Taoiseach leads tributes to former lord mayor of Cork Donal Counihan

The Taoiseach has led tributes to former lord mayor of Cork Donal Counihan, who has passed away at the age of 84.

Mr Counihan died in Marymount Hospice on Monday, surrounded by his family, following an illness.

He and his wife Breda were married 59 years this month, and he would have celebrated his 85th birthday on May 27.

A lifelong supporter of Fianna Fáil, Mr Counihan canvassed for Éamon de Valera as a young boy.

First elected to what was then Cork Corporation in 1979, he served as a councillor for the city’s south-east ward on several councils across the next three decades.

Mr Counihan served as lord mayor of Cork in 2007-2008, and during his term he conferred the Freedom of Cork on former taoiseach Albert Reynolds and former UK prime minister John Major in recognition of their roles in the peace process.

Although he lost his seat in 2009, Mr Counihan remained active in party politics, and in community and civic life, for many years after his time as an elected member of Cork City Council.

A lifelong member of Blackrock Hurling Club, he was a passionate supporter of Cork GAA.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was deeply saddened to learn of the death of “a tremendous community activist and cared deeply about his community and city”.

“Donal was passionate about Cork. He was a wonderful public representative and was in politics for all the right reasons, to improve the lives of the people and community he represented,” Mr Martin said.

“Donal was a great raconteur and was always very interested in people. He was a great listener and had many great stories, which he would readily share.

“A loyal member of Fianna Fáil since his teenage years, he would often regale us with stories of the many Árd Fheiseanna he attended down the decades.

“He worked with all the great Cork political giants including Jack Lynch, Pearse Wyse, Gene Fitzgerald and Seán French.

“Donal had a great sense of history, and particularly Cork history, and made a great contribution to Cork life and our deeper understanding of it through his involvement with the Cork University Press,” the Taoiseach said.

“Donal was a wonderful public representative, a warm and convivial man who left a significant mark on Cork and on Fianna Fáil.

“Moreover, Donal was a wise and valued friend. We will miss him greatly."

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy, said Mr Counihan had been committed to public service, to local government and to Cork city.

“Donal’s term as Lord Mayor was characterised by dignity and integrity - traits he displayed throughout his political and private life.

“He had a strong connection to many voluntary groups, to charities and local organisations, and he was a great supporter of the many social, cultural, and sporting initiatives across the city,” Mr Dennehy said.

“He will be remembered not only for how he held office, but for how he treated people. He was always open and approachable.

“His dedication to Cork and to its people will long be remembered, and his contribution to civic life remains an important part of the city’s story.

“I would like to extend my condolences to his family, his friends, and all who knew him.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.” 

Mr Counihan is survived by Breda, their children Niamh, Gillian and Kieran, grandchildren, Mark, Luke, Matthew, Grace and Ava, extended family and a wide circle of friends.

Mr Counihan will repose at O’Connor’s Temple Hill Funeral Home, Boreenmanna Rd on Thursday, April 30, from 4pm to 5pm.

Requiem Mass will be held at midday on Friday, May 1, in St Michael’s Church, Blackrock, with funeral afterwards to St. Finbarr’s Cemetery.

A book of condolences will be opened in Cork City Hall later this week.