Former Lord Mayor of Dublin Michael Conaghan dies aged 81

Labour politician Michael Conaghan served as Lord Mayor of Dublin from June 2004 to June 2005 and represented Dublin South-Central as a TD from 2011 to 2016

News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 17:16, 05 Aug 2026 View Image Former Lord Mayor and Labour TD Michael Conaghan

Former Lord Mayor of Dublin Michael Conaghan has died aged 81.

The current Lord Mayor Daryl Barron has expressed his sadness at the death of Labour politician Mr Conaghan, who served as Lord Mayor from June 2004 to June 2005. Originally from County Donegal, Mr Conaghan lived in Ballyfermot and served as a TD for Dublin South-Central from 2011 to 2016.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Conaghan. On behalf of Dublin City Council , I extend my sincere sympathies to his family, friends and former colleagues. Michael served Dublin with distinction as a Councillor, Lord Mayor and TD, and made a significant contribution to public life over many years. He will be remembered with respect and appreciation for his dedicated service to the city and its people. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,” Lord Mayor Barron said.

Before entering public life, Mr Conaghan worked as a teacher and later as Vice-Principal at Inchicore College of Further Education. He was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1991 to represent the Ballyfermot Ward.

Channelling his career in education, Mr Conaghan referenced James Joyce Ulysses when he took up the mantle of Lord Mayor on solstice day, June 21, 2004, which he then described as “a day of magic from ancient Celtic times”.

Mr Conaghan’s tenure as Lord Mayor was followed by the late Fine Gael politician Catherine Byrne and then Independent Councillor Vincent Jackson, a succession that saw Ballyfermot residents representing Dublin city for three years running.

Labour Cllr Dermot Lacey expressed his condolences on the death of his party colleague. "He was a really honourable colleague when he was on the council with me. He was an extraordinary hard worker, and his commitment to Inchicore and Ballyfermot was striking. He was massively in favour of education as being the way out of poverty for people. He was just a really nice, committed guy," Cllr Lacey told Dublin Live.

"He was originally part of Jim Kemmy's Democratic Socialist Party. The people in the DSP were an exceptional group - integrity just oozed out of them. Michael was somebody who was steadfastly opposed to violence and stood for a more pluralist Ireland.

"I know that he probably enjoyed his time on the council more than he enjoyed his time in the Dáil. I think he found the Dáil was less immediate, whereas he was happier engaging on the day-to-day issues as a councillor.

"My deepest sympathy goes to his wife Marian, who was really his rock. They were very much a partnership team."

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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