Taoiseach Micheál Martin has led tributes to former mayor of Co Cork, councillor Joe Carroll, following his death on Friday.
Mr Carroll, who served as mayor in 2024, died after a short illness with pancreatic cancer.
Originally from Dunmanway, Mr Carroll was elected to Skibbereen Town Council in 1999, dedicating his time as a local representative to improving infrastructure, tourism, and youth and age-friendly initiatives across West Cork.
He was elected to Cork County Council in 2004, representing the Skibbereen-West Cork local electoral area.
Mr Martin said: “Joe was an institution in Cork politics, both in his home area of West Cork and beyond. He was gregarious and very hard-working. Always on the ground, Joe was a natural public representative.
“He cared deeply and passionately about his community and the people he represented. He advocated tirelessly for them and worked to improve the lives of the communities and people he represented. Joe had a tremendous understanding of all issues that impacted on the people within his electoral area.
“Right throughout his public life, Joe was a true champion for Skibbereen, supporting local business and enterprise.”
Micheál Martin with Joe Carroll at the Cork SFC final in 2024 where Castlehaven defeated Nemo Rangers at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. File picture: Brian Lougheed
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Fianna Fáil Cork South West TD Christopher O’Sullivan said Mr Carroll was an “incredible” person who brought “great craic and joy to every occasion”.
“It’s devastating — he was so joyful and will leave a massive hole in Skibbereen,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
“He was an amazing singer and musician, and he was particularly loved by American delegations who came over from Massachusetts and Chicago — Joe was always the life and soul of the party.
“I remember my first ever election, we ran on the same ticket, and the caption on his poster was ‘talk to Joe’, and that was so accurate because Joe was someone people could talk to, he was just so approachable and amenable.
“He is a giant loss to Skibbereen and West Cork as a whole,” said Mr O’Sullivan, adding that Mr Carroll “really fought for the regular people of West Cork”.
He added: “My thoughts are with Sheila, Linda, his entire family, and all of his friends — may he rest in peace.”
Then mayor of Co Cork Joe Carroll with his wife Sheila on May 3, 2025. Picture: Brian Lougheed
The mayor of Co Cork, Mary Linehan Foley, said there is a feeling of “profound sorrow at the loss of our wonderful colleague, Joe Carroll”.
He was a fixture of Cork County Council’s business for many years and a distinctive voice in the chamber.
“He cared deeply about his community. Not only was he held in the highest regard by his fellow councillors, but the respect he earned from his constituents was clearly reflected at the polls.”
Cork County Council chief executive Moira Murrell said Mr Carroll “devoted a significant portion of his life to public service, serving the people of West Cork with dedication, integrity and care”.
“His contribution has left a lasting legacy — politically, professionally, and personally — on all who worked with him and on the communities he represented,” said Ms Murrell.
“He will be remembered with great fondness by his colleagues and by all staff.
“Cork County Council extends its sincere sympathies to his wife Sheila and family, his elected member colleagues and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.”
Fine Gael councillor for the Skibbereen electoral area Brendan McCarthy said Mr Carroll was a “larger than life character”.
“He was great craic; he was the life and soul of the chamber and any room he was in,” said Mr McCarthy.
“The town is in utter shock and devastation — I’ve known him all my life but served with him in the town council in Skibbereen from 2004 to 2009.
“I was looking forward to working with him many more times, he taught me so much about the running of the county council.
“We were in different political parties, but we were always good friends,” he added.
He wasn’t from Skibbereen by birth, but after 50 years, he was one of us.
“He had a huge circle of great friends and was loved by his family. My condolences are with all of them during this time.”
Social Democrats Cork South West TD Holly Cairns said many would remember “what a character Joe was and what a hard-working councillor he was for the area”.
“I am so sorry to hear of Joe’s sudden passing,” said Ms Cairns.
“I will always remember how Joe went out of his way to encourage and include me when I first decided to run for the council.
“He invited me to a meeting, collected me, and chatted to me about politics the whole way there and back. That is the kind of person he was, and the person that all of Skibbereen will miss.
“My heart goes out to his wife Sheila, and all his family and friends at this time.”
A death notice on RIP.ie for Mr Carroll, published on Friday night, said he had died surrounded by his loving family — wife Sheila, daughter Linda, son Kieran, and granddaughter Anna — and would be “lovingly remembered” by his family, colleagues, and a large circle of friends.
A rosary will be said for Mr Carroll by family and close friends at Hurley & O’Sullivan’s funeral home in Skibbereen on Saturday at 7pm. He will then repose at the same location on Sunday between 4pm and 7pm.
The funeral service will be held on Monday at 12pm in St Patrick’s Cathedral in the town before Mr Carroll is laid to rest in nearby St Patrick’s cemetery.