Laois County Council chamber was packed on Tuesday afternoon but not for the routine business of the monthly meeting.
Instead it was a special occasion as Cllr Seamus McDonald’s 40 years of unbroken public service was acknowledged.
From Rosenallis he was was first elected in 1985 to the old Tinnahinch area, which later became part of the bigger Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick district.
All the council’s top brass, as well as fellow councillors and many family members and friends of Cllr McDonald were in attendance to pay tribute to a man who was first elected in 1985 and was subsequently re-elected on a further eight occasions.
His most recent election success was in June of last year.
Also in attendance on Tuesday afternoon were three of his former Fianna Fáil council colleagues – Liam Hyland, John Moloney and Sean Fleming, all of whom later went on to serve as TDs and Ministers.
“It’s only right and fitting that your service is recognised,” said Cathaoirleach Barry Walsh.
“It’s a huge privilege to be here,” added Council CEO Michael Rainey. “Your name is synonymous with public service.
“Public life is a demanding career.”
Referencing “the healthy debates” that are a regular occurrence in the chamber, one of which had only occurred moments earlier about the presidential nomination process, Mr Rainey joked that “it takes huge stamina to listen to that for 40 years”.
But the Council CEO added on a serious note that Cllr McDonald had the “trust of his community and the trust of the electorate” and has “a legacy of service that spans generations in planning, housing, environmental and community issues”.
He also praised his “calmness and diplomacy on every occasion” and that he “is a gentleman to deal with”.
Council colleagues in attendance all then chipped in with their words of support and praise too.
First out of the traps was his Fianna Fáil district colleague Paddy Bracken, who did reference that they both stayed out of the other’s hinterland.
“I never went canvassing in Rosenallis and you never came into Mountmellick,” said Cllr Bracken to laughs from those in attendance.
He praised Cllr McDonald for his “loyalty and support” and for always being “honourable and fair”.
“Seamus never says a bad word about anyone or to anyone,” added Cllr Paschal McEvoy, another of the Fianna Fáil crew.
Remembering a car journey with Seamus in Cllr McEvoy’s early days in the role, he marvelled at the never-ending list of calls that came to his old Nokia phone.
On the same trip they stopped into Moloney’s famed Gaelic Bar in Mountmellick and “it was like God had walked in” said Cllr McEvoy who added that Cllr McDonald was “an absolute legend” in his native Rosenallis.
Cllr Ollie Clooney described him as a “marathon man” whose longevity was “down to years of hard work”.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said he was a beacon of “common sense”. “Anyone knows you don’t get re-elected and re-elected and re-elected if you’re not doing your job. You are so well regarded in your own community.
“Seamus might only say two lines – but people listen. When he wants to speak it’s usually worthwhile.”
Cllr Paddy Buggy (Fine Gael) was involved in a marathon battle with Cllr McDonald in the most recent election, eventually falling short.
“I was disappointed when I lost but what took the sting out of it was that you won it,” said Cllr Buggy, who was co-opted a couple of months later to fill the vacancy left by Willie Aird’s elevation to the Dáil.
“There’s nothing simple about reaching 40 years,” added Cllr Padraig Fleming. “That’s down to hard work on the ground. Seamus is a quiet man but gets a lot of things done.”
Cllr John King joined the meeting remotely and after three calls of “Can you hear me?”, said that Cllr McDonald was “like a good whisky … the older he gets the better he gets”.
Cllr John Joe Fennelly said he knew Cllr McDonald for 26 years, since he was first elected himself. He had a particularly personal memory of Cllr McDonald that he shared.
“You were Cathaoirleach in 1996 when my father died (who was a huge Fianna Fáil man himself though was never elected). You were at the wake on the night before and walked beside the hearse the next day in the Guard of Honour. We, as a family, will never forget that.”
“You’re not finished yet,” said Cllr James Kelly. “You’ve plenty of years in you still.”
“While you’re here you’ll be going strong,” said Cllr Ben Brennan.
“I would like to thank you for your warm welcome and words of advice when I joined the council,” said Cllr Marie Tuohy who said that she was thankful she wasn’t in the same municipal district.
“I think if it was a choice between you and me, my sister-in-law would vote for you,” added Cllr Tuohy.
Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley said Cllr McDonald was “a good friend and colleague” who “knows his area like the back of his hand”.
“I’m delighted to see you reach this major milestone.”
“You’re one of the elite few,” said Cllr Mulligan in recognition of Cllr McDonald’s long service.
“The respect and kind words from all sides of the chamber is a testament to you,” said Cllr Vivienne Phelan.
With the praise ringing in his ears, Cllr McDonald then spoke himself. He said he “enjoys every minute” in the role and said he “always got great support in every department in the council”.
“I’ve seen huge change and a lot of that change has been very good. Laois is a great county and I’m very proud to have been part of its development.”
After the speeches, a number of presentations were made to Cllr McDonald while there were then refreshments in the council and further celebrations in Moloney’s in Mountmellick that evening.
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