Harry Lynch, man who led development of tourism in midlands and east region

The man who spearheaded the development of tourism in the midlands and east coast over five decades, Harry Lynch of Prospect, Mullingar, passed away peacefully on October 3, aged 87 years. Harry put the Lakelands and the historic sites of the midlands and the east coast firmly on the tourism map and left a lasting legacy.

The late Mr Lynch was a native of Virginia, County Cavan. In his early career, he worked for Thomas Cooke Travel and TWA (Trans World Airlines) in New York before returning to Ireland in 1961 to study Economics at UCD. He graduated at the age of 26 and got married the following year to Ferga, his wife of 60 years.

When they married, the couple moved to Mullingar and Harry took up employment with Lakeland Tourism, as it was then known, as projects and facilities officer. He was appointed regional manager of the East Coast and Midlands Regional Tourism Authority in 1971, and became the youngest regional manager in the country at the time. He remained in that post until his retirement in 2003.

The large gathering of friends, family and colleagues that turned out for Harry’s retirement function in the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar, was testament to the high esteem and regard in which he was held.

Norman Black, then senior tourism officer with the East Coast and Midlands Regional Tourism Authority, paid tribute to Harry at the function. He said that Harry had made an immense contribution to tourism at local, regional and national level, and he would be greatly missed by all his colleagues and friends.

During his tenure at the helm, major changes took place in tourism and the industry expanded enormously. Harry was deeply involved in all aspects of tourism development and promotion, including the administration of several grant schemes which played an important part in developing the region’s tourism infrastructure. He was also involved in the development of Ireland’s first National Forest Park at Lough Key.

In 1990, Harry oversaw the successful amalgamation of the East Coast and Midlands Region. In 1993, when the regional tourism organisations were abolished, Harry played a key role in the successful campaign to have this decision reversed.

Outside of work, Harry’s main interests were his family and fishing. He fished on every lake in the midlands but his favourite was Lough Owel. He also had a great interest in the environment and was always conscious of protecting the rivers and lakes. In later years he played golf in Mullingar.

Harry was always keenly interested in travel, in his job and in his leisure time. He travelled all over Ireland in his capacity as national president of Skål International, a group that connects travel and tourism professionals around the world. Before being appointed to that role, Harry was president of Lakelands Skål. It was a big part of his life during his working years.

Harry and Ferga have four children – Fiona Hunt, Mullingar, David, Cork, Mark, Ennis, and Conor, Amsterdam, and eight grandchildren – Jennifer, Lara, Dylan, Caoimhe, Isabel, Éabha, Claudine, and Frank. Harry was a family man and was always engaged in what his children and grandchildren were doing. He was also close to his sisters Marie, his twin, and Alice, and his brothers Noel and Bernard.

Harry will be fondly remembered by his family, including his son-in-law John, daughter-in-law Christine, grandson-in-law Séamus, brothers-in-law Gerry and Toss, sisters-in-law Breda and Julia, nieces, nephews, and the many friends whose lives he touched.

He reposed at the chapel at Newbrook Nursing Home. Funeral Mass was in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, followed by burial in Marlinstown Cemetery. The large crowds at Harry’s obsequies was further testament to the high esteem and affection in which he was held.