Statement by President Michael D. Higgins on the death of Dr. Chris Coughlan
Date: Fri 13th Apr, 2018 | 13:42
"All of those associated with his commercial and public contribution will have been greatly saddened by the death of Dr. Chris Coughlan, a visionary and energetic man who had an exceptional impact on Galway and its people.
As former Chairperson of the Galway Chamber of Commerce, and initiator of countless Chamber initiatives, and through his involvement with the Galway Technology Centre, Dr. Chris Coughlan played a major role in the transformation of the county’s economy to one developing and nurturing technological skills. He was passionate in his support of local economic development, education and innovation in all its forms.
In a most difficult period for Galway, following the 1994 closure of Digital, Dr. Chris Coughlan was instrumental in building and strengthening Galway’s ICT and biomedical clusters, and advocating for support for start-up and small businesses across the county.
As Chairman of Galway Arts Centre he used his considerable skills and intellect to promote new initiatives such as the Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland and the Festival of Visual Arts. His contribution was a wide and energetic one.
Sabina and I express our deepest sympathies to his wife Joan, his sons and daughter and family, and to the many friends he made during his life of generous giving to so many public projects."