Tributes have been paid to the late Seán Coyne, a very prominent local businessman, who passed away last Friday.

The popular Mr Coyne was best known for his auctioneering and hotel businesses, but he also laid the foundation for what is now known as Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.

He was also a hugely charitable man and was a founding member of Kerry Parents and Friends.

In sporting circles he was a life long member of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club and served as its captain on two occasions.

“We are heart broken at the loss of our adored Dad and husband, and he has left a gaping hole in our lives as well as our hearts, not to mention the huge boots he has left for us to collectively fill. We will do our best,” his daughter Tracy told the Killarney Advertiser.

Sean’s requiem Mass took place on Bank Holiday Monday and was led by his brother, Fr Joe Coyne and concelebrated by Sean’s lifelong friends Fr Tom Clancy, and Bishop Bill Murphy alongside Frs. Kieran O’Brien, Paddy O’Donoghue, Tom Kearney and Tom Looney.

During the service Fr. Tom talked about Sean’s life achievement: “The connections he made, always in unity with his family, and the gentle and thoughtful space that Sean and Frankie created for their children, grandchildren and others, how Sean’s generosity of spirit and magnanimity were always evident in how he treated people.”

Fr Joe said “He thought big, there is no doubt about that, even from a youngster. I recall a time I received a green pound note, twenty whole shillings, in a letter home from his big brother 60 years ago after Sean left home to take up his first job delivering fruit. That was typical of Sean, a symbol from the very beginning of his working life, of his generosity towards others, the essence of Sean was that he always had the spirit and imagination to make things happen, to draw other people into his plans and projects.

Tony Darmody, former CEO of Kerry Parents and Friends said: “His wonderful leadership skills were so important and his business acumen helped to build the organisation into what it is today. Sean always had a great attitude and if he could ever do something to help then he would do it. He lived by the motto that if you haven’t anything good to say, then say nothing.”

Sean’s particular talent was to galvanise people into action and he was instrumental in the founding of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and he successfully convinced Bertie Ahern’s government to hold a Cabinet meeting in Killarney to show that the town was open for business following the Foot and Mouth crisis in 2001,

“To say Sean Coyne did Killarney some service is a huge understatement. He was a larger than life personality with a great business acumen and his passing certainly marks the end of an era for Killarney,” said Niall Kelleher, president of the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.

Sporting Life

Sean was a great golfer himself, and as a 14 year old won his first Captain’s Prize in his home club, Ballina

As a member of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club for 60 years, Sean represented Killarney in South, West and East of Ireland Championships, the Irish  Championship and he brought home the All-Ireland Barton Shield in 1980 with team mates Michael Guerin, James Loughnane, Arthur Spring, Brian Mulcahy and Derry Pine.

Having won the Dutch Amateur Open in the early 1990’s and shot no less than eleven Holes-in-One during his lifetime, Sean always considered his greatest golfing achievement was going on to represent Ireland as an International for seven consecutive years.

Sean’s fellow golf club members honoured their fallen colleague with a Guard of Honour which escorted Sean on his final journey from St Mary’s Cathedral as a still silence fell over the streets of his beloved Killarney.

The esteem he was held by employees was evident on Monday as Sean’s remains paused outside the International Hotel where a Guard of Honour comprising over a hundred staff stood in silence, before breaking into a resounding round of applause in a moving and heartfelt tribute to ‘The Boss’.

He will be sorely missed by his wife Frankie, daughters Lynda, Vicki, Tracy and Tanya and grandchildren Conor, Ana, Evie, Seán, Grace, Lucy Jayne, Rory, Max, Brían and Emily.