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Cllr Declan Power was elected as the 426th Mayor of the Borough District of Drogheda at the Annual General Meeting held in the Civic Offices, Fair Street, on Monday, 8 June.
Cllr Power was nominated for the position by Cllr Kevin Callan and seconded by outgoing Mayor, Cllr Michelle Hall, while Cllr Debbie McCole was nominated by Cllr Eric Donovan. Following a roll call vote, Cllr Power was elected by eight votes to two. Cllr Ann Marie Ford was subsequently elected as Deputy Mayor for the 2026/2027 term.
In keeping with tradition, a ceremony hosted by the Old Drogheda Society, featuring re-enactors from Laoch Living History, took place at Millmount following the AGM, where a cannon was fired to signify the election of the new Mayor.
Speaking following his election, Cllr Power said:
“I was born in Limerick and raised in Clare, but I am now deeply rooted in Drogheda and Clogherhead. Drogheda has given me so much. It is where I bought my first home, where I met my wife, and where our children were born, raised, and educated.
“Drogheda has given me employment, friendships and purpose - but most of all, it has given me a strong sense of community. As Mayor, I have the opportunity to give something back. Like every councillor here, I entered public life to make a difference, not just for today, but for the future.
“I want to be a Mayor for everyone. While the chain of office may say Mayor of Drogheda, the responsibility extends far beyond the historic town walls. Our Borough District comprises both Drogheda Urban and Drogheda Rural, and both are equally important. This role is about balance - ensuring that no part of our Borough feels overlooked. During my term, I will work to reflect that balance.
“My vision is clear: a cleaner, healthier and more prosperous, united Borough District of Drogheda.
“I also want to acknowledge Chief Executive David Conway and all the staff of Louth County Council, whose work is driving real progress across the Borough. We see this in housing delivery, particularly in North Drogheda; in infrastructure projects such as PANCR; in regeneration initiatives like West Gate House; and in the beginning of IDA investment in North Drogheda, which will create employment opportunities.
“The launch of the first-ever Louth Tourism Strategy will also have a significant positive impact on Drogheda, highlighting our rich heritage and cultural offerings. Our strategic location on the M1 between Dublin and Belfast continues to make Drogheda an attractive place to live, work and do business.
“This progress does not happen by accident. It comes from shared vision, collaboration and partnership, between Council staff, voluntary groups, businesses, service providers, councillors and public representatives.”
Cllr Power also paid tribute to outgoing Mayor, Cllr Michelle Hall, stating:
“I want to acknowledge Cllr Michelle Hall, who carried the office of Mayor with pride. It was a privilege to serve as her Deputy, and I hope to honour the role in the same way.”
David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said:
“I would like to congratulate Cllr Power on his election, and we look forward to working with him over the coming year. His vision of a cleaner, healthier and more prosperous Drogheda resonates strongly with the Executive of Louth County Council, and we wish him every success in his term of office.
“I would also like to thank Cllr Michelle Hall for her outstanding work over the past 12 months. She brought great commitment, enthusiasm and care to the role, representing the people of the Borough District of Drogheda with distinction. This was evident in the wide range of official engagements she undertook, and we will continue to build on the initiatives she championed.”
