*RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey with former Mayor of Clare, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF). Photograph: Tom Micks
A YEAR as Clare’s first citizen was “full of everything,” said Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) when reflecting on his twelve month stint as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council.
Friday saw the Kilmurry man’s term as Mayor conclude with Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) elected as his successor.
When he was elevated to the role last year, Cllr O’Callaghan described it as “the proudest day of my life”. Looking back on his time as Mayor, he reflected, “What a year in my life that I got over the last twelve months, it was full of everything. We had Clare winning the All-Ireland, we didn’t have an involvement in the All-Ireland but we did in the Fair Green with the big screen for the match and the homecoming afterwards, what a spectacle. All I had to do was sing a song, I was in the right place at the right time really”.
He quipped that security personnel questioned on the night how many nieces and nephews he had as the homecoming saw between fifty to sixty youngsters claim to be a niece or nephew of ‘Wiggy’.
Attendance of a Clare tourism delegation at the Milwaukee Irish Fest has brought visitors to the county, he said. “I had the pleasure of going to Milwaukee and we’ve since heard of people coming here since we went there”.
He continued, “We’ve one of the best counties in Ireland, we’ve the industrial side, the airport side, the tourism side, we’ve education on both sides in Galway and Limerick and we’ve only half an hour’s journey to go and you can sniff sea air, what more would anyone want in life”.
Opening the €17m de Valera library in Ennis in November alongside then Taoiseach Simon Harris (FG) was a “pleasure,” Cllr O’Callaghan recalled. Cutting the ribbon for the launch of the Killaloe Bypass was another win while he held the chain. “We buried a Bishop and elected a Pope,” he commented.
As he prepared to move from the top table back to his seat among county councillors, he took time to remember the man who sat beside him for ten years, the late PJ Kelly (FF).
Hosting a Mayoral Ball which raised €10,000 for Down Syndrome Clare was another notable achievement during his term.
“I’ve a fair record, I’ve been here twelve months and I’ve gone through three Chief Executives and three administrative staff,” he quipped referencing the resignation of Pat Dowling which was followed by Carmel Kirby serving in an interim capacity and then the full-time appointment of Gordon Daly. Ann Reynolds, Mary McMahon and John Corry all sat beside him in an administrative capacity during the year.
Addressing Friday’s AGM, Alan said he tried to remain positive and felt “there was not too many downs” over the year. “We leave no one behind which is very important as a local authority, we don’t leave anyone behind,” he stressed. He thanked Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) for her commitment to the role.
Members of the O’Callaghan family were praised for their support and understanding during the year. “A lot of family stuff gets parked when you’re the Mayor. In fairness I was the priority in our house and I must say thanks to my family and neighbours for their patience”.
His time as Mayor also led to bragging rights for his children. “I was collecting my children from school and one young fella said to my son, ‘do you know my Daddy is a Garda’ and my young fella said back, ‘Do you know my Daddy is the Mayor of Clare’,” he said.
Returning to “the nitty gritty jobs of a councillor” is something O’Callaghan is looking forward to. He acknowledged constituents were patient with him over the year.
It is a hectic schedule as Mayor, he noted. “You might have five events or fifteen in the one week but for the people that might be their main event of the year. I hope I brought some bit of positivity to the thing, I’m not a doom and gloom person, I try get the positive and put a smile on people’s faces”. He encouraged his successor, Cllr Murphy to acquire a carboard box to put all bits of memorabilia from the year into.
Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) paid tribute to his colleague’s service to the County Council and the county. “Honestly we wondered how it would go for you, you did a remarkable job, you are a man of the people, we and our party are very proud of you”. He continued, “We didn’t have to come back for second meetings, sometimes he bordered on the edge of standing orders, comrade made you aware of it but you were exemplary. You brought the joviality and the fun with it”.
An individuality was evident in his approach to the job, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) stated, “We’re all individuals and you brought an individual persona to the role of Cathaoirleach, starting with the hairstyle” to which O’Callaghan quipped, “the next man won’t have the same problems”. “I’m not sure how you’re taking credit for All-Ireland, I’ve been here for three All-Ireland wins. Your experience will be with you forever, anyone with the honour of wearing the chain will never forget it,” Begley added.
East Clare took a focus during the ex-publican’s reign, Cllr John Crowe (FG) observed. “The ball hopped great for you and no better man to catch it, you ran things excellently and were fair to everyone, you represented the county all over. The West Clare Railway was the first priority last year, now it is gone down to fourth place”.
Chief Executive of the Council, Gordon Daly praised O’Callaghan for “an excellent year as Cathaoirleach. You were simply a great ambassador for our county and Council at home and abroad. Whether it was a joyful or sad occasion, you always struck the right tone”.
