The new County Manager for Mayo, Mr Peter Hynes, takes up his role from today, (May 14 ), replacing outgoing Mayo County Manager, Mr Des Mahon. Mr Mahon, who held the position for 19 years and who retired last November, has been represented by Mr Joe Beirne as Acting County Manager for the last six months.
Accepting his new title, Mr Hynes told members of Mayo County Council this week: “It’s a privilege for me to serve this fantastic county. For the past 30 years I have regarded Mayo as my home. I don’t claim to be a management guru. No one person has achieved anything by working alone. We here will work as a team because management is the ultimate team sport.”
He went on to outline what he believes will be the challenges that face Mayo in the coming years. “Mayo has made great progress over the last 30 years, but we now need to consolidate this progress as we face serious challenges in the years ahead. Areas such as employment, population, maintaining services and avoiding the decline of rural areas will be among the key areas. Other issues like gas, wind and wave energy, and biomass also need to be grasped in Mayo and we need to look at more ways of developing tourism through the likes of walking and cycling, and get involved in creative industries, such as digital media.”
Mr Hynes added that he hopes to oversee the building of a better Mayo. “This is about building the brand Mayo and we will play to win.”
Originally from Moycullen, Co Galway, Mr Hynes started work with Mayo County Council as an architect. In 1989 he became head architect with the council and in 2001 he became director of services for the Westport and Belmullet area and town manager for Westport. During his address to the members he also thanked his wife Catherine and family for their support and all his colleagues in the council over the years.
The meeting took place in Ballyhaunis, home town of outgoing cathaoirleach, Cllr John Cribben, to whom tributes were also paid. The meeting was addressed by Martin Fitzmaurice, chairperson of the local chamber of commerce, and Cannon Joe Cooney said a pre-meeting prayer.
Fine Gael whip Cllr Joe Mellett said Cllr Cribben had ‘played full back, midfield, and full forward for Mayo this year’. “You have been in every position. The people of Mayo and Ballyhaunis can only be very happy with what you have achieved for the county this year.”
Fianna Fáil Cllr Al McDonnell said, “You have been an outstanding ambassador for the chain and the county. I have spoken to a number of people involved in groups at whose events you have spoken this year and they have held you in the highest regard. You had so many events every week and did us proud at each. And if you ever become a Dáil candidate you will be a serious opposition within your own party and to us.”
After the elected members approved his appointment for a seven-year term, Peter Hynes outlined his vision for Mayo in 2020 as four simple words. ‘Sustainable, inclusive, prosperous and proud.”
