‘Máirín loved Cork city but in particular the northside’Máirín Quill – RIP(Image: RIP.ie)

Former Cork TD and Senator Máirín Quill has died today aged 89.

Born in County Kerry in 1936, Ms Quill was elected to the Dáil in 1987, serving as TD for the Cork North-Central constituency. While she had previously contested the seat for Fianna Fáil, she was ultimately elected as a TD for the Progressive Democrats, of which she was a founding member. Ms Quill also made history as the first woman from Cork to be elected to the Dáil who did not replace a family member.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin this evening said that he was “deeply, deeply saddened” to learn of Ms Quill’s passing: “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. My deepest sympathies go to all her family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”

Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher, previously a TD for Cork North-Central, also shared a tribute to the late former senator: “Máirin Quill was not just a constituency colleague, she was a friend of mine, and I will miss her now that she has passed away.

“While we shared the constituency of Cork North-Central, and competed for votes, I can truthfully say I don’t think we ever shared a bad word between us. Máirín loved Cork city but in particular the northside of Cork where she served with distinction as a councillor, Senator and TD for many years.

“For over nine years, we served together in the Oireachtas, and over that time, I grew to respect and admire her deeply. She will be fondly remembered by the thousands of students she taught in her lifetime. She had an amazing ability to communicate with young people, and to get them to open up about their hopes, dreams and ambitions. In her role as a teacher, she contributed greatly to the education system on Cork’s northside.”

Mr Kelleher added: “My sympathies to her family, especially her nephews Brian and Raymond, on the loss of their dear aunt. I will miss our regular chats either on Wellington Road or in the English Market. Máirín was an Irish patriot who loved her city and her country. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilis.”

Cork businessman Michael Mulcahy, President at the Little Island Business Association, also spoke fondly of the late Ms Quill, with whom he met every month in Cork city: “It’s sad to hear of the passing of Mairin Quill, former TD, Senator and Councillor at Cork City Council. Mairin and her late sister Ita were tremendous supporters of all things Cork, and in particular the arts and culture sector.

“I got to know Mairin over 35 years ago, and her unstoppable commitment to working for Cork’s Northside and all of Cork was admirable. We generally met monthly at the Cork Vision Centre, now St. Peter’s Cork on North Main Street where Mairin and Ita would join the late John X. Miller and everyone else attending, to support artists and creators in the arts and culture community.”