Both of the county's local authorities elected new mayors at their AGMs yesterday evening.
Ballinlough-based, Independent Councillor Kieran McCarthy is the new Lord Mayor of Cork, elected with 23 votes.
Green Party Councillor Colette Finn is the new Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork City.
In his mayoral speech, the new Lord Mayor said his priorities for the year include making sure Cork’s citizens were "the front and centre of (Cork City Council’s) priorities, such as reducing homelessness, making sure our construction of our new social housing projects keeps on track, as well as keeping our affordable housing programmes on track, to making sure we are put on a firm footing to be Climate Neutral as part of the EU-led Horizon Mission".
He also said: "We need to keep adding to sustainable mobility plans; we need to keep enhancing the offering of the city centre; we need to make sure we keep creating new amenities, and we need to continue to make sure our communities are future proofed by weaving them with the sustainable development goals and the WHO Healthy Cities project."
Lord Mayor Cllr. Kieran McCarthy noted the strong sense of place and identity within the city’s communities, saying: "I would like to offer a voice to many of our citizens through my theme of Building our Communities Together and through a pet project I will be calling the Voices of Cork project. My interests in heritage, history and education will be at the heart of this project".
Outgoing Lord Mayor, Cllr. Deirdre Forde noted some of the highlights of her year in office, including the charity events she held which raised almost €50,000 for Cork’s charities. She said: "I couldn’t be more proud of each one of you, the beautiful children in all our schools, our incredible businesses who work so hard to stay innovative and progressive, our sharing and caring communities, our artists, musicians and creatives who embellish all our lives, our frontline workers, defence forces, our educational and hospital personnel, I thank you for all you have done and are doing."
While, Glanworth-native Councillor Frank O'Flynn is the new Mayor of the County of Cork, after an uncontested vote by members of Cork County Council.
Mayor O'Flynn will be the first Mayor for North Cork for this Council.
The Glanworth-native is a Fianna Fáil member of Cork County Council since June 1999, representing the Fermoy Municipal District.
In assuming the position, Mayor O'Flynn, thanked his wife Mary and their son Francis John, while expressing his profound pride in taking up the role of Mayor in what will be last for this Council.
Mayor Flynn acknowledged the tremendous growth and achievements that County Cork has witnessed over the years, attributing them to the tireless efforts of Cork County Council. Looking to his year ahead, Mayor O'Flynn envisions building upon the progress made thus far, ensuring that the county continues to flourish under his stewardship.
"My key priorities are addressing the pressing issue of housing and the urgent need to provide social and affordable housing. I also want to ensure we continue to work towards our ambitious aims in terms of climate change, economic development and securing adequate resourcing to fund a wide range of community projects."
As current chair of Cork County Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Strategic Policy Committee, previous chair of the Northern Committee, the Fermoy Municipal District Committee, the Joint Policing Committee and the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Committee while member of Planning and Development and European Affairs Committee and former member of the Southern Regional Assembly, Mayor O’Flynn brings extensive experience of local government to the role.
Both offices are held for a one-year term.
