Anna among the candidates seeking to be the mayor of Clonakilty

Business owner and award-winning photographer Anna Groniecka, 38, is running to be mayor of Clonakilty. The election will take place in the West Cork town alongside local and European elections.

Nine candidates have put themselves forward for the voluntary, non-political, community mayor role, which will be decided by a public vote on Saturday at Clonakilty’s Scoil Na mBuachaillí.

Originally from Poland, Anna has been in Ireland for 18 years and Clonakilty for 12, and lives with her two children, Olivia and Ben, and dog Coco.

She has two degrees, in social studies and business, and is undertaking a master’s in digital marketing strategy in MTU.

Support

She told The Echo, “When I moved here, I received so much support from others; people helped me to grow as a person and a business, so I’d like to give something back as mayor.

“I am driven, passionate, creative, and a well-connected person in the community, and I hope to champion and represent this diverse, vibrant town and its artistic community, and to promote the town through my network and connections.”

Currently vice-president designate for Network Ireland West Cork, Anna has just been announced as this year’s winner of the Network Ireland West Cork Businesswomen of the Year awards in the Networker of the Year category.

Anna also hopes that by running for mayor, she will be one of a minority of women who have taken up the mayoral role in Clonakilty in recent years, saying, “I can bring creative and new ideas into the town.”

She added, “I believe it’s important for people in the town of Clonakilty and surrounding areas to continue to see more women getting involved in roles like this and I’m excited to be nominated alongside some very inspiring female candidates.

“I hope that by putting myself forward, that it might also ignite an interest in the mayoral process to many younger people living in Clonakilty, helping to encourage them to nominate themselves and vote in future elections, whilst preserving this historical role for the town.”