MINISTER OF State for Fisheries Tony Killeen has led tributes to the late Damien Ó Ceallacháin, one of the pioneers of the Irish aquaculture industry, who died suddenly in Connemara this week.
Mr Ó Ceallacháin, chairman of the Irish Salmon Growers’ Association, was a “very positive, constructive and amiable advocate” for the salmon farming industry, Mr Killeen said.
Describing him as a “father figure” in Irish aquaculture, Mr Killeen said he had always retained his enthusiasm and belief that the industry had “great potential to create further employment and wealth along the western seaboard”, and he expressed condolences to his family.
Irish Farmers’ Association president Pádraig Walshe described Mr Ó Ceallacháin as a “leader, mentor and friend” to the industry, and the fish farming community felt “shock, deep sadness and loss” at his sudden passing. Mr Ó Ceallacháin (61), director of Muir Gheal Teo organic fish farm in Lettermore, Co Galway, spearheaded salmon farming projects in Cill Chiaráin and Bertrach Buí bays.
IFA aquaculture executive secretary Richie Flynn described him as a “proud employer of 60 people in the Gaeltacht region” who “showed huge commitment to community development and to the Irish language”.
Mr Ó Ceallacháin is survived by his wife Joan, and his children Michael, Muireann, Cliodhna and Eve Anne. His funeral takes place tomorrow in Lettermore.
