Michael Lucey, who died on September 15th, 2000, following a long illness, was a pioneer of modern property development and investment in Ireland. He was born in Clondrohid, Co Cork, in 1921, and was a native Irish speaker. He also had a fantastic command of the English language (and, indeed, Latin). He was educated by the Christian Brothers in Cork, studied engineering at UCC, graduating with first-class honours in 1943.
As Chief Valuer with Dublin Corporation, he negotiated the acquisition of most of the land on which the then new towns of Ballymun, Clondalkin and Tallaght were built. In the city centre, he was involved in land assembly for the Civic Offices and many municipal housing projects.
However, his move to Irish Life in 1968 saw the beginning of his most productive and innovative period. He introduced the concept of the Property Modules Fund, which enabled small investors to participate directly in the ownership and development of commercial property and in turn led to the creation of the biggest property fund in Ireland, with assets of over £300 million in the early 1970s.
In the 1960s, Michael Lucey worked on a major UN-sponsored town planning report on the regeneration of the north inner city of Dublin, and his subsequent work in Irish Life was an effort on his part to implement the findings of that report in practical terms.
He was responsible for the development of Irish Life Centre, in Lower Abbey Street in Dublin, the first phase of which was completed in 1977, with the entire project finally realised in 1985. All this was at a time when city-centre office buildings were unfashionable, and was begun some 20 years before the establishment of the International Financial Services Centre. He also built the ILAC Centre at Moore Street, in partnership with Dublin Corporation. He initiated the site assembly and planning of the George's Quay development, which is now coming to fruition.
He made a point of commissioning public works of art for for Irish Life buildings. Perhaps the crowning glory of this process is Chariot of Life by Oisin Kelly, which dominates the main plaza in the Irish Life Centre.
After retirement from Irish Life, Michael devoted some time to property consultancy, and in particular assisted the Dublin Archdiocese with the management of its diocesan property trust. In 1995 he was awarded a Knighthood of the order of Saint Gregory.
He is survived by his wife, Dr Mary Lucey, and his five children and 13 grandchildren. He leaves behind a retinue of people whose lives were enriched for having known him, and a family who can be proud of a man of real stature, style and integrity who enjoyed life to the full.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
