Tributes pour in for journalist and campaigner Frank McDonald

Tributes have continued to pour in for Frank McDonald. The journalist and author died on Saturday, aged 76, following a brief illness.

He served as Environment Editor for The Irish Times from 2000 to 2015.

He published the renowned book The Destruction of Georgian Dublin in 1985. The book illustrates how in the 60s and 70s historic Georgian buildings in the city were torn down instead of being preserved to make way for new developments.

Throughout his career McDonald focused on planning and development in Dublin, and the preservation of historical buildings. Following his retirement he remained a vocal environmental campaigner, including being highly critical on the impact of Airbnb in towns and cities.

He began his journalism career writing for The Irish Press in 1972. He joined The Irish Times in 1979, where he became Environment Correspondent in 1986.

He published a memoir, Truly Frank in 2018, detailing his experiences as a gay man in Dublin during the 60s.

The Irish Georgian Society paid tribute to McDonald in a post on Facebook.

"Frank McDonald (1950-2026) was a great champion of Ireland's built heritage and, through his role as Environment Editor of The Irish Times and his many publications, highlighted and campaigned on planning and environmental issues since the 1980s. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him and by anyone who followed his important work. May he rest in peace," the post reads.

Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin paid tribute to the late journalist in a post on X.

"Frank was a powerful advocate for Dublin City," he wrote. "He and his important voice will be sorely missed."

This is desparately sad news...

Frank was a powerful advocate for Dublin City.

For a city that should put the needs of people, good planning & beautiful archietcure at its heart.

He and his important voice will be sorely missed.

Condolences to his family & friends. https://t.co/PPzikbYmHc

— Eoin Ó Broin (@EOBroin) September 5, 2026

Designer and activist Dr. Frank O'Connor also paid tribute to McDonald on X.

"A true pioneer, Frank McDonald did so much for environmental movement, to save Dublin & end dereliction," he wrote.

So sad to hear this
A true pioneer, Frank McDonald did so much for environmental movement, to save Dublin & end dereliction, long before me & @judesherry started #DerelictIreland
So grateful he joined us on the 2021 Dereliction tour of Dublin sharing his invaluable insights
RIP https://t.co/FPcfVPXOBv

— Frank O'Connor (@frank_oconnor) September 5, 2026

Mr. McDonald is survived by his husband, Eamon Slater, whom he married in 2016.