The death has occurred suddenly of Mr Maurice O'Donoghue, a director of Bord Failte, managing director of the Gleneagle Hotel and Leisure Centre in Killarney, and member of Killarney UDC since 1967, writes Anne Lucey.
His most recent project was a 2,000-seat, £6 million convention and events centre opened by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, last year.
Mr O'Donoghue (62) died while preparing to play a round of golf at Macroom on Saturday.
He was a former director of elections for the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue. In a tribute yesterday the Minister described him as "King of Killarney, and a quintessential Kerryman".
The Minister for Tourism, Dr McDaid, said tourism nationally had recently had the benefit of his innovative ideas.
Mr O'Donoghue is survived by his mother Sheila, his wife Margaret, and their seven children and grandchildren.
