TRIBUTES were paid to the 817th Mayor of Limerick, Kathleen Leddin, this week as the reigns were passed over to Fine Gael councillor Michael Sheahan.
Now retired from local government, the former Mayor sat teary-eyed in City Hall this Monday as tributes flooded in from across the political spectrum. After his election as the first Mayor of the new Metropolitan District, Cllr Michael Sheahan (FG) said of his predecessor, “like Tina Turner you are simply the best”.
Mayor Sheahan also used the opportunity to pay tribute to other great Limerick women such as Francis Condell, Kate O’Brien, Catherine Hayes, Sophie Mary Pierce and Charlotte Grace O’Brien. He pointed out that there had only been five female mayors in Limerick local authorities’ 818-year history and also proposed that the Freedom of the City be bestowed upon female emigrant activist Charlotte Grace O’Brien in the near future.
Fianna Fail councillor Kieran O’Hanlon revealed at this Monday’s council meeting that one of his great pleasures in 24 years as a councillor was the election of Kathleen Leddin as Limerick’s 817th Mayor.
“I want to congratulate Kathleen on a job well done. She gave it every ounce of energy,” said Cllr O’Hanlon.
“Her late husband Tim was also mayor, which is unique,” he added.
Cllr John Gilligan (Ind) commended the former mayor for her tireless energy and style during her mayoralty.
Sinn Fein’s Maurice Quinlivan insisted that the outgoing mayor had “excelled” while in office, while Labour’s Joe Leddin, Kathleen’s grandnephew, said, “Have a good rest and get to Kerry as soon as you can.”
