Patrick Hourigan

Patrick "Paddy" Hourigan ( 1934 – 7 May 2022) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who represented the Castleconnell electoral area on Limerick County Council from 1972 to 2004, and who served as Mayor of Limerick (Cathaoirleach) from 1993 to 1994. Over a public life spanning more than three decades, he became one of the best-known local Fine Gael figures in East Limerick.

Background Hourigan was born 1934 into a farming family at The Orchards, a house at Annagh, near Lisnagry, County Limerick, built by his father in the early 1930s. He was one of several children of James Hourigan (1893–1973), a farmer, and Mona Frances Hourigan (née Lane; 1903–1970).

Among his siblings was Richard Hourigan (1939–2002), who served as a Fine Gael senator for the Agricultural Panel between 1982 and 1987 and again from 1989 to 1993; a contemporary obituary of Richard Hourigan noted that his brother Paddy is a current member of the County Council.

His first election, in 1974, was closely fought: he took the sixth and final seat with 829 first-preference votes (8.4 per cent).

Later life Following his retirement from elected office, Hourigan remained active in community life in the Castleconnell and Murroe area. Speaking at the meeting, Hourigan paid tribute to former colleagues and council staff who had died, adding that "there is big change coming and I hope it is for the better." Hourigan was also a long-standing friend of Paddy Rainsford, a fellow Annagh resident and Fine Gael activist; the two men had gone for a drink together most Sundays for decades at Lee's Bar in Newport until Rainsford's death in December 2019.

Death Hourigan died at his home in Annagh, Lisnagry, on 7 May 2022. The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Daniel Butler, led tributes, describing him as "one of life's true gentlemen". A special meeting of Limerick City and County Council was convened online on 10 May 2022 to record a vote of sympathy, and the Irish flag was flown at half-mast on council buildings until after his funeral. Kieran O'Donnell described him as "a colossus in Limerick and local politics" and recalled his "remarkable political brain".

Hourigan reposed at Meehan's Funeral Home, Newport, on 9 May 2022. His funeral Mass was held at the Holy Rosary Church, Murroe, on 10 May 2022, followed by burial in Annagh Cemetery.

Electoral history Election First preferences Share Result 1974 829 8.4% Elected 1979 1,290 25.1% Elected 1985 1,364 12.9% Elected 1991 1,048 9.2% Elected 1999 899 7.3% Elected 2004 1,069 7.4% Not elected Source: IrelandElection.com, Castleconnell electoral area results, 1974–2004.