Brendan Halligan

Deepest sympathies to the Halligan family. Brendan was a committed European and his legacy will live on through the IIEA. We will miss his enthusiasm and creativity.

Deepest sympathy to one of the greats of our times.

Brendan's likes come but once in a lifetime.

May he rest in peace.

Having learnt of the sad passing of Brendan Halligan, the German Embassy would like to offer its sincere condolences on his loss to his family, friends as well as to his colleagues at the IIEA; it has lost its very apt founder and President, who led the IIEA with so much inspiration and initiative and acted as a great European.

Dear Aoife and family
I was so sorry to hear of your loss.
Anne T (Oireachtas L&RS)

I am so sad to learn of Brendan s passing.My admiration for this man is boundless and I always looked forward to our meetings .He was a wonderful mentor and the most unassuming man that you would ever meet.I will miss Brendan and particularly his love of a glass or two of a good wine còupled to wonderfull conversation
Brendan will be a great loss to his family /friends & his business associates but mostly by his beloved IRELAND
R.I.P. Brendan

Ray Leavy
(Athlone )

Deeply sorry to hear Brendan's passing way. May he rest in peace. Condolences to Brendan's family from my self and the little kitchen restaurant team.

Sincere sorrow at your family's loss. Brendan was a 'one of a kind' who argued passionately for issues that mattered. His work with the IIEA and on successive referenda was really impressive.

Sincere sympathies to the Halligan family. I remember Brendan for his geniality, inspiration and encouragement to the young (ish) to have their voice in the IEA. Always a listener. May he rest in peace.

I am deeply saddened by the news of Brendan's passing. I had the great pleasure of working with Brendan when he was the Chairman of SEAI. He left a lasting impression. Brendan was an inspiring and exceptional Chairman and it was a privilege to have known him. He was a wonderful human being and I'm sure his passing will be greatly felt by his family and close friends. My heartfelt condolences.

My condolences to all in the Halligan family on Brendan's death. I had the privilege of working with Brendan during the most recent European referendums, his passion for this country and our place in a shared continent was an inspiration.

my deepest sympathy to all of the family I got to know Brendan on his many trips to the National concert hall with Maggie and Mr and Mrs O she. A gentleman and a scholar who always was so nice to me. Even loved bag of chips on the way home RIP BRENDAN I am honoured to have met you

Very sorry to hear of Brendan’s passing. I have known him and been friendly with him
for decades. A great man and a huge loss. Deepest sympathy to his wife and family

Brendan had a full and productive life. His vision of a think-tank and locus for national debate on European and international affairs was a brilliant one, which he turned into vibrant reality through tireless efforts. The key to this success was his open-minded and generous approach to understanding what inspired and motivated others. He will be greatly missed.

Dear Grainne and family my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your father an amazing man - a loss to us all.

Sincere sympathy to the Halligan family Brendan was a great Irishman and a great European I admires him enormously

My condolences to the Halligan family at their sad loss. A patient man, especially with those less gifted, Brendan shared his exceptional knowledge and wisdom willingly. I remember fondly the short times we spent together; I was proud to call him my friend.

Brendan A gifted and inclusive gentleman , interesting to everyone and interested in everyone . May He Rest in Peace.

Fergal, so sorry for your loss, we are thinking of you and your family.

My deepest sympathies to the Halligan family. Brendan was one of those very special people who will never be forgotten. His legacy to politics and public life in Ireland, including the setting up of the IIEA, is exceptional. His leadership in the EU referendum campaigns was, for me, a particular highlight. We shall never see his likes again. May he RIP.

Deepest Condolences from Finbar Hanratty ex Rialto and Templeogue.

Brendan, you were an inspiration to so many. Your dedication and wisdom were of such great assistance for the cause of Ireland in Europe, and for the cause of a unified Europe. I am proud to have known you and to have served under your leadership. Your memory will live long and you will be spoken about with kind words and admiration for many years. You achieved so much, and all of that in the public service. I am sad today to hear that you have left us, but I will always be proud that I knew you. Fergal

Sincere condolences to all Brendan's family, especially Aoife, whom I worked with briefly in the Oireachtas research section some years ago. I feel lucky to have known and worked with Brendan in the IIEA for almost two years and to have remained in contact afterwards, including latterly in his French group. Brendan was a tremendously wise man when it came to European integration - he was someone I always took especial care to listen to because what he had to say and write was always worth hearing: he was a great Irishman and a great European, and not just a thinker but a man of action too, who was certain of Ireland's European vocation and made a real difference in helping to make it a reality. At a more personal level, Brendan also showed me kindness and support on a number of occasions. The Institute, which does great work, will be an important part of his great legacy. Mo chomhbhrón dhaoibh uile agus ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Brendan, an old friend of the Chinese people and my mentor, will live forever! 中国人民的老朋友，我的良师益友布莱顿永垂不朽！

