Outgoing cathaoirleach Niamh Kennedy praised as ‘someone who was there for everyone’

Tributes have been paid to outgoing cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Niamh Kennedy on her last day in the role.

The Killybegs-based councillor, who was the first independent female councillor in the county to hold the position,  thanked her colleagues for a great year as she stepped down from her post at the local authority’s annual general meeting in Lifford on Monday.

She is just the fourth woman elected to the chair of the local authority in its entire 126 years.

Cllr Kennedy said she had had  a great year which involved visiting “most of the county” and “welcoming many visitors to Donegal". 

Highlights included nominating Jim McGuinness and Enya for the freedom of the county.

In her final words as cathaoirleach she said it is important to acknowledge the “great work” that is being done by the council's different sections in areas including roads, piers and harbours, housing, tourism, economic development, climate action, planning, community development, and culture and heritage.

She also paid tribute to the emergency services for their efforts during Storm Éowyn in January and to out-going leas-chathaoirleach Jimmy Kavanagh for his work over the year.

“It was a pleasure to represent the county and I was very proud to do so,” she said.

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Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, thanked Cllr Kennedy on behalf of the Fianna Fáil party, saying: ”I think you excelled in the role. The standard you set is very high and it’s a hard act to follow.

“You were a great cathaoirleach for all parties and all the council.”

Sinn Féin councillor Gerry McMonagle said: “Your management of the meetings was second to none. You kept a cool head and gave everybody a lot of time.”

Cllr Martin McDermott of Fianna Fáil said: “You had a fantastic year and put the council first and was an exceptional representative, not just here but all around Donegal and all around the world and the way you conducted meetings from until now has to be really commended. 

“You were someone who was there for everyone. You were on the other end of the phone when needed and I just want to thank you for that.”

Cllr Declan Meehan said: “Thank you for the year you’ve done in your capacity as cathaoirleach, and also to congratulate you on it. You are one of very few women who has served in that spot and I think that that’s very important to recognise and to congratulate you on. 

“I’d love to see more diversity in this chamber and I think you did a fantastic job representing Donegal and representing our council here. It should be recognised that you were a very fair chair and a very respectful one and you were very honest at facilitating requests.”

100% Redress Party councillor Ali Farren said: “This time last year we came in as rookies, the 100% Redress Party, and all hell broke loose from what I remember and you handled it well.

“You gave us a fair opportunity and let us in at times when we probably weren’t supposed to get in because we were inexperienced.

“We appreciate what you did and thank you very much for that.”

The newly-elected cathaoirleach, Cllr Paul Canning, congratulated Cllr Kennedy on her year as first citizen and said he wanted to continue on where she left off.

“You have set the bar very, very, very high,” he said.