Our 2025 Remembered series is brought to you in association with Bloom HQ, Mountrath
This was a big day in Laois County Council in June of this year.
It’s always one of the big days in Laois County Council and it was no different this afternoon when Fine Gael’s Barry Walsh was officially elected as the new Cathaoirleach for the next 12 months.
The council chamber was packed to capacity as the Ballyroan native was joined by family members, friends, neighbours and supporters.
His election to the top job was a mere formality, though he did have to go through a vote – seeing off Independent candidate Tommy Mulligan by 12 to seven.
With the support of his four Fine Gael colleagues, six from Fianna Fáil and Independent Ollie Clooney, that result was a foregone conclusion.
Cllr Walsh is relatively new to the political scene, co-opted to the council initially in 2022 following the retirement of Mary Sweeney. He was then elected in his own right at last year’s Local Elections.
His elevation to the role continues a proud Ballyroan tradition and he follows in the footsteps of Mary Sweeney (2013-14) and Charlie McDonald (1969-70 and 1977-78) as well as his great-great-grandfather James McMahon (1920) as serving as the county’s first citizen.
Cllr Walsh’s wife Gemma and children Cillian (14), Ellie (12) and Oisin (10) were there for the ceremonial handing over of the chain from his predecessor Cllr Padraig Fleming.
It was a proud occasion though it was a particularly poignant and bittersweet moment for Cllr Walsh whose mother Dymphna passed away in February of this year and didn’t get to see her son accept the chain of office.
Barry’s dad Peter and sister Michelle were in the chamber as well as a selection of aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and many members of a very proud Ballyroan community.
Former Ballyroan Fine Gael councillors Mary Sweeney and Charlie McDonald were among those in attendance with family members as was Deputy Willie Aird on what was his first appearance at a council meeting since he was elected as a TD.
Cllr Walsh balances his council duties alongside his professional work a self-employed quantity surveyor and will get a top up of close to €20,000 on top of the councillor’s basic allowance over the duration of the 12 months.
Though a privileged position, it’s also a very busy one with Cllr Fleming attending over 100 events in an official capacity during his time in the role. Chief among them are likely to be an official visit to Canada in the autumn and a trip to New York for St Patrick’s Day.
On his big day, the praise came thick and fast for Cllr Walsh. His proposer, party colleague Paddy Buggy, described him as a “great ambassador, great colleague … with huge integrity and great foresight”.
“It’s a proud day for you and your lovely young family,” said his seconder Cllr John King.
Defeated candidate Tommy Mulligan offered his “huge congratulations” and added that “you’re a very good fella and a testament to how good a person you are is the huge crowd from Ballyroan here today”.
However, Cllr Mulligan added that while it wasn’t personal he again hit out at the pact between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael that sees them share the various chairperson and vice-chair roles. It’s a topic that Cllr Mulligan has raised regularly, most recently at the AGM of the Portlaoise District.
“I disapprove of this pact to exclude,” he said. “I get it at national level but there is no need for it at local level. We are all in it for the same reason. There is no need for the conversation – ‘whose side are you on’.
Outgoing cathaoirleach Padraig Fleming said that Cllr Walsh will be a “thoughtful and clear-thinking” chairman while Cllr Ollie Clooney said that: “You’ll be a breath of fresh air. You have youth on your side and your family and community behind you. Onwards and upwards.”
In an emotional speech, Cllr Walsh referenced his late mother, saying, “I know she’d be proud looking down today”. “I want to thank my mam and dad for moulding me into the person I am.”
He said he had a great working relationship with his fellow councillors and said he aimed to bring “honesty and integrity” to the role and would “endeavour to be open, approachable and fair”.
He highlighted his main priorities as: Active Travel, Dereliction, Community Projects, Affordable & Sustainable Housing, Support for Local Enterprise & Jobs and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development.
Cllr Paschal McEvoy was elected as the leas-Cathaoirleach, defeating Caroline Dwane-Stanley (Independent).
And with that the gathering moved to the council canteen for refreshments. A slightly livelier celebration will take place in one of Ballyroan’s establishments this evening.
Our 2025 Remembered series is brought to you in association with Bloom HQ, Mountrath
SEE ALSO – Check out more from 2025 Remembered series here
