'A relentless advocate for Cork's northside': Former Lord Mayor Danny Wallace dies aged 82

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: 'His passion for serving his people was unwavering, and he fought relentlessly to improve their lives.'

In the years leading up to his political tenure, Dan Wallace worked as a clerk with the Ford Motor Company. File picture: Denis Minihane

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described former Cork Lord Mayor Danny Wallace as a "tireless, unwavering, and relentless advocate for Cork's northside" following the death of the former minister aged 82.

The Former Lord Mayor of Cork and Cork North Central TD was first elected by Fianna Fáil in the 1979 local elections. He is best remembered in Cork for representing the Cork City North West ward serving as Lord Mayor of the city between 1985 and 1986. 

Politics was very much a family affair for Mr Wallace, whose son Damian served as Lord Mayor from 1999 to 2000. This was at a time when Dan Wallace was serving as Minister of State at the Environment and Local Government, a role he filled between 1997 and 2002. His retirement came in 2007 after 25 years in Leinster House.

In the years leading up to his political tenure, the Cork northside man worked as a clerk with the Ford Motor Company.

The Taoiseach said: "Throughout his career, Dan was a tireless advocate for the people of the north side of Cork City. His passion for serving his people was unwavering, and he fought relentlessly to improve their lives.

"On a personal level, I will miss Dan greatly. As a young student, during the three general elections of the 1981-1982 period, I canvassed with Dan throughout Farranree, Gurranabraher and Blackpool. 

Mayor of Paris, Mr Jacques Chirac (right), presenting the Paris medal to Dan Wallace (centre), Lord Mayor of Cork, in front of his wife Mrs Ethel Wallace (left), Lady Mayoress, during his visit with the Gaulist R.P.R. Party to Ireland at Cork City Hall in 1985.

"I remember well the mixed grills that Ethel had ready for us when canvassing ended. I learned so much about the nuts and bolts of electoral politics from those days and from Dan."

Local representation remains vital because of "giants like Danny Wallace", his political colleagues in Cork have said.

Cllr Terry Shannon remembers Mr Wallace — who is survived by his wife Ethel and children Damian, Fiona, Kieran, Nicola and Andrea — fondly.

“It’s a sad day for Irish politics but the party is strong in Cork because we are standing on the shoulders of giants like Danny Wallace," Mr Shannon said.

“He was the quintessential Cork man in every sense. He was a man of the people who lived among his people. Danny served them well for many years both locally and nationally. 

There were no airs and graces or big offices. If you needed anything he would speak to you in his own front room. He was one of our own and the northside loved him.

He highlighted how generous the politician was with his time.

“It’s a sad day to see a giant of Irish politics and Cork politics pass on but the party is strong in Cork because of Danny Wallace and others who went before him. This was a man who gave his time freely because he knew it didn’t cost a thing. It was very valuable to him and he gave it to everybody. 

"If someone called to his house with an issue they were never rushed. The dinner was put back in the oven because Danny was there to help them. No job was too big or too small. He really was salt of the earth.”

 He extended his sympathies to Mr Wallace's family including his widow Ethel.

“They were a great partnership and inseparable in that sense.” 

Cork City North West councillor Tony Fitzgerald echoed Mr Shannon’s sentiment.

“We were personal friends for a long, long time,” he said. “It was always a pleasure to canvass for him and to work with him. 

Lord Mayor Cllr Deirdre Forde with former Lord Mayor Dan Wallace at a civic reception in Cork City Hall in 2023. Local representation remains vital because of "giants like Danny Wallace", his political colleagues in Cork have said. File photo: Darragh Kane

"He was a gentleman who was very proud of his family including all his children and his grandchildren. He loved sport but above all, he worked tirelessly for the people of Cork and put everything into meeting their needs. He was a people’s man.” 

Cllr Dr John Sheehan remarked that Dan had been a role model to so many.

"Danny was a huge character on the northside and a huge inspiration for me personally when I got involved in politics," he said. "He was really encouraging of people entering politics from all parties."

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle expressed his condolences to the family and friends of former Lord Mayor.

Danny Wallace in 1985. He is best remembered in Cork for representing the Cork City North West ward serving as Lord Mayor of the city between 1985 and 1986. 

“Danny served as a councillor on the then Cork Corporation from 1979-1992 and was elected Lord Mayor in 1985,” he said. 

"He was instrumental in the developmental of our sister city relationship with San Francisco; a relationship that has flourished for over 40 years. My condolences to Danny’s wife Ethel, his children Damian, Fiona, Kieran, Nicola and Andrea."

The Lord Mayor will open a book of condolences in City Hall tomorrow to mark his passing.