Outgoing Mayor of Ennis reflects on strange year as he prepares to return chain

THE Mayor of Ennis reflected on “an extremely strange year” in his last meeting in the chair of the Ennis Municipal District.
Councillor Paul Murphy described the past year as sometimes being “frustrating” adding, “I think we’ve all found that, but that’s what happens when you have a pandemic around us. It’s been a learning curve for everybody.”
The Clarecastle native praised the executive and staff of the municipal district for their support during the year, and made a special mention of appreciation for the outdoor staff who have “been front and centre of the temporary mobility plan” and “taken a bit of abuse on the streets for that matter”.
Councillor Murphy said that, in terms of Covid while, “we are not out of the woods yet, hopefully we are getting there.”
He thanked his Council colleagues, particularly Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mark Nestor.
“I thought I would get an opportunity at some stage in the year to give you the chain of office to wear to a function, I think I haven’t even got to wear it myself to one, so I don’t think you can take it personally,” he smiled.
He said he is looking forward to the town and wider municipal area getting back on its feet and that things will prosper and revert to what they should be.
“We will have a vibrant town as we hopefully exit this Covid-19 pandemic. It’s been a challenging year, but hopefully we are coming out the right side of it.
“I am looking forward to the AGM next month, and hopefully a new era and new things happening for the town and exciting times for the town going forward.”
Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy expressed her thanks to the outgoing mayor in what has been “a hard year for all of us”.
She pointed out, “The key aspect of being a mayor is that you are out in the public, doing things and interacting with people, and you couldn’t do that. You have done very well in light of all the challenges.”
Councillor Ann Norton also noted the “extremely difficult year” saying, “Covid has thrown a huge spanner in the works for everybody, but irrespective of that you have been out there making sure that our own Ennis MD is well looked after.”

by Jessica Quinn