The death of Cork's Máirín Quill: 'She was a true patriot'

Máirín Quill championed the arts and culture in Cork

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has paid tribute to former Cork TD, Senator, and councillor, Máirín Quill, who passed away on Thursday at Marymount Hospice in Cork city.

Mr Martin said that he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the death of Ms Quill whom he described as having served the people of Cork with “great distinction".

“Erudite and impactful, Máirín championed the arts and culture in the city of Cork.

"I served on many boards with her, but I particularly enjoyed our time together on the arts committee of Cork Corporation. Máirín was a true renaissance figure with a great sense of the future of our city.

"She was always very helpful in providing advice and creative ideas. She was a true patriot and it was an honour to be her friend and colleague," said Mr Martin.

"My deepest sympathies go to all her family and friends.” 

Ms Quill was one of the first women to win a Dáil seat in Cork for Fianna Fáil before going on to become a founding member of the Progressive Democrats. 

Ms Quill of Wellesley Terrace, Wellington Road, Cork city and formerly of Gortloughera, Kilgarvan, Co Kerry passed away peacefully, in the presence of her loving family after a long illness.

The 89-year-old was one of the first women to win a Dáil seat in Cork for Fianna Fáil before going on to become a founding member of the Progressive Democrats. 

She won a seat in the North East Ward of Cork city in the local elections of 1979. She failed to be elected in Cork North Central for Fianna Fáil in the 1977 and 1981 general elections.

Ms Quill joined Des O’Malley and Mary Harney in setting up the Progressive Democrats in 1985. 

She was a party candidate in Cork North Central in the 1987 general election and was one of 14 PDs who were elected to the 25th Dáil.

She retained her seat in 1989 and 1992, but lost out to Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher in 1997. She was subsequently nominated by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to the 21st Seanad. 

She retained her council seat in Cork North East in 1999 and 2004 but did not contest the local elections of 2009.

Ms Quill's body will lie in repose at Coburg Street Funeral Home of Jerh O’Connor Ltd on Friday from 5pm to 6pm.

Her requiem mass will take place at 10am on Saturday in St Patrick’s Church, Lower Glanmire Road, Cork with burial following at St Garvan’s Cemetery, Kilgarvan, Co Kerry. 

Mourners are asked to donate to Marymount Hospice in lieu of flowers.