Brendan, an old friend of the Chinese people and my mentor, will live forever! 中国人民的老朋友，我的良师益友布莱顿永垂不朽！

Thank you for streaming the funeral. Brendan will be so greatly missed. He aided so many people and is a great loss to both Ireland and the wider European community. He had a such a positive impact on my life and the lives of so many others.

Deepest sympathies to the Halligan family on Brendan's passing. It was a pleasure to work in the IIEA under Brendan's stewardship. He has left behind a great legacy.

I shall be ever grateful to Brendan for getting me involved in the work of the IIEA. The Institute is perhaps the greatest of his many outstanding contributions to public life in Ireland, Europe and the world. What a legacy! What a man! He has earned his place in eternity. Condolences to his loved ones.

Rembered with gratitude. Requiescat in pacem

Deepest sympathies to the Halligan family,he was a great servant of ireland

Deepest sympathies to the Halligan family on the very sad passing of Brendan. He was an intellectual giant on European issues and a committed European. It was a privilege to know him and enjoy his company. He also was key to the successful passing of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009 and his initiative on the French Reflection Group was timely with the benefits of that focus now begining to emerge. He will be sorely missed. RIP Brendan

I was deeply saddened to hear of Brendan's death. As a young person interested in European politics, as a researcher at the IIEA and a campaigner for many EU referenda, Brendan was a source of inspiration and wisdom. Over and above his sharp intellect, he had a huge heart, a sly sense of humour and a zest for life which endeared him to all who encountered him. He always had a kind and encouraging word every time I met him and his contribution to Irish public life will be deeply missed.

Heartfelt sympathies to Aoife and the whole Halligan family on your loss.

Brendan made a great contribution to public life in Ireland and the EU. The IIEA is a great legacy, where he brought together the public and private sectors to study and discuss current issues. A phone call from Brendan suggesting something that you might contribute at the IIEA could not be ignored! We will all miss him.

Brendan was a committed European before it was either popular or profitable and remained so through many twists and turns in Ireland's relationship with the EU. With the IIEA, he provided a much needed space and place where new ideas could be explored and debated, and diverse opinions encouraged. Brendan ensured that open and frank discussion was the order of the day.

It was a privilege to know Brendan and to have had the opportunity to learn from him. My sincere condolences to his family.

Dear Margie, Grainne, Fergal and Aoife,
We are so sorry that you have to experience such a great loss at a time when family are restricted from supporting you.

The service today was an uplifting tribute to Brendan and we are sure he would be so proud of you all.

We hope that time eases the pain of your loss.

Thank you to the Halligan family for live-streaming Brendan’s funeral which allowed us to say our good byes to a wonderful friend, mentor & fellow traveller. The ceremony was beautiful -it captured Brendan perfectly. My heart goes out to all of the family for the loss of Brendan. He will be sorely missed.

Sincere sympathy to the Halligan family on the death of Brendan RIP.

I am deeply saddened by the death of Brendan, my colleague and good friend. I wish to offer my condolences & those of my friend Simona Felea to you his family and am sorry that we cannot do so in person. He was a brilliant Chair of SEAI where I really got to know him well. We worked together since then on offshore wind. His great quote will stand the test of time:
"Wind is the new grass".
Rest in peace my friend.

Sincerest sympathies to the Halligan family on your loss

We were very sad to hear of the passing of your Dad, Fergal. Our thoughts are with you and all your family at this difficult time.

Dear Margie and family,
Times like these are difficult and heartrending. I cannot imagine what you all must be feeling. Please allow me to extend to you all my sincerest heartfelt condolences on the death of Brendan. He was an inspiration, admired and respected. My thoughts are with you and your family during this very sad time.
Janice

My heartfelt and deepest sympathies for your loss. You will all be in my prayers at this sad time. May Brendan rest in peace.

