Tipperary County Council elected members pay tribute to the late Carrie Acheson

Former TD, councillor and Mayor of Clonmel, Carrie Acheson, who died on Monday, was remembered at Tipperary County Council’s meeting on Monday as a “charismatic”, “formidable” and “incredibly positive” politician and business woman who gave great service to her community.  

A vote of sympathy was passed at the start of the  meeting to the family of the hugely popular Clonmel woman and it was followed by  the observing of a  minute of silence  by the council’s elected members. 

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Former south Tipperary TD Carrie Acheson has passed away

Served as Fianna Fáil TD and as Mayor of Clonmel in 1980s

They paid glowing tributes to the former politician, who was also a noted business woman with Barlos Farm Machinery, former president of Clonmel Horse Show & Agricultural Society, member of the National Ploughing Association and former President of the Irish Red Cross.   

Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Roger Kennedy broke the sad news of the 88-year-old’s  death at the start of the council meeting and recalled her political career which began with her election to South Tipperary County Council in 1974 and culminated with her election as a Fianna Fáil TD from June 1981 to February 1982. 

He recalled her continued prominence in the community after her political career and how even after two years of the Covid pandemic she attended last year’s National Ploughing Championship and continued her role as the event’s long time public address announcer. 

Clonmel Fine Gael Cllr John Fitzgerald said Carrie was synonymous with Clonmel and he went as far as to describe her as the town’s queen.  

“I always found her to be one of the most unique, helpful and absolutely interesting characters I  have ever come across in my life.” 

He said Carrie had a great understanding of how business was done; how to drum it up and get it over the line and she combined that business acumen with being political. 

He recalled how she went the “extra mile” to get machinery parts out to farmers needing them. 

The auctioneer said Carrie had been a great mentor to him when he first came to Clonmel to start in business and he would never forget the guidance she gave him. He   regarded her as his “surrogate mother” in Clonmel.  In politics, she was a very proud Fianna Fáil  and Old IRA Committee member and the time she invited his brother Cllr Michael Fitzgerald to give the oration at the Sean Treacy Commemoration highlighted the bi-partisan side of her politics. 

Fianna Fáil whip on council Cllr Siobhán Ambrose, like Cllr Fitzgerald knew Carrie all her life. Her father, the late Tom Ambrose, and Carrie were elected councillors to South Tipperary County Council for the  first time in 1974.  She said Carrie was a formidable woman who gave great service to her community and this was a very sad day in Clonmel.  

Cllr Ambrose fondly remembered Carrie’s love of fashion. “She always had the hat and red nails and loved scarves. She was a very stylish woman, very charismatic and outgoing and she loved meeting people.”  She also recalled Carrie’s “marvellous” penmanship at writing cards and letters.

 “She was meticulous and loved writing. There was always a card sent for this and that and at Clonmel Show time she would be sending tickets to people. She never forgot people.”  Her thoughtful cards and letters were also remembered by Independents Cllr Máirín McGrath and Cllr Richie Molloy and Fine Gael Cllr Michael Murphy, who remembered  a letter she sent after his mother’s death brought him great comfort. 

Cllr McGrath recalled the advice and words of wisdom Carrie gave her before and after her election to the council. The   council’s longest serving member, Cllr Michael Fitzgerald, recounted how Carrie invited him and another new councillor to lunch in Hearn’s Hotel on their first day on the local authority and gave them some “sound gold advice”. 

Cllr Molloy said Carrie was different to a typical politician in that she was the person you turned to for advice no matter what politics you had. He said the positivity of her nature was incredible and was illustrated by how she got on with life after suffering a serious stroke some years ago. “We certainly won’t see the likes of Carrie Acheson again,” he concluded.