Fergal Dennehy takes the reigns at City Hall
“This role is not just a title; it is a sacred trust bestowed upon me by the people of this great city.”
Those were the words of the new Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Fergal Dennehy as he took up the new role.
A Togher native, the Fianna Fáil councillor was elected by 23 votes in the council chamber where the ceremonial passing of the Lord Mayor’s chain took place shortly after.
He said: “I am deeply honoured to accept it and fully aware of the responsibility it carries. I pledge to work to acknowledge and strengthen our beautiful communities, to work with our young people to ensure that they can be the best that they can be, to collaborate with each and every elected member here across the political spectrum, to work closely with our executive and officials and to work with all stakeholders to make this city a place that all Corkonians can be proud of.”
In his remarks, he acknowledged his father, former lord mayor and TD John Dennehy who served as Ardmhéara Chorcai in 1984 acknowledging his leadership and collaboration with businesses and communities during his tenure.
Thanking the outgoing lord mayor, the newly elected lord mayor said: “I wish to pay tribute to our outgoing Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle. We are extremely fortunate in Cork to have had exceptional lord mayors over the years and Cllr Boyle has very much maintained this standard. Throughout his term, he represented Cork with pride and distinction on both national and international stages.”
During his speech the outgoing Lord Mayor remarked: “The greatest privilege I’ve had as Lord Mayor has been in meeting many of the wonderful people of our city, people engaged in activities that involves doing good for others, for their communities and ultimately for the city itself. Wonderful people doing excellent things that it has been my privilege as Ardmhéara to acknowledge. There are people I must thank for helping me do this role to the best of my ability.
“Our Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Honore Kamegni, whose historic election has been more than justified and I have huge pride for the ways my daughter, Saoirse, has performed her role as Lady Mayoress.”
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary were in attendance on the evening to watch Councillor Dennehy be elected as Ardmhéara Chorcaí.
The lord mayor announced that fellow Fianna Fáil member Cllr Margaret McDonnell will be the Deputy Lord Mayor.
The Deputy Lord Mayor said: “I am extremely honoured to be elected as Deputy Lord Mayor, and I look forward to working with the new elected Lord Mayor and supporting him in every way I can over the coming year.”
About the new lord mayor
First co-opted to Cork City Council in 2003, Cllr Dennehy was subsequently elected in 2004, 2014, 2019, and 2024, securing the first seat in the Cork City South-West Ward in the last two elections. Currently residing in Bishopstown, he has been a passionate community activist from a young age, inspired by his family’s strong legacy of service. His father, John Dennehy served as a city councillor, alderman, lord mayor of Cork and as a four term TD. Fergal's late mother, Phil Dennehy, and his father were founder members of Togher Community Association CLG over 50 years ago. Phil was also a founder member of Togher Meals on Wheels and was community council secretary for 13 years.
His father, John, is currently Chairman and has been so on many occasions over his 52 years of service. Fergal, Phil and John have a combined 110 service to community development and many projects.
Fergal has served as a community secretary for over 3 decades.
He is a founding member and the current secretary of the renowned Togher Boxing Club and remains deeply involved in community initiatives, including the Lehenaghmore Community Facilities Project.