The funeral arrangements for former long-serving member of Clare County Council, Mayor of Clare and TD for the county, James Breen have been confirmed.
James died peacefully on the 17th June 2026 in the care of the excellent staff of the Galway Clinic, surrounded by his devoted family.
James Breen, Ballyknock, Kilnamona, Co. Clare.
Funeral Arrangements: Reposing at St. Joseph’s Church, Kilnamona, Co. Clare (V95 FE43), on Saturday (20th June) from 1pm until 5 pm. There will be an intermission for family during the reposing from 3pm until 3.15pm.
Funeral Mass Sunday (21st June) at 12 noon, followed by cremation service in Shannon Crematorium at 4pm. No flowers by request please, donations, in lieu, to the Parkinsons Ireland Mid West. You are welcome to donate here:
House Private Please
*On Saturday for the reposing, there will be a one-way traffic system in operation, please enter by Kilnamona Cross only and follow stewards’ directions for exiting.
There will be an intermission for family during the reposing on Saturday from 3pm until 3.15pm
*11am Mass in Kilnamona Church on Sunday is cancelled.
James will be dearly missed by his loving wife Eileen, sons Damian, Ciaran and Ruairi, daughter Eilis and sister Anne. Adoring grandchildren Calum, Moya, Robyn, Faye, Kathy, Sophie, Jodie Mai and Tara Rose, son-in-law Tony, daughters-in-law Susanne, Claudia and Theresa, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of wonderful friends.
May He Rest in Peace
First elected to Clare County Council in 1985, Mr Breen left Fianna Fáil and ran as an independent candidate in the 2002 General Election, when he topped the poll.
After narrowly losing his Dáil seat in 2007, he was re-elected to the Council in 2009 and in 2015 became the first person from Kilnamona to be elected as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council. Mr Breen stepped down from politics in May 2019.
Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my former colleague, James Breen.
James was a huge figure in the political landscape of Clare, serving our county with fierce independence and unwavering dedication to the people who elected him.
Whether topping the poll as an Independent TD in 2002 or making history as the first Kilnamona man to be elected Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, James always put the needs of his constituents first.
It was a true privilege to serve alongside James on Clare County Council for a decade, from 2009 until his retirement from local government in 2019. In the chamber, he was a formidable, straight-talking politician, but outside of it, he was an absolute gentleman filled with wit, good humour, and a genuine affection for his community.
I want to express my deepest and heartfelt condolences to James’ wife Eileen, his children, and his extended family at this very sad and difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”