Motor rallying enthusiast, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan (FF), powered his way to the top of Clare County Council following his election as the new chairman at its annual general meeting on Friday.
The Kilmurry oil distributor, who was elected unanimously without a vote as part of the power-sharing agreement, was proposed by Councillor Pat Hayes (FF) and was seconded by Councillor Pat Burke (FG).
After spending ten years on the council, Councillor O’Callaghan increased his first preference share from 1,117 votes in 2019 to 1,475 paving the way for his election in the third count when he exceeded the quota, unlike his previous two elections when he was elected without reaching the quota.
This is the third year in succession that the first citizen has been chosen from the Killaloe Municipal District.
Councillor Tony O’Brien (FF), Killaloe was elected as council chairman in 2022 and he was followed by Councillor Joe Cooney (FG) a year later and now Councillor O’Callaghan has taken up the reins.
In his acceptance speech, Councillor O’Callaghan recalled he wasn’t sure whether I would be re-elected as a councillor, never mind being afforded the honour of representing Clare as Cathaoirleach.
The father-of-two paid tribute to his predecessor, Councillor Joe Cooney and everyone who has previously held this office.
He welcomed his wife, Aideen, and his two sons, Liam and James, family members and friends to the chamber.
“I want to thank them for supporting me over my past 10 years as a councillor, through the highs and lows. I hope to do you proud during my stint as Cathaoirleach.
“This is my proudest day as an elected member and I look forward to representing my family, Kilmurry, this council and all of Clare during the next 12 months.
“I am humbled and deeply privileged to assume this role and to do so with your full support.
“The council must adopt a fresh approach to how we go about its business.
“Tourism can be a big driver in this regard, with its potential to create and sustain jobs and to draw people to visit and spend in our county. Clare County Council’s tourism directorate has done superb work in growing tourism in the county and we need to continue to push this work forward.”
Councillor O’Callaghan hoped the development of Craggaunowen, Bunratty and Knappogue would continue over the coming years.
“The Cliffs of Moher is the shining success story of tourism in Clare but with the work that has been done in the likes of the Vandeleur Garden and Loop Head, and the work that is ongoing in Inis Cealtra, the sky is the limit for what can be achieved.
“Events like the World Rally Championship are also crucial to putting the spotlight on our county and to attracting visitors here. This huge international event was touted to come to our shores from 2025, with the potential for a stage to be held in Clare. However, the Government has yet to stump up the funding to ensure the plans can proceed,” he said.
One of his top priorities for the year ahead is to push ministers and the government to provide the necessary funds so that the WRC can be brought to Clare.
“Clare has the opportunity to focus the eyes of the world on our county through this event and we must spare no effort in making this happen.
“This would bring 250,000 to Clare, which I want to put back on the political agenda again,” he stressed.
Another priority of Councillor O’Callaghan is improving and upgrading Clare’s road network. He said Clare needs decent and well-maintained roads to facilitate economic growth and for our people to be safe as they go to work and school and as they go about their daily lives.
This can only be achieved through securing more funding from central government for roads projects and upkeep, as well as by progressing work programmes on the ground in every municipal district in the county.
While roads staff do a stellar job, he said more resources are needed to make real progress in improving the road network.
He looked forward to working with the Chief Executive and the staff of Clare
County Council during the coming weeks and months in establishing a roadmap for the development and management of County Clare over the five- year lifespan of this council.
When Councillor Hayes was proposing Councillor O’Callaghan he said his colleague was looking over very pensively at him, which prompted the new chairman to quip “I am the new PJ Kelly”.
In the run-up to the 2014 Local Elections, Councillor Hayes recalled this was when he got to know the former Kilmurry publican, who was involved in Tulla drama, arrived one day with the catch phrase “don’t shiver we deliver”.
When Councillor Tony O’Brien and Councillor Hayes took Councillor O’Callaghan under their wing to educate him on politics and local government, the Caher Councillor admitted it wasn’t long before he was stealing their thunder.
Councillor Mary Howard, who was elected as vice-chairperson of the council for the coming year, admitted the last few days had been a bit of a “whirlwind” as she didn’t expect to be taking up this role.
“It is one of the highest honours you can get to represent your county. What I love about the council is the way you develop long and lasting friendships with people,” she said.
The last time she got a chance to put on the council chairperson’s chain was during Covid-19 and lamented the fact she didn’t get a chance to host an in-person meeting in the council chamber as all local authority meetings had to be held remotely via Zoom.
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.