*Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) and Cllr Paul Murphy (FG).
DESCRIBED as “a true Magpie”, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) made history for ‘the fishing village’ by becoming the first Clarecastle person elected as the Mayor of Clare.
Many political heavyweights from Clarecastle have gone before but Cllr Murphy holds the distinction as the first to serve as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council (Mayor of Clare). Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) was appointed Leas Cathaoirleach.
Friends and family of Cllr Murphy were in Áras Contae an Chláir on Friday afternoon for his election. They included former Clare TDs, Joe Carey (FG) and Madeline Taylor-Quinn (FG), current TD Joe Cooney (FG), two-time National League winner John Callinan, parish priest of Clarecastle Fr Pat Malone and well-known activist Bernárd Lynch and former Mayor of Ennis, Ann Norton.
In his opening address, Paul stated, “It is an honour to be sitting here today as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council. I am deeply privileged to accept the role with your support”. He hailed the work of his predecessor, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF), “I’ve no doubt I’ll be able to turn to him for any advice, the one thing I won’t need is the phone number for his hairdresser”.
Unity exists between all twenty eight councillors due to the power sharing agreement which has been in place since 2004, Paul maintained. “I’ve to try explain what it means to be first citizen in the most wonderful county in Ireland,” he said while referring to the beautiful landscapes that exist in all four corners of Clare. He stressed the county needs “thriving towns and villages” for its communities to survive. “The maintenance of our roads, the provision of housing and waste water facilities, the future economy of Clare depends on these”.
He told colleagues, “Clarecastle was the original county capital for those that realise it” and continued, “our music, song and dance was referenced by Anthony Daly on steps of Hogan Stand in 1995, further enriching the culture of our county”.
Murphy continued, “Becoming Cathaoirleach is a privilege like no other and one I will treasure from this day forward”. To be the first Mayor of Clare from Clarecastle “is huge,” he acknowledged and he remembered those from the village who were representatives on the Council before him including his uncle Barney.
Co-opted to the Council in 2007 following the Dáil election of Joe Carey, Paul has prevailed in local elections in 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024. “I would like to thank the electorate of the Ennis Municipal District including my base of Clarecastle who have continually elected me over last four elections, I have always taken the view that the seat belongs to the people and not myself”.
“To my wife Siobhán and sons Cathal and Johnny, ye can be slightly critical of me at times but ye are my biggest supporters and I love ye”. He finished his opening address by wishing the Clare minor hurlers the very best of luck in the All-Ireland final, “We might not have Liam MacCarthy but we’d take Irish Press Cup because we need ready-made replacements coming up”.
Proposing the election of Cllr Murphy, Cllr John Crowe (FG) recalled that Paul “took the baton from an outstanding man in Joe Carey and it was handed to an outstanding man, Joe was a great councillor elected in 1999 the same year as myself, he went on to bigger things in the Dáil. Paul has been a real team player, as Chief Whip of our group he certainly keeps us in line and he has a tough job at times, he is a real genuine friend to all of us especially myself.
Seconding his election, Cllr Colleran Molloy said it was a pleasure to be asked by Cllr Murphy to speak about him. “It took a while for us to get each other and now that we have I consider him a good friend. I consider him a patient thinking person, he contemplates before making a decision or speaking. He doesn’t speak too much but when he does we listen, when he speaks it is after deliberation”. She commended his attendance record at meetings. “He is a trustworthy and dependable person, a true gentleman, he might be a true Magpie but his top priority are his family, Siobhan, Cathal and Johnny”.
Cooperation from the Fianna Fáil grouping will not be lacking, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) assured the new Mayor. In nominating Colleran Molloy, he said, “she got first elected in 2014 to Clare County Council in the nail-biting long drawn out count in the West County, she came from behind and made her way”. He continued, “her recent appointment to the Committee of Regions in Europe has given a real focus, particularly with her legal background”.
Her nomination was seconded by Cllr Michael Begley (IND), “the fact that ye are neighbours ye can’t afford to fall out”.
Becoming Leas Cathaoirleach for a second time was an honour, the Quin native outlined. “Whatever you ask me to do I will be there. We’re going to work well together, when you need me I’ll be there. It is going to be a good year for the county and for you”.
Offering his congratulations to the new Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) remarked, “I would like to congratulate you on stepping up to be the first citizen of the Banner County, it is a proud day for your supporters and family, for the Ennis MD and for the Magpie village of Clarecastle and also the Kildysart Rd, the place we grew up as teenagers where I knew him as Cantona”. He added, “When you’re up a creek without a paddle and you are contacted Paul is the guy to get you out of it”.
“All the time I’ve known you from working in the Chamber, we’ve never had a falling out which says a lot,” stated Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) who joined the local authority in 2022. “It is a very proud day for your family and friends, we’re delighted for you, when you’re so busy minding the county, myself and Comrade will take care of Clarecastle the best we can”.
Murphy was deserving of the role, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) noted. “He is the first Clarecastle man to get it, even the parish priest from Clarecastle is here”.
Chief Executive of the Council, Gordon Daly stated, “it is a very historic day for you and family, wish you really well for year ahead and assure you of full support during the course of our term, you referenced the match tomorrow, I know you are a big GAA supporter so it is only fitting that for your first full day in office tomorrow involves watching Clare in an All-Ireland final”.
