County Mayor's Diary Councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy

With the conclusion of my year as Mayor of the County of Cork, the end of this council term and my last entry to this column, I’d like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation.

I’m grateful to the people of Cork for their incredible work, volunteerism and involvement in their communities during my tenure as Mayor. I was accommodated, welcomed and made feel at home throughout the county. It was an honour to represent you both at home and abroad.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people of West Cork for re-electing me last weekend. Serving my community as a councillor is one of the greatest privileges I’ve enjoyed in my career and being county mayor has been the pinnacle of my political career.

This has been a very significant year for Cork county in many respects. This year marked the 170th year since the end of the famine, the centenary of the first sitting of Dáil Éireann and of Armistice Day, the 80th anniversary of the handover of Berehaven and Spike Island, the 40th anniversary of Special Olympics Ireland and the Whiddy Island disaster. All of these events were marked in county Cork and I’m proud and humbled to have been a part of them.

At mayoral receptions, I had the chance to meet people who are making history today, each in their own way. I had the pleasure of celebrating the accomplishments of incredible people and teams who have excelled in their passions, their work and their communities.

At the Mayor's Community Awards, I had the opportunity to recognise the incredible contributions of groups and individuals from throughout the county who have volunteered their time to improving their communities. I know that I will see more of these groups and individuals in my continuing role as councillor and I consider that a privilege.

I also wish to acknowledge our outstanding performance as a county in the 2018 National Tidy Towns Competition, bringing 20 medals home. The communities of Ballincollig, Coolagown, Macroom, Castletownroche and Milstreet achieved exceptionally well.

Our participation and performance in activities and competitions like this shows the real strength of communities across Cork. I could fill this entire paper recalling our accomplishments. It has made it an absolute joy to represent you as mayor.

The next five years will bring new challenges and opportunities for Cork and its people, and we will meet them together. I greatly look forward to meeting my colleagues, new and old in the Council of 2019 – 2024 and to further celebrating the work of communities throughout Cork. Thank you all for an amazing year and here’s to many more.