Former Glanmire teacher elected Mayor of the County of Cork
Gillian Coughlan, councillor for the Bandon Kinsale Municipal District and former teacher at Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire has been elected to the office of Mayor of the County of Cork.
A Bandon native, Mayor Coughlan completed a degree in History and Political Science in Trinity College Dublin and returned to UCC to undertake a Higher Diploma in Education, before completing her training at her alma mater in Bandon. Gillian then began teaching History and CSPE in Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire.
Mayor Coughlan has stated that her initial priority will be to support the people and businesses of Cork county as Ireland emerges from the pandemic.
She recognised that lockdowns have been very difficult on people socially, psychologically, emotionally and financially.
“There has been an incredible show of resilience and solidarity in all sectors of society in Cork county, and Cork County Council together with the county’s voluntary and statutory agencies have played a vital role in supporting people. It is essential that as we move forward together, we don’t leave anyone behind,” Mayor Coughlan said.
Elected to Bandon Town Council for the first time in 2009, Mayor Coughlan has since worked with fellow representatives to secure funding for the Bandon Flood Relief project and the Bandon Water Main and Sewage Scheme in response to the devastating flooding experienced in the town.
Having been co-opted to Cork County Council in 2016, Gillian went on to top the poll in the Bandon Kinsale Municipal District in the 2019 Local Elections.
Continuing Project ACT throughout towns and villages across Cork County is also a priority for Mayor Coughlan.
“I also look forward to the continued town and village renewal and regeneration which has been accelerated through Project ACT. Social and economic recovery will benefit immensely from collaboration between the Council, businesses and volunteers, and I greatly look forward to meeting people countywide who give their time to enhancing their locales.
“By ensuring that each town and village puts its best foot forward, our towns and villages will emerge as great places for travel, business and great places to live,” she added.
Other priorities for the newly elected mayor will include the provision of affordable housing schemes, climate adaptation and mitigation and supporting heritage work in the county.
“I’m also looking forward to working alongside Cork County Council in advancing digitisation and education programmes such as those run through the Council’s Local Enterprise Offices and Library Services.”
She takes over from outgoing mayor, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley.