Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Carroll’s West Cork funeral details announced

Funeral arrangements have been announced following the death of former Cork county mayor, Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Carroll.

Mr Carroll, who served as county mayor from 2024 to 2025, died on Friday following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Originally from Dunmanway, Mr Carroll later became a beloved member of the Skibbereen community.

A special Cork County Council meeting will take place this morning at 9.30am in honour of Mr Carroll at Skibbereen Town Hall ahead of the funeral mass at 12pm in St Patrick’s Cathedral.

A funeral cortege will leave after mass, to St Patrick’s Cemetery in the town.

Speaking to The Echo, Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan said that Mr Carroll was an “incredible” person who brought “joy to every occasion”.

“He was an amazing singer and musician, and he was particularly loved by American delegations who came over from Massachusetts and Chicago – Joe was always the life and soul of the party,” said the West Cork TD.

“He is a giant loss to Skibbereen and West Cork as a whole.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Mr Carroll was “an institution in Cork politics”, and was “gregarious and very hardworking” and cared deeply and passionately about his community and the people he represented.

“He advocated tirelessly for them and worked to improve the lives of the communities and people he represented,” he added.

Current county mayor councillor Mary Linehan Foley said that there was a feeling of “profound sorrow” at the loss of her colleague.

“Not only was he held in the highest regard by his fellow councillors, but the respect he earned from his constituents was clearly reflected at the polls.”

Mr Carroll is survived by his wife, Sheila, his children Linda and Kieran, and granddaughter, Anna.