'Devoted to public service': Tributes after former West Cork senator Michael Calnan passes away

Labour party leader Ivanna Bacik has paid tribute to former West Cork Senator, Michael Calnan.

Mr Calnan passed away on Tuesday after “a long illness bravely borne”, in the care of Marymount Hospice Cork.

The former Senator, councillor and vice-principal of Maria Immaculata Secondary School Dunmanway, is survived by his children Julie and Michael, son in law Roy, grandchildren Chiara, Thomas, Annie and Shaun and great-grandchildren Theodore and Nyomi.

There will be a removal in O'Neill's Funeral Home Dunmanway on Thursday evening from 6.30pm to 8pm with prayers at 8pm, and a funeral Mass on Friday Morning at 11am in St. Patrick's Church, Dunmanway, followed by Private Cremation in Ringaskiddy.

Labour Party Leader Ivana Bacik TD expressed her sympathy to the family, friends and constituents of Mr Calnan, saying: “Michael Calnan served in the long tradition of Labour representatives from West Cork and Dunmanway and I know he will be greatly missed by all who knew, and served with him. A life-long party member, he was a central figure in the local Labour organisation.

“A long serving councillor, first elected in the Skibbereen electoral area in 1974, Michael served as Cathaoirleach of Cork County Council on two occasions in 1988 and then 1992. He contested several general elections, flying the Labour flag, and was elected to the Seanad on the Agricultural panel in January 1993. In the Seanad and on Cork County Council, he was known for his meticulous attention to detail and standing orders when chairing meetings.

“As a secondary school vice principal and politician his entire career was one devoted to public service and the community of West Cork locally and nationally.” 

She added: “I want to express my sincere sympathy to the Calnan family and in particular his cousin the former Labour TD for Cork South-West Michael McCarthy who loses a friend and mentor. I know he was a staunch support to Michael and was centrally involved in the 2011 campaign, winning back a Labour Dáil seat last held by Michael Pat Murphy in 1981.”