Tributes pour in for well-known former Wexford politician Michael D’Arcy

Michael was the beloved husband of Marie and loving father of Jude, Liam, Michael and the late Shirley and brother of Peggy, Emily, Nora, Frank and the late Jim.

A staunch Fine Gael man, Michael had a long and prolific career in politics and was a member of Dail Éireann, Seanad Éireann, Wexford County Council and Gorey Town Council.

Former politician and Irish broadcaster Ivan Yates served in the Oireachtas with Michael D’Arcy for nearly 20 years and always found him to be a very committed and hard-working public representative.

"He always worked in the best interest of the people of Wexford, the farmers of Wexford in particular. He was always passionately loyal to Fine Gael. He really soldiered with Lorcan Allen and the Esmondes for many years back in the day. He led the charge for Fine Gael having one seat to having three seats in the constituency and he deserves enormous credit for that.”

Ivan remembers Michael having a passion for politics and public service. “He certainly leaves behind him a legacy in Wexford of many development projects. As Minister and TD, he was always looking to pioneer projects and trying to promote economic development in the private and public sector, I remember the meat factory in Camolin and the mushroom factory in Gorey.”

“I always found him to be a politician to his fingertips, he loved it, he loved the people side of it and he never took himself too seriously. He was a team-player and a very genuine guy,” said Ivan.

Fine Gael TD Paul Kehoe worked with Michael for years and remembers that he was hugely respected by the people of County Wexford.

"What got me was, he was hugely respected by his fellow TDs and Senators in Fine Gael, right across county lines. He delivered and worked tirelessly for the people of County Wexford, he immersed himself in politics, not only himself but also the D’Arcy family for many years.”

"The fruits of his labours can be seen right across north county Wexford, he was a public servant to his fingernails, the constituent came first and that’s the way it was. He never forgot the Fine Gael organisation, he was always very committed and he never let the party down,” said Paul.

Senator Malcolm Byrne had the privilege of serving with Michael on the the old Gorey Town Council and remembers him to have had a deep passion for his community and for politics.

"You might have a disagreement with him at a meeting but it was never personal and after the meeting, he would always chat and talk and stay on good terms. My deepest sympathies to his wife, Marie, his children and grandchildren and to his extended family.“

Councillor Joe Sullivan said he knew Michael for 40 years and said he was an exceptional politician.

"He was a man that made an enormous contribution to the Wexford constituency and particularly the north Wexford area of Gorey. He went through all the roles of politics from Councillor, Senator, TD and to Junior Ministry level.”

"In that time, he worked very hard for it for the people of Wexford and indeed of Ireland. He was an excellent politician and had a huge grasp of the issues affecting the people,” said Cllr Sullivan.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin also extended his condolences to Marie, Michael, Jude and Liam at this sad time. He grew up up the road from the D'Arcys and shared the same desk as Michael Junior in Ballythomas National School and his late father Pat, also went to school with Michael Senior.

"Mick was one of the longest serving public representatives in Ireland and did considerable good. He achieved a lot for his parish and the Gorey District in general. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."

The impact Michael has had throughout his life on his local community as well as the wider area of Wexford was evident on RIP.ie as many mourners paid tribute to him.

One mourner wrote: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Michael. Simply put, Michael served his people, his local area, his county and his country with great distinction and total commitment. Our deepest sympathies go out to Michael's wife, children, grandchildren and extended family on this very sad occasion. R.I.P. Michael, you certainly did your bit.”

Another mourner wrote: “It’s with sadness I read of Michael’s death. I had the privilege as did my father Pat Joe to serve with him in the Dail, he was such a hardworking, honourable, caring and decent man whom worked tirelessly for his county and country.”

“He was much loved, and did so much for his town and for the wider county over a long career. On a personal level, whenever we met in Gorey or Courtown, we always had time for a chat. He always kept his ear to the ground and always had great insight into the political and social issues of the day."

Michael was born on March 7, 1934 and began his career in politics in 1958, when he was co-opted to his Wexford County Council seat, following the death of his father Timothy D’Arcy.

Michael served in this seat for the next 15 years and then went on to serve as a TD and Minister of State in several governments. In 1981, he was appointed Minister of State for Agriculture and Minister of State at the Department of Fisheries and Forestry and at the Department of the Gaeltacht in 1982.

He was dismissed in February 1986 but then regained his seat in the Dáil three years later. In 1992, he was elected to the 20th Seanad on the Agricultural Panel.

He returned to the Dáil in 1997 and remained there for the next five years. In 1999, he was elected to Gorey Town Council for the first time and was elected Chairman of Gorey Town Council in 2012.

The following year, he was re-elected to the position and chaired the last ever meeting of Gorey Town Council in May 2014 at the Market House.

His son Michael also entered politics and also served as a TD and Senator during his political career.

Michael Senior passed away surrounded by his family, in the care of nurses and staff at Oakfield Nursing Home, Courtown.

He is deeply regretted by his wife, sons, daughter, brother, sisters, grandchildren Alex, Aoife, Ashley, Bill, Siobhan, Marie, Judith, Paddy, Catherine, Luke and Alyssa, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

His funeral mass will take place at 11a.m. on Friday, May 3 at St. Peter and Paul's Church Kilanerin.