Tributes have been paid to Kilmore Quay skipper and Saltee Islands tour guide Declan Bates, who died earlier this month after a short illness.
The 77-year-old skipper, who was one of the well-known Bates family of Co. Wexford, was at sea from the age of 12 when he fished with his father during the summer.
He left school at 16, determined to pursue a career at sea. He was 27 when he bought his first boat, The Marian.
He later bought Kilmore Quay’s first steel beam trawler in the Netherlands and grew the enterprise over the years.
He then ran the Three Sisters Cruise Company for many years, providing opportunities for every member of his family, including his grandchildren, who enjoyed spending time at sea with him.
He ran tours from Kilmore Quay to the Saltee Islands and from New Ross, along the River Barrow and River Suir to Waterford. This past summer, he launched the Wexford River Cruise, providing guided tours of Wexford harbour- with television presenter Dermot O’Leary among his customers.
“Declan was not only a dedicated and passionate leader, but also a cherished friend to many, ”the Three Sisters Cruise Company said.
“His kindness, hard work, and commitment touched everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him,” it said.
Among many tributes to him from environmentalists, photographers, birdwatchers and members of the marine community on rip.ie, Tony Ennis of Co. Wexford said he was “never into labels, but he was an environmentalist, a seafarer, a skipper, a visionary, successful business person, a Bates of the Quay, but above all he was a decent, proud, and committed human being who made a difference”.
Declan, whose funeral took place on December 16th, is survived by his wife Alicia, his children Sandra, Deirdre, Declan, William and Conor and siblings Trish, Eugene, Billy, Kathleen, Dick and Mag. He was pre-deceased by his brother Ray.
He is also survived by his grandchildren Chloe, Cian, Jude, Aoibh, Eoghan, Niall, Will, Isabell, Finn, Billy and Lochlan,
