Cutting of the ribbon on CI O’Flynn’s bench – left to right – Niall O’Flynn, son of CI O’Flynn; Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard; Uachtarain na hEireann, Michael D. Higgins; and Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council. Photo: Andrew Downes, Xposure
PRESIDENT of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins and Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Mike Cubbard (IND) presided over the unveiling of two new stone benches in Eyre Square in memory of CI O’Flynn and Ronnie O’Gorman.
Both CI and Ronnie made unique contributions to life in Galway City. They were remembered at a ceremony Eyre Square and the Hardiman Hotel, with family, friends, elected members, staff of Galway City Council, and former workmates of Mr O’Gorman in the Galway Advertiser.
Ronnie founded the Galway Advertiser in the 1970s, he continued to edit the newspaper until his retirement in 2001 after which he served as Chairperson of Galway Advertiser Newspapers Ltd. It was one of the country’s first ‘free sheet’ papers. Born in Salthill, Ronnie inherited a passion for the written word from his family – with his father owning a bookshop and his family owning a print house which was the major printing works in Galway from 1910.
O’Gorman had a great love for the arts, he had an extensive knowledge of life and history in the west, having presented a popular podcast with Galway historian, Tom Kenny, with whom he also co-authored the ‘Old Galway Diary’ book series.
On Friday 10 May 2013, then Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Terry O’Flaherty, honoured Ronnie O’Gorman, as part of a group of historians including James Casserly, William Henry, Mr Tom Kenny and Peadar O’Dowd, with a civic reception recognising their individual contribution to the promotion of interest in local history and heritage in Galway City.
Clement Ignatious (CI) spent over thirty years as Galway City and County Manager from 1932 to 1965. His responsibilities included the Health Service for the entire County, including offshore islands. During the war years, he was County Commissioner, with responsibility for overseeing security and defence. He is credited with playing an important role in the preservation of Eyre Square as a public amenity for the people of Galway and for visitors to the city along with securing the return of the Galway Sword and Mace to the city. The then Bishop of Galway is said to have considered Eyre Square a suitable site for the new Cathedral, which was subsequently built on the former Gaol site.
Major developments during Mr O’Flynn’s term, which are still part of the fabric of Galway City, include, the extension and development of Salthill prom, the Leisureland complex, the building of Merlin Park Hospital on land Mr O’Flynn acquired from Captain Waitman, the development of Central Hospital into Regional Hospital plus the construction of Mervue and Shantalla Housing Estates. At the time of his death in 1992, he held the record as the longest service City/ County Manager in the history of the state.
Mayor Cubbard stated, “As Chair of the Civic Commemoration and Naming Committee, it is a great honour to review nominations for remembrance for our city, and to hear the details of people who have given their time and energy to our city across a range of fields”.
He said both CI and Ronnie “gave to Galway in their own unique and invaluable ways”. He recalled that they “dedicated their energy, talents and skills in the city of Galway – in diverse fields, with long lasting impacts. It is fitting that we remember two men who served our city well, in a place that is central and iconic to our city, in Eyre Square”.
Ronnie made the Advertiser “a weekly staple in letterboxes and on kitchen tables in Galway City and beyond, on a Thursday morning. Mr O’Gorman had a great love of the arts and an extensive knowledge of life and history in the west,” he added.
Ben O’Gorman, Ronnie’s son said, “Ronnie’s family is moved and delighted with this honour. He loved Galway and it’s clear Galway loved him back”.
Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary noted, “CI O’Flynn devoted his life to public service, in particular the people of Galway City and County. It is the nature of public service, that those who work in the sector, do so to make a meaningful difference in society, to serve their communities and to support democracy in our country. C I O’Flynn was one such man”.
CI’s son Niall commented, “My Father’s sense of public service came from a large family with a keen sense of public service. His father was an Alderman in Limerick and most of CI’s brothers and sisters took up public service careers.”
The two new benches were installed in Eyre Square, close to St Columba’s Credit Union, with the dedications reading, ‘In commemoration of C I O’Flynn, Galway City and County Manager, for over thirty years (1932 – 1965). He devoted his life to public service, in particular the people of Galway City and County’. ‘In commemoration of Ronnie O’Gorman (1945-2024). “A simply irrepressible man who came home to his Galway roots to make an unforgettable contribution,” President Michael D. Higgins.
Tributes were paid to the staff in recreation and amenity for their work on the commemoration; to Galway Salvage Gallery for making and engraving the benches, and to the pavement contractor Ecoflex Surfacing Ltd.
