” he added.

Blarney-based community activist, Kate Durrant, echoed these sentiments, describing Mr Burton as “a really good man who made a difference”.

“He’s a big, big loss and gone far too soon,” Ms Durrant added.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, Colm Burke said he was saddened to hear of Mr Burton’s passing.

During his time as a local councillor, Mr Burke said Mr Burton “worked very hard” for the community he represented.

“He has made a huge contribution to the local community and to politics generally.

“He was always someone who’d listen to people’s concerns and take them on board.” 

Mr Burton is survived by his wife Eileen and son Peter.

Requiem Mass for Pat Burton will take place at 11.00am on Saturday in St Senan’s Church Cloghroe with funeral afterwards to St Senan’s Cemetery Tower.