Councillor Bernard Moynihan Elected Mayor of the County of Cork

Councillor Bernard Moynihan has been elected as the new Mayor of the County of Cork at this afternoon's Cork County Council AGM, with Councillor Finbarr Harrington elected as Deputy Mayor.

Mayor Moynihan was nominated by Councillor Gearoid Murphy and seconded by Councillor Alan Coleman.

A Duhallow native and Fianna Fáil member, Mayor Moynihan has served as a public representative for 12 years. He was first elected to Cork County Council in 2014 and subsequently re-elected in 2019 and 2024. In 2024, he became the first councillor elected across all local electoral areas (LEAs) in Cork, topping the poll in the Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District and being elected on the first count.

Mayor Moynihan graduated from University College Cork with a BA in Education. He worked as a schoolteacher for nine years before serving as a trade union representative with the Association of Secondary Schools Ireland, where he advocated for improved terms and conditions for members and represented them at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

Mayor Moynihan said:

"As Mayor, I look forward to championing the work of Cork County Council and highlighting the dedication of our staff in delivering over 900 services that support communities, businesses and quality of life across the county. Throughout the year, I hope to promote the ambition and positive impact of the Council as we continue working together to build a stronger, more vibrant Cork for all."

Mayor Moynihan is a member of Cork County Council's Planning Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), Economic Development SPC, and the Local Community Development Committee.

He added:

"As a member of both the Economic Development and Planning Strategic Policy Committees, I am committed to supporting sustainable growth across County Cork by creating the conditions for businesses to thrive while ensuring our communities develop in a balanced and forward-looking way."

Mayor Moynihan has served as Chair of the Northern Committee of Cork County Council on two occasions, and as Chair of Kanturk Mallow Municipal District on two occasions.

A lifelong member of Kiskeam GAA, the new Mayor has served the club in various roles. He is also a member of the Sean Moylan Commemoration Committee and has served as a Board Member of IRD Duhallow.

Councillor Finbarr Harrington has been elected as Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork, nominated by Councillor Alan Coleman and seconded by Councillor Gearoid Murphy.