Tom O'Gorman: Tom O'Gorman, who died recently in Florida, dedicated his career to the growth of tourism in Ireland.
His career spanned the emergence of tourism as an industry of major importance in the Irish economy.
Its recognition as such had to be won in the teeth of much early political indifference and a conviction among communities up and down the country that the factory chimney was the only true symbol of success.
Tourism was treated with political indifference. "You can't live on the scenery" was generally accepted as gospel. Thomas O'Gorman was fated to have an important role in changing such negative attitudes.
He was one of two sons born (by his father's first marriage) to John O'Gorman of Priory Park, a stately residence in Clonmel, and his first wife, Margaret Smith of Ardfinnan, Co Tipperary. After her death and while Tom O'Gorman was still a young boy, his father married Catherine O'Brien of Shanagolden, Foynes, Co Limerick. They had five boys and four girls.
John O'Gorman had come from New Inn in Co Tipperary. Under his direction what began as a small coach-gilding firm in Clonmel expanded rapidly, producing every kind of horse-drawn transport and later becoming a Mercedes dealership.
Tom O'Gorman abandoned the prospect of becoming heir-apparent to a prosperous business in favour of the religious life. He joined the Jesuits and studied as a novice at Emo Court, Portarlington, Co Laois. In time he found he did not have a vocation, but he emerged into the layman's world with an abiding interest in philosophy and logic.
He made a new start in Dublin. He stayed in An Stad, a well-known and somewhat bohemian hotel close to the city centre. Presenting himself for a job interview with the Irish Tourist Association, his classical education, fluency in Irish (learnt in Ring) and knowledge of the countryside impressed the chairman, the redoubtable J P O'Brien, and he was given the job. Later he was seconded to the statutory Irish Tourist Board.
Right up to his retirement as director of development almost 40 years later, Tom O'Gorman remained at this administrative heart of Irish tourism. His was no nine-to-five desk job. Indeed, he often worked a seven-day week on the move throughout Ireland, exhorting and organising, meeting communities whose projects were beginning to take shape.
In 1953 Seán Lemass, as minister for industry and commerce, accepted proposals from Pan American Airways on generating off-peak tourist travel from the US. As a result he directed the tourist board to organise a homecoming scheme for Irish-Americans.
Thus An Tostal was born, with Maj Gen Hugo MacNeill as organiser and Tom O'Gorman as his deputy. He set up more than 50 local councils, which in turn led to the establishment of the Rose of Tralee, Cork choral and film festivals, and a host of other events, many of which endured long after An Tostal had run its five-year course.
The crowning achievement of his career was the establishment of the regional tourism organisations. Eight were set up, each with its own chairman and board and executive staff. Guided by Bord Fáilte (now Fáilte Ireland), they have been responsible for advancing tourism in every way throughout the Republic.
To Tom O'Gorman also and to Matt McNulty - then manager of Dublin Regional Tourism - belongs much of the credit for ensuring that Malahide Castle and its furnishings were saved for the nation at a time when the shadow of the developer hung over this magnificent property.
Thomas O'Gorman: born July 2nd, 1916; died July 14th, 2005