County Mayor's Diary Councillor Ian Doyle

Following the election of my former colleague Deputy Christopher O’Sullivan to Dáil Éireann, my fellow councillors elected me to the role of Mayor of the County of Cork.

Representing the people of Cork county as Mayor of the County of Cork is a pure privilege, one for which I am grateful, and one which I intend to honour during my term.

To be elected mayor in any local authority is a great distinction, and a phenomenal opportunity to connect with, and represent, the public. Cork county is notably unique in this regard, covering the largest area and being the second most populous of any local authority. I am eager to apply my experience as a public representative and activist in North Cork for the whole county.

My membership in St Vincent de Paul’s Holy Cross Conference was instrumental in how I came to represent the community of North Cork. During my presidency of the Holy Cross Conference, Vincent’s shop was established. Alongside the work SVP does in helping those in need, the shops add another level of community involvement. Relying on donations, these shops raise money for a good cause and engage the community in reuse and sustainability.

Another significant step in my journey to the office of the mayor was sitting on the first committee of the Charleville Show. As a founding member, I recall some concerns at the time that up to 1979, there was no tradition of a show in or around Charleville. This didn’t deter us. We knew that Charleville was one of the best agricultural areas and our persistence throughout the years since then have led to the Charleville Show becoming the largest two day show in the country.

I have been involved in many more voluntary and community groups, including the Charleville Heritage Society, Charleville Tidy Towns, Ballyhoura Development, Charleville Sheltered Housing and Community care, Charleville Community Hall, Charleville Chamber, Newtownshandrum Community Association and IRD Duhallow.

It was only natural for me to gravitate towards local government. I represented the people of Fermoy Municipal District in Cork County Council from 2014 to 2019 and was re-elected to the newly redrawn Mallow Kanturk Municipal District last June.

This is a very exciting time to take office as Mayor, on the same day as our new Corporate Plan was passed. This will guide the council’s activities over the next five years.

It was also a significant day for Cork County Council, as four new members were co-opted into the council. I would like to extend a warm welcome to Cllr Sheila O’Callaghan, Cllr Ann Marie Ahern, Cllr Deirdre Kelly and Cllr Ross O’Connell.

It is my intention to bring to bear all the energy that I have applied throughout my time as an activist and community representative and get it started on the right foot.