Cork's new Lord Mayor sums up his philosophy in two words: 'Be sound'

Fine Gael councillor Damian Boylan is the 16th past pupil of the North Monastery to serve as lord mayor, among them Tomás Mac Curtain and Terence MacSwiney

Cork's new Lord Mayor, councillor Damian Boylan, with outgoing lord mayor Fergal Dennehy in the council chamber on Friday. Picture: Shane O'Sullivan

The new Lord Mayor of Cork has summed up his policy for the coming year in a simple two-word phrase: “Be sound”.

Fine Gael councillor Damian Boylan was elected first citizen at the annual meeting of Cork City Council on Friday night.

The Blarney native, who represents Cork City’s north-west ward, was elected by 19 votes to eight, with one abstention, before the ceremonial passing of the historic lord mayor’s chain.

Mr Boylan is the 16th past pupil of the North Monastery to serve as lord mayor, among them Tomás Mac Curtain and Terence MacSwiney. 

Describing his election as a “tremendous honour and a deeply humbling experience”, Mr Boylan said it was a privilege beyond anything he could have imagined when growing up.

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“Like many Cork people, I didn't spend much time thinking about titles or offices,” he said.

“I was raised to believe that if something needed doing, you rolled up your sleeves and got involved. 

You worked hard. You helped where you could. You left things a little better than you found them.

“That simple philosophy is what first brought me into community life, then into business, and ultimately into public service.

“Tonight, I want to thank my fellow councillors for placing their trust in me.” 

Fergal Dennehy 'has given his all'

Mr Boylan paid tribute to the outgoing lord mayor, Fergal Dennehy, who he said had represented the city with dignity, commitment and enthusiasm.

“Fergal has given his all to the role, and I thank him sincerely for his service to our city. 

"He has played a blinder. I would also like to acknowledge the lady mayoress, Karen Brennan,” he added.

The outgoing lord mayor said serving the city as first citizen had been the greatest privilege of his life.

Mr Dennehy said: “If there is one thing I will take from this year, it is this: 

Cork is defined by its people, their decency, their creativity, their resilience, sense of humour and their community spirit. 

“This year has also been a time of real progress and ambition for Cork.

“We are living through a period of unprecedented change, a city growing in confidence, in scale, and in opportunity. Cork today stands at a crossroads, but it is a positive one.

Damian Boylan, who represents Cork City’s north-west ward, was elected as Cork's first citizen at the annual meeting of Cork City Council on Friday night. File picture

“We have the vision, the ambition, and most importantly, the people to shape a city that is inclusive, vibrant and future-focused. 

"As I hand on the chain of office this evening, I do so with great confidence in the future of this city.” 

Mr Dennehy received a standing ovation and a sustained round of applause from his colleagues and from the public gallery.

Nominating Mr Boylan, Fine Gael’s Shane O’Callaghan said that despite his party colleague being “Fine Gael to his core”, he was not partisan and had no problem working with councillors from any party.

That drew from the benches opposite a growl from Fianna Fáil’s Terry Shannon: “You should follow his example”.

Sinn Féin candidate: 'I'm going to be sound' 

Seconding the nomination and referencing Mr Boylan's pride in his former school, Fianna Fáil’s Colm Kelleher noted that he is the only lord mayor from Coláiste Choilm, telling his fellow alumni Sinn Féin’s Joe Lynch and Fine Gael’s Gary O’Brien: “Lads, the pressure is on, we’re 15-down”.

Sinn Féin proposed Fiona Kerins for árdmhéara, and Michelle Gould for leas árdmhéara, with both receiving eight votes each.

Congratulating Mr Boylan, Ms Kerins quipped: “There are no hard feelings, I’m going to be sound”. 

Fine Gael’s Gary O’Brien was elected Mr Boylan’s deputy lord mayor.

In the public gallery were Fine Gael TDs Colm Burke and Jerry Buttimer, and Cork senators Garret Kelleher and Laura Harmon.

All but Mr Buttimer are former members of the city council. Another former member of the chamber was watching online from home, Mr Dennehy’s father, John, a former lord mayor and TD.

After the meeting, Mr Dennehy prepared to head away for a well-earned break, and Mr Boylan settled into a role he is said to have wished for since he was 10 years old.

At the door of the chamber, Finbarr Archer, the Lord Mayor’s driver, told the Irish Examiner: “He might be a North Mon Lord Mayor, but he’s going nowhere without a Chríost Rí driver”.