‘Superwoman’ Linehan Foley elected as new county mayor

Councillor Mary Linehan Foley has been elected as the new Mayor of the County of Cork for the second time, becoming the first female councillor to do so.

The Independent Youghal native was nominated by Cllr Alan Coleman and seconded by Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy at a special meeting of Cork County Council on Friday.

Cllr Linehan Foley was first been elected to Cork County Council in 2014. Her first term as mayor was served during Covid-19 lockdown from 2020 to 2021.

She began her political career in 1999 when she was elected to Youghal Town Council following in the footsteps of her father Paddy Linehan who was a member of the town council for 46 years.

One of the new mayor’s key priorities will be to support increased housing supply along with the infrastructure needed to support growing communities.

The mayor also said she will be advocating for the “long overdue” upgrade of the N25 between Youghal and Midleton, while championing the expansion of rail services, and pushing for improved public transport links.

Addressing the chamber at Cork County Hall, she thanked outgoing mayor Cllr Joe Carroll and said he will be a “very, very hard act to follow”.

She said: “It's a tremendous honour to be elected Mayor of the County of Cork and even a greater privilege to wear this historic chain of office for the second time.

“This role is not easy, and particularly as an Independent.

“The last time I had the honour of serving as mayor was in June 2020, a time when the world looked very, very different. Our roads were empty, and every meeting was held online.

“This time around I'm especially looking forward to forging more personal connections with my fellow elected members and with communities across every corner of county Cork.

“I was always the wild one growing up, always talking, and to be fair, I've never stopped. Now I speak on behalf of the people of county Cork and that is a responsibility I will embrace with pride,” said Cllr Linehan Foley.

Welcoming the new mayor was Fianna Fáil councillor Frank O’Flynn who described her as a “passionate community activist”.

He said: “This council is in great hands in the year ahead because you have a proven track record of delivery of service and hard work.”

Fine Gael councillor Sinead Sheppard also warmly welcomed the new mayor, saying it was fantastic to see a woman take up the role again.

She said: “I think we could count on one hand the amount of women who have taken up the role of mayor. It's more women we need to see in this position.

“Not enough young women and young girls see women in these kinds of positions and to have a female mayor setting and holding the chair of Cork county is very special for all of us. You are a superwoman, and I am thrilled for you,” added Cllr Sheppard.

Fianna Fáil councillor Ian Doyle was elected as Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork.

Outgoing mayor, Cllr Joe Carroll, said he was proud of the progress made on issues like roads and housing during his term, but said there is still a lot to do.

He said: “This county is not getting its fair share from central government, and we have to keep working on that.

“I am filled with hope and optimism for the future of our county.

“It has been an unforgettable journey; one I will cherish always. I'd like to think I did my county some service,” he concluded.