Nominations close today for unique mayoral election in Cork town

NOMINATIONS have opened for candidates in Clonakilty’s upcoming and unique mayoral election.

A number of nominations have already been submitted. 

A public information meeting was held about the mayoral election process and the historical context of Clonakilty being the only town in Ireland with a mayor since the abolition of the local town councils 10 years ago.

Nominations close at 5.30pm today with next Saturday, May 25, the deadline for nominated candidates to withdraw their nominations.

The vote will be held from 10am to 7pm on Saturday June 8 at Scoil na mBuachaillí, with the count beginning the following day at O’ Donovan’s Hotel, followed by declaration of results.

Among the other main points made were: that all candidates stand as non-political individuals and the mayoral role is a totally non-statutory, ceremonial, voluntary, non-political, honorary position with no expenses for the “first citizen”.

All voters who vote at Scoil na mBuachaillí (Clonakilty Urban and Clonakilty Rural areas) in other elections are eligible to vote, though special voters outside of these electoral areas will also be considered if they apply to vote, as will people in the hospital and local nursing homes.

The current mayor, Chris Hinchy and three of his colleagues — Mike O’Neill, Pádraig O’Reilly, and Anthony McDermott — as well as Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin who was community Mayor in 2015/2016, addressed the meeting and encouraged people to put themselves forward for the election on June 8.