The Late Jarlath Killilea The death occurred of Mr Jarlath Killilea, Head of the Department of Tourism and Catering at Cork Institute of Technology. Mr Killilea (59) was head of the Department from the mid 70s and oversaw its development from early beginnings to its current status as one of the foremost in the field of professional and craft training of personnel for the tourism, hotel and catering industries. Widely known and respected, Mr Killilea's unique personality attracted the rare combination of loyalty and respect from his staff, students and generations of graduates. He was renowned for the personal interest he took in the academic achievements of his students, and in their professional development and career success. CIT Director, Dr Patrick Kelleher, in offering condolences to his family and wide circle of friends, paid a warm tribute to Jarlath Killilea, and referred to him as a great family man, a superb academic manager, a passionate advocate of high standards to his chosen profession, but, most of all, as a truly loyal and generous friend and colleague. The Chairman of the Institute's Governing Body, Cllr. Donal O'Rourke, added his condolences saying that Mr Killilea's contribution to Tourism and Catering education, both regionally and nationally, was enormous. Jarlath's generosity was exceptional, he said, and he would be fondly missed by the family he loved and by the host of friends he cherished. A native of Tuam, son of the late Fianna Fail TD and Senator, Mark Killilea, and brother of former MEP, Minister for State, TD and Senator Mark, he had a lifelong interest in politics at every level and was well known and respected across the political spectrum. A graduate of the Shannon Hotel School, he had wide experience as a hotel manager in Ireland, Britain and Europe before heading up the development of the Department of Tourism and Catering Studies in the then newly-established Cork Regional Technical College. A former Galway minor footballer, he was the founding Chairman of the RTC Inter-Firm GAA Club, and his sporting interests not only included Gaelic games, but horse and dog racing and fly fishing were also amongst his many sporting interests. He was a member of the Board of CERT and Chairman of the National Training and Certification Board (NTCB). He also was a member of the European Rural University and of several local and national bodies active in the catering, hotel and restaurant business sectors. Courtesy of the Connacht Tribune April 2003 Tweet

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