At the recent AGM of Laois County Council as the tributes flowed to the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Padraig Fleming, the words that jumped out were those from the softly-spoken CEO of the council, Michael Rainey.
“It was how he attended to his role as first citizen. It is a big deal. It adds dignity and importance to any occasion,” said Rainey.
The Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council is the county’s representative and ambassador at official functions and there’s no doubt the ‘dignity and importance’ that Rainey referenced is helped in no small part by the actual chain of office that comes with the role.
For the next 12 months that role will be filled – and that chain will be worn – by Barry Walsh from Ballyroan.
He’s something of an accidental politician, having been co-opted to replace the retiring Mary Sweeney three years ago.
While that invitation came out of the blue, he is the epitome of a hard-working community man. And that’s the first starting point for any local representative.
Hugely proud of where he comes from, there is a huge respect for him there too, evidenced by the big vote he got in the Ballyroan boxes in last year’s Local Elections and how the council chamber was packed to the rafters for his election as Cathaoirleach last month.
A self-employed quantity surveyor, married with a young family, he already had plenty on his plate prior to stepping into this position.
But he enjoys helping people, getting things done, seeing improvements. He has no problem saying that he enjoys filling out forms.
A recent coaching officer and juvenile chairman in Ballyroan-Abbey GAA club, heavily involved in the Ballyroan Blue Stars Basketball club and one of the driving forces behind the redevelopment of the site of the old Ballyroan boys school.
He once sat in those classrooms but since the building of a new school in the village, the old boys premises has fallen into serious disrepair. But the sod will soon be turned on an an exciting new project, incorporating a playground, a multi-sport outdoor area and a community hub. All going well, he’ll be at the opening in his role as Cathaoirleach.
He also has trips to Canada and New York to look forward to.
He dropped into the LaoisToday offices last week for a chat about his journey, his experience of politics so far and what he’d like to see achieved over the next year.
You can listen to the episode in full below.
SEE ALSO – Proud and emotional day as Barry Walsh is elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council