I am greatly saddened to hear of
Brendan Halligan’s death . Brendan was an inspiration to all of us who knew him . He was a pioneer , a visionary and committed European. Brendan had a major impact and contributed so much to Irish society . The IIEA was a significant part of his legacy . I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his wife ,Margie , his family , friends and all involved in the IIEA. May he rest in peace

Sincere sympathy to Margie and family on Brendan's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sincere condolences

Our deepest condolences to Margie and family on the loss of Brendan. May he rest in peace.

To Margie and family
So sorry to hear about Brendan’s death . Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

My sincere condolences to Mrs. Halligan and family on the sad passing of Brendan. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

I am greatly saddened by the death of Brendan Halligan. This is a big loss for our country, for the Labour Party, the IIEA, the Ireland China Institute, and the European Union for which he was a consistent advocate. But most of all, I have lost a friend. I will always remember his sharp intellect; his understanding of history, especially of the Labour movement; his deep political analysis; his quick wit and his sense of fun.
My deepest sympathy to Margie and family.
Ni bheidh a leithead ann aris.
Eamon Gilmore

I am deeply saddened to learn of Brendan's death. I first met Brendan during the 1976 by-election and, although we were involved in different political parties, we became good friends. Over the years I was involved with him on a number of projects, for example, when, as Chairman of Bord na Mona he commissioned the Irish Productivity Center to do a study of industrial relations in the Bord, a project which I undertook reporting directly to Brendan and the board. Later, when he proposed to set up the IEA (now IIEA) I became one of the first members and invited him to speak to the staff of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (EUROFOUND) on his vision for the future of the EU.

Indeed, he was a man of great vision, ideas and energy and his many achievements will remain as his legacy in Irish and EU public life for many years to come.

An chuid eile i síocháin agus ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Deepest sympathy to Brendan’s wife Margie, his children Gráinne, Fergal and Aoife and the wider Halligan family.
Brendan has made a major contribution to the social, economic and political development of Ireland over a period of 50 years and more.
In creating the IEA (now the IIEA) he created a powerhouse of debate which influenced the formulation and implementation of Government policies in Ireland and in international affairs -particularly at EU level. IIEA publications, policy work groups, public lectures and events provided valuable information and analyses for citizens and for policymakers.
I was privileged to have been asked by Brendan to chair the Ireland-US policy group when I retired as CEO of Forfás in 2002 and previous to that to make presentations to IEA/IIEA policy groups on the evolution of industrial policy in Ireland in the 1990s, on the establishment of the National Competitiveness Council by Forfás in 1997 ,the Future Skills Group in 1995 and of Science Foundation Ireland in 1999. The debates that ensued were valuable catalysts for policy development in all those area. Our country owes much to Brendan.
May you rest lightly and at peace Brendan.

Sincere sympathy to the Halligan family on the death of Brendan.

My sympathy to Brendan’s family. He was an inspiration to many of us, in the Labour Party and latterly in the IIEA. We will not see his like again.

Our condolences to the Halligan family and the IIEA on Brendan’s passing. He was a great European and his unending courtesy was appreciated by all the IFA Reps who came into contact with him. RIP.

Brendan and a few friends established the IEA (now IIEA) in 1990 to provide a forum to reflect on and to debate European and international issues. He persuaded some rather nervous civil servants (including me) to face questioning from interested individuals on current developments in Europe and beyond. We found we could survive. We even found that we learned from the experience. Since then the Institute has gone on to be an essential forum and policy think tank and is one of many legacies that Brendan leaves to Irish public life. I benefited from knowing Brendan. His great strength was his willingness to treat European issues as a challenge and not a threat and to seek ways of fitting an approach to Irish needs.

My deepest sympathy to the Halligan family on their great loss.

Noel Fahey

Deepest sympathy to Brendan’s wife and family. Brendan was a very influential and inspirational chairman and I was privileged to serve with him. Ar Dreis De go raibh a anam dills

I had the fortune of voyaging once with Brendan to the Holy Land. I enjoyed his charm, wit and many tales. His indefatigable energy and legacy of achievements were an inspiration. Fare thee well now Brendan on this the saddest of journeys.

Very sorry to hear of Brendan's passing. He was a great champion of everything to do with the rich literary and cultural heritage of our 'Island of Saints and Scholars'. He will be sorely missed. Beannacht Dé ar a anam dílis.

Brendan was a tremendous mentor and those of us who had the privilege to know him will take inspiration from the honest manner in which he avowed his principles and his dedication to public life. Tá sé imithe ar shlí na fírinne; ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Deepest sympathy to the Halligan family

Sincere condolences to all of his friends and family. His exceptional contribution will not be forgotten. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.