Kinsale says farewell to Floyd

Tributes have been paid to the larger than life celebrity chef Keith Floyd, who added “sparkle to Kinsale”, following his death last night.

Leading figures in the gourmet town today said the flamboyant character left an indelible mark on Kinsale.

The 65-year-old star who died from a heart attack, bought The Creek Lodge in Belgooly in the late 80s and lived there on and off over the next 10 years, renovating it extensively.

Mayor Tomás O’Brien said: “He was great at promoting Kinsale and was a good friend to the town, its people, publicans and restaurants.

“He will be sadly missed and left a great mark including paying for the design of the Kinsale Rugby Clubhouse as well as shooting commercials and TV series in the town.”

Legendary stories of the chef’s association with Kinsale included the year he brought a host of England rugby stars to Kinsale to compete in the Sevens tournament in the mid 1990s.

Former owner of Floyd’s ‘local’, the 1601 pub, Kevin Sanquest said he left his mark on all he met through his warm smile.

Friend Billy Mackesy of Douglas Village Foods paid tribute to a colourful character who loved Cork because he was left to himself and could talk easily to people.

“Keith would call Cork Airport the pub with a runway and whenever he came here we had to stop for a drink in the bar first.

“He received a hero’s welcome whenever he returned and people loved him for his openness, generosity and the fact that he was always great fun.”

The chef was also a regular visitor to Kinsale restaurants and Kinsale Good Food Circle Chairman Carol Norman said: “He blended in really well and made some good friends here — he always added sparkle to Kinsale whenever he was here.

“He was a larger-than-life character in a town full of larger-than-life characters and I think that was why he fitted in so well.”

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo.