Cllr Dolores Minogue was elected as the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council for the 2026-2027 term of office at the Annual General Meeting at County Hall, Dundalk on Monday, 15 June.
Cllr Minogue succeeds outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seán Kelly. She was nominated by Cllr Rachel Kerley and seconded by Cllr Ejiro O’Hare Stratton. Following a roll-call vote, she was elected by 20 votes to six, ahead of Cllr Pearse McGeough, who was nominated by Cllr Antoin Watters and seconded by Cllr Eric Donovan.
The Ardee-based councillor becomes the first female to hold the office of Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council on two occasions, having previously served in the role from 2020-2021.
Cllr Shane McGuinness was elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach, succeeding Cllr Andrea McKevitt. Nominated by Cllr Seán Kelly and seconded by Cllr McKevitt, he was elected following a roll-call vote ahead of Cllr Sionnain McCann, who was nominated by Cllr Pearse McGeough and seconded by Cllr Debbie McCole.
In her address, the newly elected Cathaoirleach, Cllr Dolores Minogue, said: “I am deeply honoured by the support and trust placed in me by my fellow councillors in electing me as Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council.
“This is a proud day for me personally and for my family. I want to acknowledge and thank them for their unwavering support, encouragement and understanding throughout my time in public service. It has made this journey possible.
“Today, I am also thinking of my late father, who passed away four years ago. He often told us that his father, my grandfather, worked for Louth County Council. The release of the 1926 Census confirmed that family story. Seeing that connection, recorded in history, was a proud moment for our family, as I stand here today, I know my father would have been incredibly proud.
“Louth is a county with enormous potential. We have vibrant towns and villages, strong communities, a rich heritage and a bright future. As Cathaoirleach, I will do my utmost to support the work of the Council and to ensure we build on the progress that has been achieved.
“The year ahead will undoubtedly bring challenges, but it will also bring opportunities. I am confident that by working together, respecting each other’s views, and focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us, we can continue to make meaningful progress for County Louth.”
David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, added: “On behalf of the executive and staff of Louth County Council, I would like to congratulate Cllr Minogue on a proud day for her and her family. We look forward to working closely with her over the coming year to build on the significant progress made across a wide range of programmes and initiatives, and to continue enhancing Louth as a place to live, work and visit.”
In his outgoing address, Cllr Seán Kelly said: “Serving as Cathaoirleach over the past year has been one of the greatest honours of my public life. It has given me a unique opportunity to see first-hand the extraordinary work that is carried out every day by the staff of Louth County Council and the difference that work makes in the lives of our citizens, communities and businesses.
“Every Cathaoirleach leaves their own mark, but all of us are merely custodians for a short period of time for an office that represents the people of this great county. To have had the opportunity to represent Louth – a county rich in history, ambition, community spirit and character – has been one of the greatest privileges.”
Chief Executive David Conway also paid tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seán Kelly: “I would like to sincerely thank Cllr Kelly for his leadership, energy and commitment during his term as Cathaoirleach. He represented the people of Louth with great pride and positivity, and his enthusiasm was evident in his engagement with local communities, businesses and organisations across the county.
“Over the past year, he has presided over many important civic occasions, including memorable receptions for Louth GAA and The Corrs, showcasing the county as a vibrant and dynamic place to live and visit. His focus on promoting opportunity, enterprise and community spirit has helped to place Louth firmly on the map.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Cllr Kelly, and I thank him for his unwavering commitment and his clear focus on achieving the best outcomes for the county.”
