AFFECTIONATELY known as ‘Beardy’, the late Cllr Michael Creed was described as a ‘character and one of a kind’ at his requiem mass at St Albina’s Church in Clondrohid on Tuesday.

The 68-year-old Fine Gael councillor from Carraigaphooca, Clondrohid, who had served on the Macroom Municipal District since 2007, passed away peacefully at Cork University Hospital on Sunday surrounded by his loving family.

As a mark of respect to him, a special meeting of Cork County Council took place at the Briery Gap in Macroom on Tuesday morning, where councillors got the opportunity to remember and pay tribute to their late colleague.

Michael’s nephew Jerome said his late uncle, who was better known to many as ‘Beardy’, was a ‘good friend, a character and one of kind’.

‘We saw the real Michael through his work in the Department of Agriculture and in Cork County Council.

No matter the issue, no matter how complex, Michael was the man to call and his phone never stopped ringing, and he loved nothing more than being able to solve the problem,’ said Jerome.

‘He absolutely loved being a councillor and representing the people of Macroom and the wider area.’

He joked that Michael used to call himself a farmer, while Jerome would say ‘five-eighths’ of a farmer, noting: ‘He loved the land and wheeling and dealing at the mart.’

He said his late uncle was very generous and never put himself first.

‘The only time he wanted to be number one was on the ballot paper or buying the first round of drinks. He was happiest in the company of others and when he got sick he didn’t want people to know. He wanted to continue life as normal and not to be treated any differently,’ added Jerome.

He said Michael was well known and everyone has a story about him.

‘As a family we are overwhelmed by the amount of people we have met this week and the volume of messages we have received on RIP.ie. Your kind words have been of great comfort to us.’

‘His filing system was unique, rough and ready just like himself and only he understood it,’ he joked and added that while Michael never married it wasn’t for the want of trying.

‘We loved him dearly and he will be sadly missed and Beardy, I’m sure there are a lot of problems up there waiting for you to sort them, so rest easy.’

Altar gifts to symbolise his life included his council diary which represented his interest in politics and Fine Gael; his Cork GAA cap representing his interest in all sports; a photo of him in front of his cows representing his love of agriculture, and a bag of sweets which he usually had on him to share with his grandnephews and nieces.

The Government was represented by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan, while Ciarán Curtin represented Tánaiste Simon Harris.

Cllr Creed’s funeral took place afterwards at St Colman’s Cemetery in Macroom. He is survived by his siblings Concepta, Imelda, Anne, Caroline, Noelle, Larry and Kieran.

The book of condolences opened for Cllr Michael Creed.

A True Gentleman : Council Tributes to Cllr Creed and his Lasting Legacy

By Jackie Keogh

'ALWAYS good natured,' was a phrase used to describe the Fine Gael councillor Michael Creed by his colleague Cllr Marie O'Sullivan, who led the tributes at a meeting of the Western Division on Monday, writes Jackie Keogh.

'Michael was a real character within the party,' said Cllr O’Sullivan. 'He was a man of immense knowledge, and a true gentleman. He loved the banter in the chamber and in the party room, and he was always quick to throw a spanner in the works with a comment, then stand back with that roguish smile and watch everyone react.

‘That was Michael: sharp, mischievous, and always good-natured. He was also incredibly generous. If you ever had a problem or needed to know who to go to, he wouldn’t just give you a name he’d take you there himself. 

'Michael will be sadly missed by all of us, and I can’t help but think that there are now three wise men in heaven: Gerard Murphy, Patrick Gerard Murphy, and Michael.’

The executive, staff and members of Cork County Council also expressed their profound sorrow at the passing of Cllr Creed.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, said: 'His passing is felt not only within the council but throughout the community he served with such devotion. In all my dealings with him, his commitment to community life, his focus on rural issues, and his determination to ensure fair representation were always evident.’

Council chief executive Moira Murrell said: 'Michael Creed’s service to rural communities has created ​'a legacy that will endure for many years.’