Kilkenny's retiring councillors have made vast impact on their community

The impact made by two Kilkenny councillors during their years of service ‘can’t be measured’. Tributes to Cllrs Matt Doran and Patrick O’Neill were led by Callan Thomastown District Chair Deirdre Cullen when they met for the last time in advance June local elections.

Both councillors have decided to call time on their local political roles and will not be standing in the local elections. Between them, the men have served as local councillors for 32 years. Patrick O’Neill was first elected ten years ago. Matt Doran has been a Kilkenny county councillor for 22 years.

The impact both men have made in their local communities in that time is “so vast it can not be measured.”
Cllr Cullen said they have impacted in a positive way so many families and community groups.
“We all seek to do as good a job as we can, when elected. You want to leave things better than you found it, and ye have done that,” Cllr Cullen said.

Thanking his two fellow councillors, Cllr Joe Lyons said they may be ‘different colours’ but they all worked together and worked well as a council. Even now, as he is canvassing, the two names are coming up on the doorstep, he told them. “It just goes to show, you have been effective throughout the years.”

Matt Doran was “an unbelievable ambassador for the community and a fantastic worker” who “gets the head down and makes a difference,” Cllr Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere said.
“You can hold your head high because you have made a difference to so many peoples’ lives,” he added. “The impact you have left on people and families will last forever. You should be proud because your Fianna Fail family is, and your own family.”

Loss to politics
Paying tribute to Cllr Doran’s passion, commitment and knowledge, Cllr Cleere told hill: “You will be an unmerciful loss to politics.”
Cllr Cleere recalled how he and Cllr O’Neill were first elected at the same time. Telling Cllr O’Neill he had been a fantastic councillor in that time, Cllr Cleere said he hoped that when his friend ‘gets a bit of a break’ he will return to politics in the future.

“You were always fair, always honest, always genuine. You were a fantastic councillor and a fantastic mayor. You have made an impact on your community, you have made a difference in your community and that’s huge,” Cllr Cleere said.
Cllr Michael Doyle echoed those sentiments. He said both retiring councillors were ‘hard working, loyal and trustworthy’ when sitting at the council table, making decisions and when working for the community.

“All of us here are friends more than enemies. We have worked extremely well as a group. Both Patrick and Matt - you have been exceptional and have achieved a huge amount.”
Cllr Doyle said the respect in which they were held by all councillors was seen when they were made council chairs.
“Your families’ gain will be the community’s loss. Your shoes won’t be filled, there’s no better than the two of ye,” Cllr Doyle said.
The tributes were followed by a round of applause from all present.

Bittersweet
“It’s a bit bittersweet today,” Patrick O’Neill admitted. “It’s been really weird the last few weeks not having to make out a campaign plan, but I know I’m doing the right thing for myself and my family,” the retiring councillor said.
He said family and work commitments made his council work difficult in recent years and he believed it was not right for him to hold the council seat when he can’t give enough time to it.
“We have achieved a lot,” he said of his years on the council, adding his thanks to all the council officials who have worked with him over the years.
“It’s been an honour to do what I’ve done for the last ten years. I have made fantastic friends out of it,” Cllr O’Neill said.

“It’s nice to step away with Matt,” Cllr O’Neill said, sharing that in his early days in politics he wanted to be like the more experienced councillor. They had been mayor and cathaoirleach in the same year and, he said, they got to know each other well that year, attending events and representing the county together.
“We made it look easy!” he said.
Saying Cllr Doran would be a huge loss to the council, Cllr O’Neill said he had no doubt the four other “fantastic councillors” would be returned in the local elections and he’s interested to see who comes with them.
“For now that’s it for me. I wouldn’t rule anything in or out in the future, but for now family and work come first,” Cllr O’Neill said.

Fortunate
Cllr Matt Doran said he considered himself to be a very fortunate councillor to have served 22 years “which have been incredible.”
Thanking the public for their “exceptional” courtesy during that time, Cllr Doran said he enjoyed every minute and every hour he has been on the County Council.
The bit of the job he is going to miss is building relationships with the public, he said.
He said the area meeting was always the most important for him, and he always tried to look after his own area of the county.

“To my colleagues here, past and present, it’s been an absolute pleasure. I enjoyed that side of things, working with you. I never felt any anger or envy. We are all trying to do our best and there is respect.
“I’m going to miss it terrible,” he said.
Cllr Doran said he has, so far, refused to think about ‘the end.’ He said his family are delighted they will see more of him now.
Cllr Cullen said: “Thank you on behalf of the municipal district. There’s no doubt about it, ye will be missed.”