Memorial bench unveiled honouring disability activist

A MEMORIAL bench was unveiled at the weekend honouring Letterkenny man Frank Larkin.

Well known for his work as a disability rights campaigner, Mr Larkin passed away in 2020 after falling ill. He was 48.

Mr Larkin (pictured) lived with the condition spina bifida but he never let it get in the way of his full and busy life.

He was always on the frontline when it came to fighting for the rights of people with disabilities.

Efforts to fund a park bench in his name have been ongoing for a number of years since his passing. Those efforts have come to fruition with the special seat unveiled by Donegal Centre for Independent Living. The ribbon was cut by his wife, Pauline.

Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh attended the unveiling. Speaking afterwards, he said: “Frank was a great advocate for people with disabilities, and dedicated so much of his life to making improvements. He also had a huge interest in his local community, in sport and in politics and in the town of Letterkenny.

“Pauline keeps his memory alive on a daily basis and it was great that she was there to cut the ribbon and to pay her own special tribute to her late husband with some lovely words.

“The seat can now be a place of solace for her and for the Larkin family and for Frank’s many friends.

“A quiet spot in a busy park, where a moment can be taken to remember Frank, or where a stranger might sit to rest and ask, who was Frank Larkin? and each time that question is answered his memory will be revived, recalled and will live on.”

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