SEVERAL WELL-KNOWN Cork figures including former tánaiste Peter Barry and athlete Sonia O’Sullivan have been shortlisted for a new award named after the late taoiseach, Jack Lynch.
The Jack Lynch Commemoration Committee was recently established in conjunction with Cork South Central and Cork North Central Fianna Fáil.
The aim of the committee is to put in place an annual commemoration to honour the memory and the legacy of Cork’s only taoiseach, Jack Lynch, who died in 1999 at the age of 82. He served two terms as taoiseach – from 1966 to 1973 and from 1977 to 1979.
Among those nominated for the Jack Perpetual Shield are former Fine Gael minister Peter Barry, campaigner for the elderly Paddy O’Brien, property developer Owen O’Callaghan, GAA star Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, county board chairman Frank Murphy and opera singer Cara O’Sullivan. The nominees also include broadcaster John Creedon, musician Donal Ring, former Fine Gael lord mayor of Cork Dara Murphy and the current Labour Lord Mayor Mick O’Connell.
The first commemoration is to be held in January.
The committee hopes to invite three speakers to the ceremony to discuss Mr Lynch from a historical, political and personal perspective. Speaking on behalf of the committee Úna Lordan, vice chairwoman, said, “It is now time for Fianna Fáil members and the people of Cork to pay a fitting tribute annually to the memory of Jack Lynch, one of Cork’s favourite sons.”
Born in Cork in 1917, Mr Lynch worked as a civil servant and practised as a barrister before being elected to the Dáil in 1948.
He rose rapidly through the ranks to become Fianna Fáil leader and taoiseach in 1966 on the resignation of Seán Lemass.
He led the State and Fianna Fáil through the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the Arms Crisis in the Republic.
Jack Lynch was also a hurler and Gaelic footballer of distinction, winning six All-Ireland medals with his native Cork.