Damian Boylan elected Lord Mayor of Cork

Cllr Damian Boylan has been elected the new Lord Mayor of Cork.

The Fine Gael councillor from Blarney, who represents Cork City’s North West Ward, was elected by 19 votes to eight with one abstention at the meeting in City Hall before the ceremonial passing of the historic Lord Mayor’s chain.

The new Lord Mayor, the 16th past pupil of the North Monastery to serve as Lord Mayor of Cork, said it was a “tremendous honour and a deeply humbling experience” to be elected.

“To be elected Lord Mayor of Cork, the city I love, is a privilege beyond anything I could have imagined when I was growing up as a young Mon boy,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Like many Cork people, I didn’t spend much time thinking about titles or offices.

“I was raised to believe that if something needed doing, you rolled up your sleeves and got involved. You worked hard. You helped where you could. You left things a little better than you found them.

“That simple philosophy is what first brought me into community life, then into business, and ultimately into public service.

“Tonight, I want to thank my fellow councillors for placing their trust in me.”

He paid tribute to the outgoing Lord Mayor, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, who he said represented Cork with dignity, commitment and enthusiasm.

The new Lord Mayor said he intends to focus on a very simple two-word message in the year ahead – “be sound”.

“Every Cork person understands exactly what that means,” he said.

“You won’t find it in any policy document. You won’t hear it in many boardrooms. But you will hear it every day across our city.

“Be decent. Be kind. Be fair. Look out for one another. Give somebody a hand when they need it. Show patience when it would be easier to show anger. Treat people with respect even when you disagree with them.

“It sounds simple because it is simple. Yet I believe it is one of the most powerful ideas we possess.

“Over the coming year, I hope to bring that message into schools across our city.

“Not a slogan. Not a campaign. A way of living.

“A reminder that every one of us has the ability to make life better for somebody else.

“One conversation at a time. One interaction at a time. One act of kindness at a time.”

The Lord Mayor also announced that fellow Fine Gael Cllr Gary O’Brien will be the Deputy Lord Mayor.

The Deputy Lord Mayor said he never imagined he would have the privilege of serving in the role so early in his time on Council.