Michael Dennehy, the well-known public relations consultant, has died.
He was 61 and had been ill for a number of months. Mr Dennehy died yesterday at Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross, Dublin.
Mr Dennehy was best known for his work with Waterford Crystal and Waterford Wedgwood where he provided corporate consultancy advice for over 37 years until the crystal manufacturer entered administration on January 5th this year.
He grew up in Dublin and was educated at Gormanston College in Co Meath and University College Dublin before following in the footsteps of his father, Tim, in carving out a career in public relations.
Those who worked with Mr Dennehy described him as “highly professional, hard-working and totally hands-on” and that “no job was too big or too small” for him and his team at Dennehy Associates. Another said he “always provided the wisest of wise counsel”.
Among his more notable projects was running the press office set up for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland in 1979.
Other clients included the Irish Medical Organisation, the Rose of Tralee Festival, Irish Steel and the Department of Education.
Redmond O'Donoghue, former chief executive of the Waterford Wedgwood knew Mr Dennehy for over 35 years and worked with him for 25 of those.
“He was a class act, a legend in the world of PR. An honourable, understanding and wise advisor. And he remained hands-on right to the end,” Mr O'Donoghue said.
Mr Dennehy is survived by his son Tim.