Summary
Pat Karney, the longest-serving sitting councillor on Manchester City Council, has died. Council leader Garry Bridges described him as 'a giant of Manchester politics' and 'one of the city's most recognisable public figures for nearly 50 years'. A Book of Condolence has opened at Central Library, with the Union Flag flown at half mast.
Karney was a pivotal figure in Manchester city centre's regeneration following the 1996 IRA bomb, chairing the City Centre Committee overseeing the rebirth. He served as a director of Cityco, the city centre management company, since 2000 and of Marketing Manchester between 2002 and 2014. He also created Manchester Day, the annual civic celebration first held in 2010.
Beyond the city centre, Karney was a long-time champion of Collyhurst, Harpurhey and north Manchester, advocating for investment in these areas. He was known for championing gay rights in the 1980s when Manchester City Council opposed Clause 28, and remained active in the Irish community after moving to the city from Dublin at age nine.
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Common questions
- What is this article about?
- Pat Karney, Manchester City Council's longest-serving sitting councillor, has died. A prominent figure in city centre regeneration after the 1996 IRA bomb and founder of Manchester Day, he championed north Manchester investment and the Christmas Markets for nearly 50 years.
- When was this published?
- This article was published on 14 October 2026.
- Who published this article?
- This article was published by Business Manchester.