Mr Martin Dully, former chairman and director general of Bord Failte and chief executive of Aer Rianta, has died at the age of 66 following an accident at his home in Clontarf, Dublin, on Friday. It is understood he fell from a ladder while carrying out repairs to his house.
Before moving to Bord Failte, Mr Dully was chief executive of Aer Rianta, the State company which manages Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports. He was appointed to this position in 1981, having been a senior executive in Aer Lingus. In Aer Lingus he had been general manager (regions) and was responsible for sales, publicity, airport handling and personnel.
From Athlone, he had lived in Clontarf for the past 35 years. His hobbies were gardening and golf. He was a member of St Anne's Golf Club.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, daughters Majella and Hilary, son Marty, sister Mary, brothers Paudge and John.
The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid, said yesterday that Mr Dully had made a major contribution to Irish aviation and tourism as chief executive of Aer Rianta and later Bord Failte.
He was chairman and director general of Bord Failte from 1988 until his retirement in 1993, when his five-year contract expired. He was credited with many achievements, not least the sense of confidence he restored to an industry more accustomed to stagnation since the glory days of the 1960s. The confidence and the newly won EU structural funds led to an investment in Irish tourism of nearly £1 billion over five years, creating 25,000 jobs.
In 1985 Mr Dully was elected to a three-year term as a director of the Airport Operators' Council International. He was the first Irishman to be elected to this body, which represents 226 airports on six continents.
The removal will take place from his home today to St Anthony's Church, Clontarf, arriving at 5.30 p.m. Funeral leaving St Anthony's Church following prayers at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning; Requiem Mass at noon in St Mary's Church, Athlone. Burial afterwards in Coosan cemetery.