Chief Executive of Laois County Council, Mr John Mulholland has said his farewells to the Council and the County, saying Laois is ‘blessed in terms of its location and its people’.
Mr Mulholland announced his intention to step down in February and formally acknowledged that decision at the County Council’s monthly meeting this week.
The Galway native will perhaps be best remembered in Laois for his work in spearheading the developments at Junction 17 in Togher, Portlaoise.
Mr Mulholland was appointed as the Council’s CEO in 2015 and spoke fondly about his time in the position.
“To say I’ve enjoyed my time here as Chief Executive would be a gross understatement,” he said. “I’ve had a fabulous time here in Laois.
“Of course, I knew the County well before I came here, and I think at every point in the turn, no matter what the programme was, I got great personal value out of it.
“It is a period, from 2015 to 2024, that I will look back on with fondness.
“I’ve been exceptionally lucky and thoroughly privileged to be in this position, and in undertaking the role for nearly nine years.
“I’ve been lucky at a number of levels: one is working with such committed, honourable, and driven staff.
“The other is working with enthusiastic people in community development and in businesses; and I got a great kick out that, I have to say.”
Mr Mulholland was also full of praise for the County he has called home for close to a decade.
“I love the County and its communities; I love the landscape; the best of farming and farming practices; great towns and villages,” he said.
“And I have to say, on my engagement with people, there is an innate kindness and decency in the people of Laois that you’d find it hard to find anywhere else.
“I would say there’s an understated elegance in Laois people that is very impressive from my point of view.
Mr Mulholland chose four special memories that he called the “highlights” of his time as Council CEO.
Firstly, he spoke about the 2016 commemorative events surrounding the 100-year anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
“It was a very special occasion, where Laois people came together in the newly constructed plaza (outside Council buildings),” Mr Mulholland said.
“Local Laois talent, particularly young people contributed to what was a dignified and memorable occasion.”
He also remembered fondly his trip to New York in that same year, when he travelled over with then Cllr John Moran.
The pair met with Mayor Bill De Blasio, George Mitchell, and Laois TD, Charlie Flanagan in Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of New York.
“Each one spoke about the impact of Laois, and Ballylinan in particular, through (Ballylinan native) Russell Grace’s role as Mayor of that City when the Statue of Liberty was received on behalf of the United States,” Mr Mulholland said.
Next, Mr Mulholland referenced a Council meeting from October 2017 where the first steps were taken on the developments at Junction 17, a project synonymous with his time in the role.
He said this meeting was the catalyst for take out a loan, make progress, and set a strategic direction for the economic development of the County.
Mr Mulholland said this demonstrated that “Local Authorities need not be dependent on other outside agencies, and can take up the cudgels and do things for themselves.”
Mr Mulholland said the project had surpassed his wildest expectations, adding that he hopes to see similar projects flourish in Portarlington, Mountmellick and Mountrath.
Lastly, the outgoing CEO spoke about a Council meeting from August 2018 where the matter of housing in the County was addressed.
“We got a sense from you as members that there was no room for anything other than housing delivery in this County,” he said.
“Last year and the year before we have set all kinds of records – collectively, not just the management team or teams in housing, but the County.”
Mr Mulholland recalled his time as a staff member within Laois County Council as far back as the 1990’s and said he thought of Laois back then as “the land of opportunity,” and said he hopes it will be “a land of opportunity for other people in our County, particularly younger people.
“I truly believe that opportunity is there. Looking around Portlaoise, and some of the other towns, such as Graiguecullen and Portarlington, there’s a blank sheet there in terms of the capacity.
“All we need is agreement and more funding to continue to provide those services, whether it’s economic development, social services, or sporting and recreational.
“The County is blessed in terms of its location and its people.”
Mr Mulholland concluded by paying tribute to the Council’s staff for their “monumental effort” during his tenure.
He singled out Ms Irene Delaney and Ms Michelle McCormack for special praise, comparing Ms McCormack to Radar from 1970’s and 80’s TV show, Mash, in knowing what will happen before it even happens.
The County Councillors present each paid tribute to the outgoing Mr Mulholland, with over a dozen recognising his impact on the developments at Junction 17.
Cllr Aidan Mullins began the procession, saying Mr Mulholland “always had the best intentions of Laois at heart.”
Cllr Mullins said Mr Mulholland’s legacy “will speak for itself” and that the people of Laois “should be very thankful.”
Cllr James Kelly said Mr Mulholland was “a great ambassador for the County” who promoted Laois as a festival destination.
Cllr Marie Tuohy commended Mr Mulholland on his “easy rhetoric” and said he had been “a force for good” in Laois.
Cllr Paddy Bracken said Mr Mulholland was a pleasure to work with and thanked the outgoing CEO for his efforts in housing, saying that would be his lasting legacy.
Cllr Seamus McDonald said Mr Mulholland “achieved a lot for Laois,” while Cllr John Joe Fennelly thanked Mr Mulholland for his dedication.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald thanked Mr Mulholland for spearheading the developments at Junction 17 Portlaoise, saying “the IDA haven’t the greatest record in providing jobs for Laois,” so the Council had to do it themselves.
Cllr Padraig Fleming said Mr Mulholland was always “calm, cool, and able to deal with things in a professional manner,” thanking the CEO for his work on the Portlaoise Library as well as Junction 17 and housing across the County.
Cllr Ollie Clooney said Mr Mulholland “should take a bow” for the work he has done in Laois, adding “it was great to know you.”
Cllr John King said Mr Mulholland “had shown great vision” during his nine-year term while Cllr PJ Kelly said the CEO always had “good, straight-forward advice.”
Cllr Conor Bergin praised Mr Mulholland’s work with the Laois diaspora and called the CEO “visionary” for his work in the County.
Cllr Barry Walsh said he has always admired Mr Mulholland’s skills as both a leader and an eloquent speaker, while Cllr Willie Aird said the CEO “leaves Laois far better than he found it.”
Cllr Thomasina Connell said Mr Mulholland has “an enate ability to surmount very difficult challenges” and that he is “a fair person and a great communicator.”
An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Paschal McEvoy concluded by commending Mr Mulholland for his housing strategy and his vision for housing in Laois, before the Council made a small presentation to their outgoing CEO.
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