Full coverage: Obituary

Keith Ryan was a trusted advisor to some of Ireland’s most accomplished leaders and families, but he never saw them merely as clients—he treated them as friends. His passing came far too soon.

Serial entrepreneur John Purdy was remembered at his funeral today as a loving husband, father and uncle. He was a “trailblazer” in business who could not have done it without his wife Audrey.

Simon Coveney and industry and non-profit leaders remember John Mullins as an entrepreneur with a passion for public service, always ready to don the green jersey — or that of Cork.

Gerry Maguire built the Laurence Town Centre in Drogheda at a cost of €120m, supporting hundreds of jobs. A religious man who passed away in recent days, he was one of a group of developers assembled to try to save Anglo Irish Bank.

Over this holiday period, it is impossible not to reflect upon the legacy of our late colleague Tommie Gorman. He was one of a number of major public figures who died this year, many of whom we remembered in The Currency.

Passing away last week at 92, the Limerick-raised entrepreneur, actor and writer leaves behind a legacy of helter-skelter mischief-making, high wit and a life well lived.

Bruton's Rainbow Coalition laid the foundations of the Good Friday Agreement and cemented Ireland’s position as the poster child of the EU. The late Taoiseach came into his own on the world stage.

Lady Chryss O’Reilly, a successful equine businesswoman, has died at 73. She was the wife of Tony O'Reilly, one of Ireland's most iconic business leaders. The heiress of a Greek shipping family contributed to Ireland in business, philanthropy and the equine industry.

A titan of the Irish boardroom, Gary Kennedy sadly passed away in recent days. Here, a number of friends and colleagues remember a man with ingrained decency, a wonderful sense of wit, and an astute business brain.

Des O'Malley was implacably opposed to terrorism, rejected the fiery nationalism of Charles Haughey and his contribution towards cleaning up Irish political life will ensure a prominent position in Irish history.