Cllr Damian Boylan Elected New Lord Mayor of Cork

Cork City has a new first citizen this evening, with Cllr Damian Boylan elected Lord Mayor at the Annual Meeting of Cork City Council, held at City Hall.

The Fine Gael councillor, who represents Cork City's North West Ward, was elected by 19 votes to 8 with 1 abstention, before the ceremonial passing of the historic Lord Mayor's chain.

Cllr Boylan, a native of Cork City and proud past pupil of the North Monastery, becomes the 16th North Mon past pupil to hold the position of Lord Mayor of Cork, describing it as a "tremendous honour and a deeply humbling experience."

Cllr Damian Boylan, Lord Mayor of Cork, said:

"To be elected Lord Mayor of Cork, the city I love, is a privilege beyond anything I could have imagined when I was growing up as a young Mon boy.

Like many Cork people, I didn't spend much time thinking about titles or offices.

I was raised to believe that if something needed doing, you rolled up your sleeves and got involved. You worked hard. You helped where you could. You left things a little better than you found them.

That simple philosophy is what first brought me into community life, then into business, and ultimately into public service.

Tonight, I want to thank my fellow councillors for placing their trust in me."

The new Lord Mayor paid tribute to his predecessor, saying Cllr Fergal Dennehy had represented Cork "with dignity, commitment and enthusiasm."

"Fergal has given his all to the role, and I thank him sincerely for his service to our city. He has played a blinder. I would also like to acknowledge the Lady Mayoress, Karen Brennan," the Lord Mayor said.

Cllr Fergal Dennehy, outgoing Lord Mayor, said serving the city as first citizen had been the greatest privilege of his life:

"If there is one thing I will take from this year, it is this: Cork is defined by its people, their decency, their creativity, their resilience, sense of humour and their community spirit.

"This year has also been a time of real progress and ambition for Cork.

"We are living through a period of unprecedented change, a city growing in confidence, in scale, and in opportunity. Cork today stands at a crossroads, but it is a positive one.

"We have the vision, the ambition, and most importantly the people to shape a city that is inclusive, vibrant and future-focused. As I hand on the chain of office this evening, I do so with great confidence in the future of this city."

Cllr Boylan set out a very simple two-word message for the year ahead: "be sound."

"Every Cork person understands exactly what that means," he said.

"You won't find it in any policy document. You won't hear it in many boardrooms. But you will hear it every day across our city.

"Be decent. Be kind. Be fair. Look out for one another. Give somebody a hand when they need it. Show patience when it would be easier to show anger. Treat people with respect even when you disagree with them.

"It sounds simple because it is simple. Yet I believe it is one of the most powerful ideas we possess.

"Over the coming year, I hope to bring that message into schools across our city.

"Not a slogan. Not a campaign. A way of living.

"A reminder that every one of us has the ability to make life better for somebody else.

"One conversation at a time. One interaction at a time. One act of kindness at a time."

The Lord Mayor also announced that fellow Fine Gael councillor Cllr Gary O'Brien will serve as Deputy Lord Mayor, a role Cllr O'Brien said he never imagined he would have the privilege of holding so early in his time on Council.

Cllr Gary O'Brien, Deputy Lord Mayor, said:

"I recognise that the role of Deputy Lord Mayor is, first and foremost, one of support.

I look forward to working closely with Damian throughout the coming year and assisting him in any way I can.

 am proud to take on that responsibility and to support the Lord Mayor in representing the people of Cork. It is a great privilege to serve a city as special as Cork.

We are a city with a proud history, strong communities and ambition for the future.

I look forward to working with councillors from all parties and none, with the Council Executive, council staff, community organisations, and businesses in the year ahead."

Cllr Boylan was first elected to Cork City Council in 2019 and re-elected in 2024. He represents the North West Ward, encompassing Blarney, Tower, Kerry Pike, Cloghroe, Gurranabraher, Sunday's Well, Knocknaheeny and surrounding communities.

Cllr O'Brien was co-opted to Cork City Council in March 2025 and represents the Cork City South-West Ward.