Sean Kinsella Dies at 81

Restaurateur Sean Kinsella, renowned creator of the Mirabeau Restaurant in Glasthule, Dublin  has died aged 81.

Originally from Cooraclare, Co Clare, Sean  moved to Dublin when an infant and grew up on the northside on Clonliffe Road near Croke Park.

His career took him to some of Dublin’s most famous kitchens and around the world as executive chef on cruise liners. His reputation extended to the US and he was well-known in New York and received an honorary doctorate from Boston University.

But he is best known for the Mirabeau, which he opened in Sandycove in 1974 and ran with his wife Audrey.

It was known for its outstanding culinary reputation and as the eatery of choice for international stars including Peter Ustinov, Michael Caine, Fred Astaire and Richard Burton.

His funeral Mass is tomorrow at St Anne’s Church, Shankill, with burial afterwards in St Fintan’s Cemetery, Sutton, Co Dublin.

Pakey Heads Shannon Airport

The former Managing Director of Liverpool's John Lennon Airport has been appointed chief executive of Shannon Airport Authority.

Neil Pakey will take up the Shannon Airport position next month for a three year term.

The 52 year-old Scot was previously deputy chief executive of Peel Airports, the owner of a number of UK airports including John Lennon in Liverpool.

Mr Pakey will take over a Shannon Airport which, since New Year's Day, has been fully independent and debt-free following its separation from the Dublin Airport Authority. Shannon has suffered a 60% fall in passenger numbers over the past five years and has been loss-making since 2008.