Council pay tribute to late Longford Arts Officer
Longford County Council held a minute's silence at the April meeting of the local authority to honour the recently deceased Arts Officer Fergus Kennedy.
Members of the council expressed their shock and sadness at his sudden death. Fergus passed away suddenly on Friday, March 31.
The public servant was well known and well regarded across the county. Cllr Peggy Nolan (FG) led the tributes saying: “Our sincere condolences to his wife Sinead, his son Michael, his brother and sisters, extended family and large circle of friends.
“The contribution Fergus made to Longford in all forms of the arts is what his legacy will be. It's a huge body of work.
“I worked with Fergus on numerous occasions. He had a great love for Longford, even though it was not his home place. He was so knowledgeable of history and so proud of the wealth of talent we have in the fields of music and literature. He was a giant of a man, he wil be missed and i will miss him as a personal friend.”
Across the chamber, Cllr Seamus Butler (FF) added his condolences: “It is with great regret that we note the passing of Fergus. He was a monumental figure in the arts in Longford over a long number of years. He will be missed. His contribution and knowledge of the arts in his adopted county was second to none. To Sinead and Michael we send our condolences.”
Independent councillor, Mark Casey, added: “It was amazing how many people knew Fergus. He was deeply involved in the Environmental Summer School in Lanesboro for 10 years. Nothing was a problem for him. He always found a way to work around any difficulties. He had a great presence in the room. People respected him. It's a huge blow to arts and culture in Longford. Someone will have big shoes to fill.”
The local authority CE Paddy Mahon said: “We were hugely shocked by Fergus' passing. He was a highly regarded colleague. I would just like to pass on my sympathies and those of my colleagues, to Fergus' family.”
Most recently Fergus lived in Tarmonbarry, and was formerly of Cloontagh, Newtownforbes, Longford and Borrisokane, Tipperary.
Described as 'a knowledgeable man who will be terribly missed at Longford County Council', Fergus provided great support, direction and encouragement to the myriad of arts groups based in every corner of county Longford.