Ian Doyle reflects on ‘eventful’ time as Mayor of County Cork
‘ALTHOUGH MY TERM HAS BEEN A SHORT ONE IT HAS BEEN FILLED WITH SO MANY HIGHLIGHTS AND WONDERFUL MEMORIES’
WHEN Charleville’s Ian Doyle took over the chain of office as the Mayor Of County Cork in February, replacing the outgoing incumbent Christopher O’Sullivan following his election to Dáil Eireann, he knew his tenure in office would be a short one.
However, neither he nor anyone else could have predicted that within a matter of weeks the Covid-19 pandemic would sweep across the globe and he would preside over Cork County Council during arguably the most challenging period in its history.
“I knew that County Mayor was a demanding role, but nothing could have possibly prepared me for what was coming down the line,” he said.
Speaking to The Corkman this week after handing over the chain of office to the newly elected County Mayor, Youghal’s Cllr Mary Lenihan Foley, Cllr Doyle reflected on what has been, by any measure, an eventful few months for Cork and its citizens.
“You could say that alright. Although I think the word eventful would be something of an understatement,” laughed Cllr Doyle.
“Before we go into that, I would just like to say how much of an honour and privilege it has been for me to serve as County Mayor. As a local politician you strive to work on behalf of all your constituents and I would like to think that I have done that to the very best of my abilities for all the people of Cork during my short term in office,” said Cllr Doyle.
“Certainly, I will always look back on the past few months with an immense sense of pride and it would be remiss of me not to thank every single one of my fellow councillors and all of the council staff who have given me their unwavering support during my time as mayor,” he added.
Cllr Doyle was also full of praise for the people of Cork for the manner in which they had responded to the huge challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the county went into lockdown, Cllr Doyle, hit the highways and byways of Cork, seeing for himself at first hand the work being done by communities across the county to ensure the needs of their most vulnerable members were met.
“I have travelled to every corner of the county over the past few months. Along the way I have met so many incredible people who have given their time and efforts, without seeking favour or reward, on behalf of their respective communities,” he said.
“It has been truly inspiring to see at first hand the good that can come out adversity and what can be done by individuals and indeed whole communities when they come together for the common good.”
It would be easy to think that Cllr Doyle might have preferred a more orthodox term in office. However, he insisted he has enjoyed every minute of it and would always look back on his tenure with an immense sense of pride and satisfaction.
“When I took over as Mayor I said was only took aware of what an honour it was to be able to represent the people of Cork. To be able to do that at a time of such great uncertainty and to look back on how we as a community have overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19 has been a huge privilege,” said Cllr Doyle.
“Although my term as Mayor has been a short one it has been filled with so many highlights and wonderful memories. I wish Cllr Lenihan-Foley all of the best for her time as County Mayor and hope that she enjoys her time as much as I have done,” he added.