merrion street

Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has described the late Con Houlihan as a giant of journalism and commentary, and has offered his condolences to his family and many friends on his passing.

Minister Deenihan has commented:

"Con Houlihan was a great sports writer who brought the game to life for his readers and was a towering figure in sports journalism for many decades. It is fair to say that he  raised the bar for sports journalism, often referencing things outside of sport - like art or literature - to add to his commentary on a particular game.

"Con was also a respected writer and critic on the arts, working with the Irish Press for many years. Though

 he had been ill in the last number of years he kept writing until very recently. 

"I personally got to know Con Houlihan when I was involved, with Maurice Healy, in the making of a documentary about him. Whilst I had always known him as sports and arts commentator, at that time I saw at first hard his warmth, wit, intellect, talent for observation, and his deep love of his native county Kerry. 

"I would like to extend my sympathies to Con's family and many friends on his passing."