Lar Cassidy, literature officer of the Arts Council and assistant registrar of Aosdana, died on Wednesday night after a long illness. He was 47. Mr Cassidy began his career at the Arts Council in 1980 and most recently was director of the "Ireland and Its Diaspora" festival, the international celebration of Irish literature at the Frankfurt Book Festival last year.
"In the passing of Lar, the arts have lost a passionate and tireless advocate, and all close to him have lost an irreplaceable friend," said Dr Ciaran Benson, chairman of the Arts Council. "He had a level of generosity and positiveness unsullied right to the end."
Ms Patricia Quinn, director of the Arts Council, paid tribute to Mr Cassidy's "direct and positive approach" to his work.
Mr Cassidy, who was from Dublin, worked assiduously and with untiring enthusiasm during his time as literature officer. He served as director of the prestigious Dublin International Writers' Festivals of 1988, 1991 and 1993. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Irish Writers' Centre and the Ireland Literature Exchange.
He initiated the strategic assessment of Irish publishing which resulted in the publication of the Coopers and Lybrand report, The Future of the Irish Book Publish- ing Industry in 1995. "He was always pushing to develop Irish publishing," said Dr Benson.
"Jazz, poetry and current affairs were Lar's passions," said Dr Benson. "His values were unashamedly those of a 1960s liberal. His heart was always with the community." As part of the community arts portfolio which Mr Cassidy held for many years, he was involved with the publication of the ACE report, Art and the Ordinary, a benchmark publication in the development of community arts practice. He was also instrumental in the establishment of important community arts organisations such as CAFE and Macnas.
Mr Cassidy is survived by his wife, Lynne Stewart, and his two daughters, Polly and Meg. A cremation service will take place at Glasnevin Cemetery at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday.