Earlier this evening Termonfeckin based Labour Councillor Michelle Hall was elected, unopposed, for a second term to the position of Mayor of Drogheda and Indpendent Councillor Declan Power, also based in Drogheda Rural, as Deputy Mayor.

The new Mayor thanked her colleagues, especially outgoing Mayor Paddy McQuillan, for trusting her with the position and said she hoped that she could once again work collaboratively with Councillors from all parties and none to ensure the voice of Drogheda is heard loud and clear.

“The Mayoralty belongs to the people of Drogheda, from the river to the sea, from Clogherhead to Tullyallen and its importance hasn’t diminished, as I’m sure Cllr McQuillan can testify to after his busy year” she said.

“The joy of being with the great mix of people and cultures who live in Drogheda, who do so much either in their paid work or voluntary roles to make our lives easier.

“Many of us would say that being a councillor in Drogheda is one of the most challenging and none more so in the last few years. Dereliction remains a blight on West Street and we are losing retailers due to multiple factors. Social deprivation has increased and people are suffering through a housing crisis.

“But in the background is the work carried out not by councillors but by the officers of local government and our gratitude should go to them also.

“Since I was Mayor in 2023, the Port Access Route has opened and the next phase is to begin, the award winning civic offices that we sit in today have resurrected derelict buildings to be proud of, West Gate Vision has been granted permission by An Bord Pleanála and awaits funding approval; there’s an extensive Digital Hub being developed on Narrow West St and West Gate House will be transformed to house community rooms. We are busy building homes, ‘forever homes’ for many who have sat on the social housing list for up to 12 years."

Councilllor Hall also revealed that for the year ahead she has decided to leave full-time teaching to be available to the community.

“It was hectic last time around – teaching, Chair of East Border Region and another charity, and not without its challenges. I wouldn’t have gotten through it without the support of colleagues here, those in the Labour Party, my family and friends.

She also said that she was looking forward to having time to start the podcast Feckin Politics that she has always wanted to do.

“The equipment is sitting in my office since December!” she revealed adding that she will be sharing stories of amazing people and how political decisions have affected them.

“I am finally getting to writing a book about my time as Mayor but more importantly looking at the role of Mayors since the Anglo-Norman invasion to present day. I am inviting past Mayors to write an anecdote on their favourite and stand-out moments.

“It was lovely to spend some time today with so many past Mayors including our other two female Mayors, Maria Campbell-O’Brien and Eileen Tully.

I will work closely with our council, our new CEO David Conway, other chairs, Drogheda and District Chamber, Drogheda BIDS, An Garda Siochana, Tidy Towns, Deputy Mayor, Cllr Power and many others as I have done before. We are all stronger together. I want to bring the role to schools, to charities, to nursing homes, to wherever people need to be seen and heard.

“While I didn’t cycle here today, the wind just isn’t great for the hair and makeup for photoshoots, I am hoping that we will see new cycle lanes commence this year. Cycling is quick, cheap and brings great health benefits. Join myself and Drogheda Cycling on one of our leisure cycles this year.

Finally, I want to just thank my wonderful husband Joe (the Lady Mayoress if we use traditional gendered terms), my kids Robyn, Emmet (who started a new job last week and can’t be here) and Liam (who’s doing his leaving cert, all prayers and candles lit accepted), my parents Michael and Olive, all my family and friends for all the love and support they have given me down through the years.