ICYMI: 'You’ve been the standard bearer' - Kilkenny councillor steps into new role

The country’s longest serving female councillor, Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh was elected to the position of Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council for the fourth time on Friday.

The motion to elect Cllr Cavanagh was proposed by Cllr Michael Doyle (Fine Gael) and seconded by Cllr Pat Dunphy (Fine Gael) with the long-standing councillor replacing Cllr Michael McCarthy (Fianna Fáil) in the role, with the North Kilkenny councillor receiving glowing tributes from her local representative colleagues.

"Her credentials are second to none," Cllr Doyle said at Friday's meeting.

"Mary is strong, straight talking and fair," he continued, adding, it was an honour to propose Cllr Cavanagh.

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Cllr Pat Dunphy described his North Kilkenny counterpart as a 'dedicated, hard working and principled representative'.

Friday also proved to be an emotional day for outgoing Cathaoirleach Michael McCarthy, who drew the curtain on his year in office.

Chief Executive Lar Power paid tribute to the Freshford man, noting he was available at 'all times to help'.

Cllr McCarthy thanked fellow councillors and his family for their support during his term and congratulated Ms Hilda Cavanagh on her new role.

"Since the time I've been elected, you’ve been the standard bearer," he commented.

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