Tributes to former Cork city manager Jack Higgins

WARM tributes were paid last night to former Cork and Limerick city manager, Jack Higgins, with councillors describing him as “very efficient public servant” and “a strategic thinker”.

Mr Higgins was Cork city manager from 1995 to 2000. Before that, he was Limerick city manager for eight years. He was also assistant city manager in his native Cork during Joe McHugh’s tenure at Cork City Hall.

Mr Higgins is credited with having been instrumental in the re-design of the Cork city centre streetscape and the redevelopment of Mahon as a commercial hub.

Mr Higgins also sat on the board of the Everyman Palace Theatre in Cork for 10 years up to his death and was on the board of the Cork Midsummer Festival.

Limerick councillors said he “left a strong impression on the city of Limerick”.

Cork City manager Joe Gavin said he was saddened to hear of his predecessor’s death and described Jack and his wife, Phil, as a “devoted couple”.

“We would regularly meet. I knew him well. I would like to think out of all the developments that he was involved in this city, the redevelopment of the Mahon peninsula is one that made him very proud,” he said.

Everyman Palace Theatre chairman Michael White said the board ofthe theatre were “shocked andsaddened” at the passing of their board member.

“He was a valued member of the board whose wisdom and experience will be sorely missed.”

Limerick East Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan said he was a “lovely man who was particularly popular with elected representatives as he had such a warm personality”.

Former city lord mayor and Fine Gael councillor Jim Corr said Jack Higgins knew “every street in the city”.

Former Progressive Democrat councillor Máirín Quill described him as a “cool and calm” man who was “progressive” and “a strategic thinker”.

“He relished greatly the cleaning up of the River Lee, putting the main drainage in place and the interceptor system which removed debris to Little Island. He also restarted the Lee Swim and was the first, along with Ted Crosbie, to enter the water at the relaunched race,” she said.

“He also showed great skill in the way that he developed Wandesford Quay. There were three diverse groups, the Backwater Painters on Pine Street, Cork Printmakers and then the Fenton Gallery which he brought to one space. That site, with Cork’s first proper commercial gallery, the Fenton Gallery, was a key factor in Cork being designated the European City of Culture 2005 title,” she said.

Mr Higgins is survived by his wife Phil and six children. Prayers will take place at St Michael’s Church Blackrock from 5-8pm this evening. His funeral Mass will take place at 12 noon tomorrow at St Michael’s.