A book of condolences in memory of Billy Lawless, Freeman of Galway City, former senator and oarsman has been opened by Mayor of Galway Peter Keane.
Mayor Keane has expressed his “deepest condolences” to Billy Lawless’s family after his death last Thursday, November 7th.
A city council ordinary meeting agenda was adjourned yesterday as a mark of respect to the former senator.
A founding member of Tribesmen Rowing Club (RC), he rowed with Coláiste Iognáid or “the Jes”, University College, Galway, Galway Rowing Club and Tribesmen and was a member of the Irish national rowing squad.
He won a gold medal with Tribesmen RC in 1987 at the World Masters’ Regatta in Sweden.
Mayor Peter Keane opens book of Condolences for Billy Lawless RIP in Galway
Mayor Keane said that as a native of Dangan, Billy Lawless played an important role in the civic, political and social life of Galway city and his adopted home in the city of Chicago, where he moved in the 1980s.
“Billy Lawless served the Irish people as a senator from 2016-2020, and likewise in the United States, championing immigration reform and the case of the 50,000 undocumented Irish men and women living in limbo in the United States,”he said.
“As Vice Chairman of Galway/Chicago Sister Cities Committee, Billy was instrumental in nurturing the Chicago-Galway Twinning relationship, and in supporting the Circle of Life Garden in Salthill,”he said.
While he became a citizen of the United States in July 2014, he remains always of Galway – the 29th Freeman of the City, a friend of the city, and a one of our own,”he said.
“When he was honoured with the status of Freeman of the City of Galway in May 2015, Billy spoke of how easy it was to be an ambassador for Galway - delivering milk with his father to the restaurants and hotels, rowing up and down the river Corrib more times than he could care to remember, milking cows at family lands across from Menlo Castle,”Mayor Keane said.
“From simple beginnings, Billy found himself included in a club of people who have had a profound and positive influence in the world in which we live – joining the list of Freemen of Galway City that includes Douglas Hyde, Eamon deValera, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Michael D Higgins and President John Fitzgerald Kennedy among others,”he said.
“Over the coming days, Billy Lawless will be rightly celebrated for his achievements in Galway, in Ireland and in Chicago – thank you Billy for your service, your commitment to the undocumented, and for your continued friendship with the people of Galway city,”he said.
In a Facebook post, Tribesmen RC said that it was “with shock and sadness that we learned of the passing of Billy Lawless”
“Billy’s friend, fellow founding member, and crew mate of many years Jim Silke shared the following with us yesterday, and we want to share this with you,”it said.
“Billy was one of the founding members of Tribesmen RC in Dec 1976. It was Billy that sourced the old pram paint shop that became our club premises. Billy was a key member of Tribesmen in those early days,” Jim Silke said.
“He “convinced” various tradesmen and suppliers to give of their time and goods free of charge as we converted the paint shop into a clubhouse,”he said, recalling his very successful rowing career.
“Billy’s heart was always in rowing. He rowed, coached and fundraised. He secured major sponsorship for the Tribesmen Head of the River for over ten years and raised the profile of the Head to a major national event. He was very well respected throughout the Irish rowing community,”he said.
“Billy was a very successful businessman and traded in several pubs in Galway. Approximately 25 years ago he moved to Chicago and there with his family has built up a chain of five restaurants. Billy was a friend of Barack and Michelle Obama and was a regular in the White House on St Patrick’s Day,”he said.
“Billy was also a senator in Seanad Éireann. Billy was a great “character”. We had many happy days/ nights in his company over the years,”Jim Silke added.
“ Billy’s health in recent years was not great. In July this year he managed to get a paddle in the Red 5 on a few occasions. It meant the world to him. We had planned a few more but sadly it won’t happen,”he said.
Tribesmen RC extended its deepest sympathies to Anne, his wife , Billy Jnr, Clodagh, Amy and John Paul.
“Thank you Billy on behalf of all of us who have rowed from this club.
For the laughter, the love, the joy, and the grace,
We give thanks for the light that you brought to this place,”the post concluded.
The Book of Condolences will remain open until December 2nd, 2024 and is available online, and in hard copy in Galway City Hall during normal opening hours.
