Tributes paid to Gearóid Lynch

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley and Chief Executive Eoin Doyle have paid tribute to Gearóid Lynch of The Olde Post Inn, who sadly passed away on Monday.

Leading the tributes, Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Paul Feeley said:

"It was with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of Gearóid Lynch. He was a proud Cavan man, a dedicated family man, and an outstanding cook and businessman.

It is testament to his warmth, charm, and drive that he – side by side with his beloved wife and business partner Tara ‒ transformed The Olde Post Inn into one of Ireland’s most popular destination restaurants, supporting dozens of local jobs, both directly and indirectly, through his steadfast promotion of local ingredients and suppliers.

Like many families in the region, we enjoyed many happy family gatherings in the Olde Post, most especially when Niamh and I had our wedding reception there in 2021. The quality of the food and the warmth and thoughtfulness of all the staff made it a perfect occasion. 

Gearóid never viewed having a restaurant in a small County Cavan village as being an impediment to his success, but rather an asset. He was a stalwart promoter of Cavan as a tourist destination, even volunteering with Fáilte Ireland as an ambassador.

His impact upon Irish food and on local tourism is enormous, the loss to his family and friends incalculable. Niamh and I would like to express our deepest condolences to Tara, to their four children, Órán, Lorcan, Emma and Eoin, his mother Maura, siblings, extended family, and his many friends and his colleagues at The Olde Post Inn.

Ní bheidh a leithid arís ann".

Chief Executive Eoin Doyle also offered his condolences, adding:

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the untimely death of Gearóid Lynch. A hugely accomplished chef, restaurateur, and author, Gearóid was a fantastic ambassador for his home county and a force for good in the world.

Always keen to pull on the blue jersey, Gearóid played a key role in in establishing Cavan as a leading Irish food destination and was central to the success of the Taste of Cavan food festivals, where I had the pleasure of working alongside him. It was truly a joy to watch him on stage in front of rapt audience, indulging his passion for promoting local food.

A fountain of enthusiasm and innovation, Gearóid always brought an infectious positivity to every challenge he met, whether it was in his work promoting gluten-free cookery, or with the bravery and stoicism with which he faced his illness in recent years. On behalf of the management and staff of Cavan County Council, I extend my most sincere sympathies to his wife Tara, their children, Órán, Lorcan, Emma and Eoin, his mother Maura, wider family, and many, many friends."

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.