This afternoon’s Kilkenny Municipal District meeting was adjourned as a mark of respect to the late Eamonn Langton, who was afforded the Freedom of Kilkenny last June.
Mr Langton, who died on September 16th, was described by Mayor Andrew McGuinness (FF) as a great servant of Kilkenny and a regular source of sound advice and great encouragement.
Seconding Councillor John Coonan’s (FG) proposal to adjourn the Municipal District’s October meeting, Mayor McGuinness described the move as “unprecedented”, adding that it was entirely appropriate given Mr Langton’s contribution to civic life in the city.
“I think it’s really important that we would acknowledge someone who achieved the Freedom of Kilkenny City and in light of the contribution that Eamonn gave to Kilkenny over his lifetime and indeed the entire Langton family and the contribution that they continue to make.
“So many people in my generation actually feel like we grew up in Langton’s; we’ve had our christenings, our communions, our weddings and so many other major life celebrations there…Eamonn’s contribution to Kilkenny is indelible and I think that it’s only appropriate that we would acknowledge him here by adjourning our Council meeting today.”
Councillor Coonan said Eamonn Langton was “the beating heart of Kilkenny City”, a local and regional figure of unmatched business vision who had both a soft heart and open hand.
“Cities are not just built of stone and cobblestone; they are shaped by the people who devote their lives to them,” he added.
“For over 50 years, Eamonn did exactly that. He took the reins of a traditional family pub in 1975 and, with unmatched vision and tireless work, built an internationally renowned hospitality empire, from Langton’s and Bridies to the Set Theatre and the Marble City Bar…In doing so, Eamonn put Kilkenny on the map.”
Kilkenny County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Joe Malone (FF) said Eamonn Langton was a central figure in the life of Kilkenny City throughout his distinguished career in business.
“Eamonn’s legacy extends over many generations,” said Cllr Malone. “He was a man of great faith, decency and incredible generosity. In fact, the extent of his good deeds given the level of the help he provided to voluntary groups, community groups, as well as clubs and organisations will probably never be fully known.”
Cllr Seán Ó hArgáin (Lab) said Mr Langton swiftly welcomed him into the wider John Street family upon his arrival in the city in 1989.
“It doesn’t matter where you go in the country: the minute you say you’re living in Kilkenny, the first name that comes to everybody’s mind is Eamonn Langton. People not only got married in the place, but (they) were practically raised in the place, and so many important events took place there over the years…and I think we all remember with great fondness the nights of the (All-Ireland) homecomings…Langton’s was where everyone wanted to be. It was the golden ticket and the craic was mighty.”
Cllr Eugene McGuinness (Ind) reflected on his work as a tradesman which brought him into direct and regular contact with Eamonn in his premises, a period he described as “an explosion of great creativity” on John Street.
“It was an extraordinary experience, I have to say. As a tradesman, Eamonn Langton ensured that if you thought you were a good tradesman, you had to climb up three or four more notches to get to the standard that he wanted, that he needed, that he required, that he demanded. It was an extraordinary time and it was a privilege for me to be there.
“I can remember the first skylight that was ever put in at Langton’s. Myself and Tommy Dwyer put a hole in that roof that day. It was on a Good Friday. And it lashed rain that day. It destroyed the whole place. But Langton wanted that skylight in. and he didn’t care what the result was – ‘just get it in’….
“I think my last job there was working with a business partner of mine, another genius, Paul Quigley, a sign maker. We designed, manufactured, and installed the Langton’s sign and I’m proud every time I drive up the street and see that sign. It’s been there for so long. And Eamonn Langton was particularly proud of it. He was an extraordinary individual.”
Cllr Maria Dollard (GP) spoke of how the world has changed over the course of Eamonn Langton’s remarkable career and how ego has become a motivating force for so many. Not so in Eamonn’s case, she stated.
“What you had in Eamonn Langton was someone who built a business through hard work, based on both his family values and his values around community: looking after people, looking after his family, looking after his workforce, looking after his customers.
“His ability to turn a bright idea into a thriving business was extraordinary, and he had that in spades, and he was able to do it while maintaining those good values and that family ethos that he always had…He did so much for Kilkenny.”
Speaking on behalf of the Kilkenny County Council Executive, Director of Services Tim Butler said the Freedom of the City celebration was “one of the finest nights” he had attended in his near 42-year career in local government.
“The gratitude that the Langton family showed that night – I can’t imagine it will ever be surpassed for the rest of my working life.”
