There was a great sense of sadness in Killarney town today (Monday) as well-known businessman Tom (Tommy) Cronin was laid to rest.

Mr Cronin, who passed away on Friday, operated a thriving butcher shop on High Street, a business that has been in the Cronin family for five generations. It continues to be successful under the guiding hand of his son, Denis.

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has paid tribute to Tom, commenting that his passing marks a real end of an era for the Killarney business community.

Cronin’s Butchers has been synonymous with Killarney business life and the shop has supplied and continues to supply several hotels, restaurants and guesthouses as well as tending to the needs of the community as a whole.

A statement issued by joint Chamber presidents, Pádraig Treacy and Johnny McGuire, said Tommy will be fondly remembered as a great and proud Killarney man whose knowledge of and love for the town was second to none.

“The fact that a song about Killarney was sung as his remains were carried from St Mary’s Cathedral says it all. He loved the town, he loved its people and he served them with passion, with loyalty and with great enthusiasm,” they said.

The Chamber added that Tom was always a welcoming face behind the counter of his shop, with a warm greeting and a broad smile for everybody.

He loved exchanging the news of the day and hearing how his customers and their families were getting on.

“Tommy Cronin had a wonderful, almost unique, connection with Killarney and while he will be greatly missed, so many people have very fond memories of the over-the-counter exchanges in his bustling High Street premises,” the statement added.

The Chamber expressed sympathy to Tommy’s devoted wife, Caith, their children Denis, Ríona, Patricia, James, Anthony, Will, Noel and Caroline, their spouses, his 22 grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.