7 June 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Clonakilty native, Councillor Christopher O’Sullivan has been elected Mayor of the County of Cork while Independent Councillor Martin Coughlan has been elected Deputy Mayor this afternoon in Cork County Hall.
Mayor O’Sullivan has been a Fianna Fáil Councillor with Cork County Council since he was co-opted in 2007 following his father Christy’s election to Dáil Éireann.
Mayor O’Sullivan (37) is the fourth member of his family to follow a career in politics and has previously stood successfully for election in 2009 and 2014. This year, topping the poll in the Skibbereen West Cork Electoral Area, he was elected after the first count garnering over 2700 of first preference votes.
In his native Clonakilty, Mayor O’Sullivan has seen his profile go from strength to strength following a very successful three year term as Chairperson of Clonakilty Chamber of Commerce. Commenting on the role he described how he had“placed a significant emphasis on developing tourism initiatives for Clonakilty town as well as the surrounding region with key projects delivered such as the Clonakilty Greenway and Castlefreke Rathbarry walkway.” Mayor O Sullivan went on to say “As a member of Cork County Council I have always placed enormous importance on community and supporting community festivals and events such as the fantastic Clonakilty Street Carnival.”
An avid wildlife enthusiast and bird watcher Mayor O’Sullivan was one of the inaugural guides with the popular Atlantic Whale and Wildlife tours. Established in 2018, the tours have been very successful in terms of both visitor numbers and the variety of species spotted such as Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales and common dolphins.
Mayor O’Sullivan highlighted how his environmental interests will be a particular focus during his term, “Climate change and environmentalism are very high on my agenda and I consider this to be an opportune time to promote a number of initiatives, including changes to our fleet, with hybrid and electric vehicles, and installing water bottle refilling stations across our County.”
“This is going to be a very important year for this new Council and during my term as Mayor I am determined to identify and avail of new opportunities, market Cork and continue the proud record Cork County Council has of supporting and engaging with our wonderful county communities. “
Mayor O Sullivan noting the significance and responsibility of the mayoral role said “I am conscious of the importance of delivering on a number of key issues such as housing and roads and will continue to advance the steps that have been taken in this regard to date.”
The new Mayor went on to say “Highlighting the importance of the Arts is something I am very passionate about and I want to capitalise on the enormous talent we have here in Cork as well as promoting our performance centres, theatres and creative spaces to their very best. I am going to put on the Cork County Jersey and be a Mayor for the entire county. I am most looking forward to this position and will endeavour to serve the people of Cork with commitment and dedication.”
