CONGRATS! Tipperary councillor elected president of national councillor body
Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan elected as president of national councillor body
Tipperary County Councillor Mary Hanna Hourigan has been elected President of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), the national representative and training body for Ireland’s 950 City and County Councillors
Cllr Hanna Hourigan, who was first elected to Tipperary County Council 16 years ago, was appointed President at the AILG’s Annual General Meeting in Mullingar on the 24th July. She succeeds Cllr. Kieran O’Hanlon, who served as President during 2024/2025.
In her inaugural address, Cllr. Hanna Hourigan spoke of her honour at being chosen to lead the association:
“It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you today as President of the Association of Irish Local Government for the year 2025/2026. I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in me, and I look forward to serving with dedication, energy and integrity in the year ahead.”
Reflecting on almost two decades of service in local government, she added:
“Since my first election to Tipperary County Council in 2009, I have worked tirelessly to represent and advocate for the people of my community, and to champion the value and role of local government in Irish society. It has been a journey marked by change, challenge and growth – and throughout that time, I have remained committed to ensuring that the voice of the elected member is heard, respected and valued.”
Looking to the future, the new President identified the ongoing work of the Local Democracy Taskforce as a key priority:
“We are at a pivotal moment for local democracy in Ireland. As President, I will continue to advocate firmly for reforms that respect our mandate, improve the conditions under which we serve, and reinforce the vital role councillors play in our communities.”
She also paid tribute to outgoing President Cllr. O’Hanlon for his leadership and commitment during his term in office.
The Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) continues to represent and support Ireland’s elected councillors through training, policy development and advocacy, ensuring that the voice of local government is heard at national and European levels.