Tributes are being paid to Manchester legend Pat Karney following his sad death at the age of 78. ‘Mr Manchester’ served the city for almost half a century with pride, humour and commitment.
A true one-off, he was a familiar face to generations of Mancunians, serving as a councillor in Harpurhey from 1979. Coun Karney – described as a ‘force of nature’ – was one of the city’s most prominent and well-known local politicians, respected by colleagues from all parties across Greater Manchester.
Irish-born Coun Karney was receiving treatment for cancer at The Christie prior to his death, the town hall said. “We knew the Pat that everyone else knew but we also knew him as a friend – someone who was always there with sage advice,” the council said in a statement announcing the sad news on Tuesday evening (October 13).
The town hall added: “We will miss him personally as much as we miss him politically. Closest to his heart was always Collyhurst/Harpurhey and north Manchester and enthusiastically advocating investment in, and celebration of, the area.”
Pat Karney, Christmas 2025(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“A visionary. A pioneer. A true Mancunian,” nightlife figure Sacha Lord posted after the news of Coun Karney’s death broke. A larger than life character and lover of a good photo opportunity, Coun Karney was no stranger to a bit of fancy dress – especially at Christmas.
For many years, he was a champion and spokesperson for the Christmas Markets and festive events. He was the town hall’s city centre spokesman, ensuring goings on in the heart of Manchester were smooth. He always wanted the city to shine on the world stage.
Fittingly, his last post on X – formerly Twitter – on Monday (October 12) was about the Manchester Evening News and the Christmas Markets. It read: “The Most Full on Christmas Guide I have ever seen from [Dianne Bourne].
“The [Manchester Evening News] has been a huge supporter of the City’s Christmas Season from day one.”
Coun Karney was one of the pivotal figures in the regeneration of the city centre following the 1996 IRA bombing, chairing the committee established to oversee its rebirth.
The Labour councillor was a director of non-for-profit city centre management company Cityco from 2000 and was a director at tourism body Marketing Manchester between 2002 and 2014.
Coun Pat Karney was Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson for years(Image: ABNM Photography)
The annual Manchester Day celebration was Coun Karney’s idea and will be among his great many legacies. Coun Karney was a staunch advocate for gay rights, including in the 1980s when Manchester council fought against Clause 28.
Moving to the city at the age of nine from Dublin, Coun Karney was immensely proud of his Irish roots and was heavily involved in Manchester’s Irish community over the years, playing a key part in the beloved Irish Festival.
Council leader Garry Bridges said: “Pat was a giant of Manchester politics and one of the city’s most recognisable public figures for nearly 50 years. He was truly a one-off and someone whose loss the city will feel deeply.
“Pat was Manchester through and through and he never lost his determination to champion the city or his astute political judgement. It is typical of his commitment that he was working on behalf of his constituents right until the end.
“He never lost his connection with where he came from – he was proud to be from Collyhurst and to represent the people of Harpurhey and Collyhurst.
“Pat loved this city and civic pride really mattered to him. He was the driving force behind important events like Manchester Day and our Christmas festivities which he began planning earlier each year. In recent years he strongly supported Harpurhey Together and argued passionately for more local events celebrating all that is good in our neighbourhoods.
Pat Karney in 2019(Image: Sean Hansford)
“He’s played an influential role in Manchester’s renaissance and driven improvements in the city centre – standing up for its businesses and attractions, while being outspoken about where he thought change was needed, such as in Piccadilly Gardens.
“While he was deeply serious about his politics and his values, he had a great sense of fun and wasn’t afraid to put himself in the spotlight or use a gimmick or two to get his message across.
Council chief executive Tom Stannard said: “Pat Karney epitomised public service and gave fifty years of his life as a Harpurhey ward councillor. He was a determined character, always forthright in getting his views across, but always motivated by what he thought best for the city and ward he loved and had represented for so long. His life of public service to this city was energetic and relentless, and we know he worked determinedly until the end.
“I will miss his wisdom, his generosity with time and his inimitable grasp of Manchester’s history as well as his forever optimism about its future. We will also treasure his leadership on equalities issues, which generations of public service leaders can learn so much from.
“For all his public profile, he was also someone who could be very supportive behind the scenes and was deeply appreciative of the hard work of council staff. Pat was everything that is is wonderful about the spirit of public service. He will be deeply missed by us all, and my thoughts and love go to his family and friends.”
Former Manchester council leader, now Greater Manchester mayor, Bev Craig added: “Across Manchester and across politics, many will mourn the loss of Pat Karney, a force of nature who served our city for half a century. My thoughts are with his family, who he treasured and adored, at this difficult time. He will always be in our hearts.
Councillor Karney with Bev Craig(Image: Jason Roberts/Manchester Evening News)
“Affectionately known by many as Mr Manchester, Pat was one of the city’s most recognisable figures. Through Manchester’s renaissance, Pat championed making our city what it is today from the regeneration of the city centre, improving the health of Manchester people, to the creation of Manchester Day – he was incredibly proud of Manchester and recognised the need to bring people together.
“A local north Manchester boy, he championed Manchester while ferociously fighting for the people of Harpuhey and Collyhurst. He delivered on the ground from new council housing and a GP surgery to championing a new North Manchester Hospital.
“Pat was one of a kind, passionate, determined, sharp and quick witted, but he was also thoughtful, kind and supportive. He will be remembered too for his sense of fun.
“A private man, he was in many ways a trailblazer in politics, someone who sacrificed a lot to be himself he championed the gay village and LGBT equality, he paved the way for generations who came after him.
“Working together for over 15 years we became good friends and like many I will miss him- but also make sure his achievements are celebrated in a way that he would be proud of.”
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