Previously holding the title of youngest person to be elected to council, Athenry-Oranmore councillor, Albert Dolan, has broken records yet again, being named the youngest Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council on Friday, June 21.
Cllr Dolan, who is now 25 years old, was formerly the youngest person to be elected to council aged just 20 years old during the 2019 local elections. Following a successful campaign, Cllr Dolan performed well in the 2019 elections, receiving a whopping 1,720 first preference votes and sailing past the 1,565 vote quota to be elected on the first count. This success continued into this year's local elections, with Cllr Dolan comfortably retaining his seat with 2,393 first preference votes, surpassing the vote quota of 1,718 by 675 votes.
Cllr Dolan was nominated for the role by Fianna Fáil party colleague, Cllr Mary Hoade, at Galway County Council's Annual General Meeting in County Hall on June 21, a selection which was seconded by Cllr Jimmy McClearn. Following the unanimous election, Cllr Dolan was named as Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, succeeding former Athenry-Oranmore Cllr, Liam Carroll.
Shortly after the handing over of the Cathaoirleach's chain, Cllr Dolan addressed the room, sharing his thanks to his parents, Michael and Antoinette, his girlfriend Caroline and his party colleague for the 'confidence and trust' placed in him.
"Galway is a county like no other. Our collective duty is clear - to enhance the lives of its residents. I pledge to listen to the things that matter the most, facing the role with optimism and determination."
Cllr Dolan went on say that the thing that makes Galway special 'is the people who call it home' and that it is the responsibility of Galway County councillors to 'put political differences aside' to 'foster an environment in which they can thrive'.
"Together we will make a difference."
Leas Chathaoirleach
Supporting Cllr Dolan in his role as Cathaoirleach will be Cllr Ollie Turner, who was elected Leas Chathaoirleach at the same AGM. Cllr Turner, a well known radio presenter turned first-time politician, was elected as Fine Gael councillor for Dunmore in the recent elections.
Nominated as Leas Chathaoirleach by Cllr Jimmy McClearn and seconded by Cllr Mary Hoade, Cllr Turner joked that he would have to 'arm wrestle' former Leas Chathaoirleach, Cllr Evelyn Parsons for the chain and that the 'last time I had a medal around my neck was for a Miltown Sports Day in 1987'.
