Cllr. Gillian Coughlan elected as Mayor of the County of Cork

After completing a degree in History and Political Science in Trinity College, Dublin, Mayor Coughlan returned to UCC to undertake the Higher Diploma in Education, completing her training at her alma mater in Bandon and subsequently teaching History and CSPE in Colaiste an Phiarsaigh, Gleann Maghair, trí mhéan na Gaeilge.

In her tenure in Bandon Town Council, after she was first elected in 2009, Mayor Coughlan worked with her fellow representatives to secure funding for the Bandon Flood Relief project and the Bandon Water Main and Sewage Scheme in response to the devastating flooding experienced in the town. Having been co-opted to Cork County Council in 2016, Mayor Coughlan went on to top the poll in the Bandon Kinsale Municipal District in the 2019 Local Elections.

Mayor Coughlan has stated that her initial priority will be to support the people and businesses of Cork County as Ireland emerges from the pandemic. Recognising that lockdowns have been very difficult on people socially, psychologically, emotionally and financially Mayor Coughlan highlighted how, “There has been an incredible show of resilience and solidarity in all sectors of society in Cork County, and Cork County Council together with the county’s voluntary and statutory agencies have played a vital role in supporting people. It is essential that as we move forward together, we don’t leave anyone behind.”

“I also look forward to the continued town and village renewal and regeneration which has been accelerated through Project ACT. Social and economic recovery will benefit immensely from collaboration between the Council, businesses and volunteers, and I greatly look forward to meeting people Countywide who give their time to enhancing their locales. By ensuring that each town and village puts its best foot forward, our towns and villages will emerge as great places for travel, business and great places to live.”

Other priorities for Mayor Coughlan include the provision of affordable housing schemes, climate adaptation and mitigation and supporting heritage work in the County.

“I’m also looking forward to working alongside Cork County Council in advancing digitisation and education programmes such as those run through the Council’s Local Enterprise Offices and Library Services.”

A native and resident of Bandon with her husband Donough Coughlan, and their three children, Aidan, Maeve and Ronan, Mayor Coughlan has been involved in many community groups including Bandon Walled Town, Irish Red Cross, Age Friendly Bandon, Bandon 1916 Commemoration Committee and is the current Cathaoirleach of Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan.

Toghadh An Clr. Gillian Coughlan mar Mhéara Chontae Chorcaí

Toghadh Gillian Coughlan, Comhairleoir do Cheantar Bardasach Dhroichead na Bandan-Chionn tSáile, chuig oifig Mhéara Chontae Chorcaí, tar éis gairme fada ag obair lena pobal áitiúil agus ag déanamh ionadaíochta ar mhuintir Dhroichead na Bandan i gComhairle Baile Dhroichead na Bandan agus ansin i gCeantar Bardasach Dhroichead na Bandan-Chionn tSáile mar bhall de Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí.

Tar éis di céim a bhaint amach sa Stair agus san Eolaíocht Pholaitiúil i gColáiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath, d’fhill an Méara Coughlan ar UCC chun tabhairt fé Ard-Dioplóma san Oideachas, ag críochnú a cuid oiliúna ag a hAlma Mater i nDroichead na Bandan. Ina dhiaidh sin thosnaigh sí ag múineadh Staire agus CSPE i gColáiste an Phiarsaigh, Gleann Maghair , trí mheán na Gaeilge.

Toghadh An Clr. Gillian Coughlan  go Comhairle Baile Dhroichead na Bandan den chéad uair in 2009, agus le linn a tréimhse ansin d’oibrigh sí lena comh-ionadaithe chun maoiniú a fháil do thionscadal Faoisimh Tuilte Dhroichead na Bandan agus do Scéim Príomhphíobán Uisce agus Séarachas Dhroichead na Bandan mar fhreagairt ar na tuilte tubaisteacha a tharla sa bhaile. Tar éis a comhthoghadh chuig Comhairle Contae Chorcaí in 2016, bhí Méara Coughlan barr na vótaíochta i dToghcháin Áitiúla 2019 do Cheantar Bardasach Dhroichead na Bandan-Chionn tSáile.

Deir an Méara Coughlan gurb é a príomhthosaíocht ná tacú le daoine agus gnólachtaí Chontae Chorcaí de réir mar a thagann Éire as an bpaindéim. Ag aithint di go raibh an dianghlasáil ana-dheacair ar dhaoine go sóisialta, go síceolaíoch, go mothúchánach agus ó thaobh airgeadais de , dúirt an Méara Coughlan an méid seo, “Tá athléimneacht agus dlúthpháirtíocht dochreidte léirithe i ngach earnáil den tsochaí i gContae Chorcaí, agus bhí  ról ríthábhachtach ag Comhairle Contae Chorcaí mar aon le saorálaithe an chontae agus  gníomhaireachtaí reachtúla i dtacú le daoine. Tá sé riachtanach agus sinne ag bogadh ar aghaidh le chéile, nach bhfágfaimid aon duine taobh thiar dúinn. "

“Táim ag tnúth freisin le hathnuachan agus athghiniúint leanúnach na mbailte agus na sráidbhailte atá á dhéanamh trí Project ACT. Bainfidh téarnamh sóisialta agus eacnamaíoch leas mór as comhoibriú idir an Chomhairle, gnólachtaí agus saorálaithe, agus táim ag tnúth go mór le bualadh le daoine ar fud an Chontae a thugann a gcuid ama chun a gcuid ceantair a fheabhsú. Trína chinntiú go gcuireann gach baile agus sráidbhaile a chos is fearr chun tosaigh, tiocfaidh ár mbailte agus sráidbhailte chun cinn mar áiteanna iontacha le haghaidh taistil agus gnó,  agus mar áiteanna iontacha le maireachtáil. "

I measc na dtosaíochtaí eile don Mhéara Coughlan tá scéimeanna tithíochta inacmhainne, oiriúnú agus maolú aeráide agus tacú le hobair oidhreachta sa Chontae.

“Táim ag tnúth chomh maith le bheith ag obair le Comhairle Contae Chorcaí chun cláir dhigitithe agus oideachais a chur chun cinn mar iad siúd a reáchtáiltear trí Oifigí Fiontair Áitiúla agus Seirbhísí Leabharlainne na Comhairle."

Tá an Méara ó Dhroichead na Bandan ó dhúchas agus cónaíonn sí ann lena fear céile Donough Coughlan, agus a dtriúr páiste, Aidan, Maeve agus Ronan. bhí baint ag an Méara Coughlan le go leor grúpaí pobail lena n-áirítear Baile Múrtha Dhroichead na Bandan, Cumann Croise Deirge na hÉireann, Droichead na Bandan Aoisbháúil, Coiste Cuimhneacháin 1916 Dhroichead na Bandan, agus is í Cathaoirleach reatha Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan.