Strength of community evident in Mayo village as it hosts council meeting
THE monthly meeting of Mayo County Council went on tour to the cathaoirleach's home place of Bonniconlon yesterday.
Councillor John O'Hara received warm praise from elected representatives for his leadership as chairperson of the local authority over the past year both on the local, national and international stage.
Humble, honest and sincere were some of the words used to describe the cathaoirleach who, outside his work with the council and ESB, is a well known figure as chairperson of Bonniconlon Agricultural Show.
Accepting the kind words, Councillor O'Hara was keen to point out that council and community work like the show is a team effort. “It's all about people,” he said, and no one can do anything on their own.
As he heads towards the end of his tenure as cathaoirleach, Councillor O'Hara cited a 'wish list' that will make Bonniconlon an even better place in which to live, including traffic calming, the community park and resolving issues for 14 households who don't have clean water.
The council's chief executive, Kevin Kelly, said coming into the village, the strength of the community in Bonniconlon is evident, and he congratulated the community and also the cathaoirleach on a very successful year.
Local community representatives Vincent Neary and John Fox welcomed the councillors and officials to Bonniconlon and highlighted the various things that make it a great community, from the show to the book club, ICA to GAA, Foróige, and the list goes on.
On their Bonniconlon cathaoirleach, Mr. Fox said John O'Hara is a hard worker, good listener, and a very good communicator one and one, and the result is that he has topped the poll on three occasions.
At the meeting, stalwarts of the local Bonniconlon and north Mayo community, the late Bridie Greavy and Paddy O'Toole, were remembered, with the meeting adjourned as a mark of respect for 15 minutes to mark their passing.
A former councillor, Bridie Greavy's enormous contribution to the community in Bonniconlon was recalled by members, as was the legacy of former TD and minister Paddy O'Toole, who served during difficult days for the State.
Born in Doolough, but later living in Ballina, Paddy O'Toole was part of a unique trio in north Mayo.
Councillor Gerry Coyle recalled three houses standing together outside Geesala that each produced a member of Dáil Éireann - his father Henry Coyle in his home house, Patrick Lindsay and Paddy O’Toole.
Patrick Lindsay, he said, referred to it as 'Parliamentary Promenade'.
There were words of sympathy too for the late Garda Kevin Flatley, who died while on duty in Dublin, and to the council's chief executive, Kevin Kelly, on the recent death of his mother.