A PASSIONATE and proud West Cork man, Fianna Fáil Cllr Joe Carroll was a powerful advocate for the region and his death last Friday brought an air of gloom across Skibbereen when news broke that the popular 73-year-old Dunmanway native passed away after a short and sudden illness.

O’Donovan Rossa GAA said Joe’s great passion in life was helping people.

‘Joe had a reputation for getting jobs done for people regardless of their political persuasion. He went about his business quietly and efficiently never looking for recognition,’ the club posted.

Joe was a committee member in the club for many years, holding the offices of pro and vice-chairman and he was a great help to the club and many other clubs in securing grants for them.

‘It is on a personal level where Joe will be mostly missed. He was a character like no other. His ability to spin yarns, recount tales and sing songs was unmatched. No one will ever sing ‘The Old Dungarvan Oaks’ like him. Just being in his presence was a joy. There won’t be another like Joe.’

Dohenys GAA Club said Joe was a former player and dear friend to the club.

‘He was a true character whose presence lit up every gathering. A rendition of ‘Up the Doheny’s could often be heard sung by Joe reiterating his great grá for his hometown of Dunmanway.’

Bol Chumann na hÉireann said Joe was a wonderful supporter of theirs in all their needs over the years and was a handy bowler too back in the day, while the West Cork Hotel said Joe’s legacy will live on in the many lives he touched and the positive impact he made throughout Cork and beyond.

Cape Clear Ferries said he was always ‘approachable, dependable and willing to help’ when it came to matters on the island.

‘Joe was also a warm and cordial man, the kind of person you could enjoy a cúpla pionta with and be all the better for it.’

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Joe was an ‘institution in Cork politics’ both in his home area of West Cork and beyond.

‘He was gregarious and very hardworking. Always on the ground, Joe was a natural public representative. He cared deeply and passionately about his community and the people he represented.’

He also said Joe had a great appreciation of the importance of sport and the role it plays in all our lives.

Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns said that everyone will know what a character Joe was and what a hardworking councillor he was for the area.

‘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.’

Fine Gael Senator Noel O’Donovan described Joe as an ‘icon.’

‘A man of fun who could light up any room, loved by all and a true public servant. There will never be his likes again.’

Joe’s colleagues also paid tribute to him at a special and poignant meeting held in Skibbereen Town Hall on Monday ahead of his funeral mass.

County Mayor Cllr Mary Linehan Foley (Ind) said she was deeply saddened by the loss of her esteemed colleague and dear friend. She joked she had a hard act to follow when taking up the mayoral chains following his tenure as county mayor.

‘He was never one to shy away in a room and he was a straight shooter in the very best sense. He was especially passionate about doing his very best for West Cork and for the young people growing up there,’ she said.

Fine Gael party leader Michael Hegarty said they were great friends and he will be truly missed by all in Cork County Council and the people he represented.

Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) said he was a ‘large than life character’ who had the innate ability to light up any room.

‘The Council chamber will be all the poorer without Joe. There was only one Joe. He was also a serious advocate for West Cork and felt deeply that things had to happen.’

He said he had put on a dark suit for the meeting but swapped to a coloured one because Joe brought colour to people.

Cllr Danny Collins (Ind Ire) said there was ‘no show like a Joe show’ and that he stood out.

Cllr Ann Bambury (SD) said he was very helpful to her when she joined Cork County Council and he will be sorely missed ad was a great character.

Cllr Peter O’Donoghue (Aon) said Joe fought ‘tooth and nail for West Cork’, while Cllr Caroline Cronin (FG) said they have lost an ‘absolute legend here in West Cork.’

His colleague, Cllr Deirdre Kelly said the world is a little quieter and less colourful without Joe and said his legacy lives on in the work he did for West Cork.

‘Thank you for your laughter, loyalty and friendship,’ she said.

Cllr Brendan McCarthy (FG) said she knew Joe all his life from when Joe was a school bus driver and said he was an amazing man to get work done.