FF add some ‘Power’ as Declan joins the ticket
FIANNA Fáil National Constituency Committee have added some power to this year’s local elections having recruited local man Declan Power to partner Richard Cooney in the team for Drogheda Rural.
“I am absolutely delighted and honoured to be a candidate for Fianna Fáil in the local elections for Drogheda Rural. This is a new venture and challenge for me personally and one that I believe if elected can make a significant difference and contribution in the area.”
“I am the manager of the Barbican Centre in Drogheda for the last four and a half years and have helped transform the building into a community events centre for entertainment, meetings, training, education and social activities. One key feature of the centre includes creating employment and training opportunities via a Community Employment (CE) Scheme for participants to enter or re-enter the work force.”
“I have guided and directed many community organisations to raise thousands of euro while using our facilities and was instrumental in 2018 in obtaining funding from SEAI to reduce our carbon footprint and become more environmental friendly and energy efficient with our new LED lighting systems where our users can be more comfortable and reassured that we have their best interests and community at heart,’ he stated.
Originally from Killaloe in Co. Clare, he moved to Drogheda in 1998. After 12 years living in Drogheda he moved to Clogherhead in 2010. He is married to Ciara Gorman, a Clogherhead native, and has two children, Éabha (13) and Senan (10). He also spent 12 years hurling with the Wolfetones Hurling Club in Drogheda.
He has a career background in sports development and management and spent almost 20 years working in various roles in Coaching & Games Development for Cumann Lúthchleas Gael (GAA) creating many local initiatives for developing Gaelic Games incorporating education, healthy lifestyles and employment programmes for 18 to 23 year olds in areas of economic and social disadvantage.
He was the coach of the Dublin Minor Hurling team that won the Leinster Hurling title in 2005 and with the Louth Hurling team that reached their last Nicky Rackard final in 2012.
Moving to Clogherhead in 2010, he actively got involved in coaching juvenile teams culminating in creating a football nursery programme for 4-6 year olds and held the role of PRO for three years with Dreadnots GFC. During that time, he also organised the Juvenile ‘Oscar style’ awards and social discos.
Last year, Declan, along with many locals from Clogherhead participated in the ‘OSCARS’ fundraiser and helped raise over €100,000 for the new Lifeboat due to be launched later this year that ultimately will enhance the Life boat service along the North East coast.
“I have always been a community activist and believe now is the right time for me to enter local politics in order to bring my experience, knowledge and a can do attitude to the table. I have the personality and a proven track record of achieving results.
‘I’m asking people in my area to reach out to me at any time with any further issues or concerns that they might have.’