There is much sadness throughout Longford following news of the death of dedicated Granard politician and the county’s first ever female Mayor, Maura Kilbride-Harkin. The pioneering and long serving Fine Gael stalwart, Mrs Kilbride-Harkin of Cartron, Granard, Co Longford, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, January 9. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO She represented the people of Granard electoral area on Longford County Council from 1985 to 2009 and in 1995/’96 she had the huge honour of becoming the county’s first ever female Mayor (County Council Chairperson). Maura was successful in the County Council elections of 1985, 1991, 1999 and 2004, and she also contested the local elections of 2009 and 2014 but narrowly failed to secure a seat on both those occasions. Steeped in politics and a daughter of the late Senator Tom Kilbride, Maura was a hard working member of Granard Town Council for the best part of three decades and in 2014, the year which saw the abolition of Urban District and Town councils, she was Mayor of Granard. Indeed, her final engagement as Granard Mayor was the official opening of Granard Market House community library. Maura was involved in several local committees including the Granard Agricultural Show, Granard Christmas Lights Committee, Longford & Westmeath Education and Training Board and the board of management of Ardscoil Phádraig, Granard where her energy and diligence was admired by all. In 1985, Maura was the only female representative elected to Longford County Council and in 2004, the last occasion she was elected to the local authority she was joined in the Chamber by her party colleague Peggy Nolan. Cllr Nolan, who has now successfully contested five consecutive local elections (‘04, ‘09, 2014, ‘19 and 2024), said Maura’s ‘passion and ability was an example to any woman who wants to go into political life’. Former Longford County Councillor, Granard Town Councillor and Peace Commissioner, Maura Kilbride-Harkin was

placeholder image — There is much sadness throughout Longford following news of the death of dedicated Granard politician and the county’s first ever female Mayor, Maura Kilbride-Harkin. The pioneering and long serving Fine Gael stalwart, Mrs Kilbride-Harkin of Cartron, Granard, Co Longford, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, January 9. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO She represented the people of Granard electoral area on Longford County Council from 1985 to 2009 and in 1995/’96 she had the huge honour of becoming the county’s first ever female Mayor (County Council Chairperson). Maura was successful in the County Council elections of 1985, 1991, 1999 and 2004, and she also contested the local elections of 2009 and 2014 but narrowly failed to secure a seat on both those occasions. Steeped in politics and a daughter of the late Senator Tom Kilbride, Maura was a hard working member of Granard Town Council for the best part of three decades and in 2014, the year which saw the abolition of Urban District and Town councils, she was Mayor of Granard. Indeed, her final engagement as Granard Mayor was the official opening of Granard Market House community library. Maura was involved in several local committees including the Granard Agricultural Show, Granard Christmas Lights Committee, Longford & Westmeath Education and Training Board and the board of management of Ardscoil Phádraig, Granard where her energy and diligence was admired by all. In 1985, Maura was the only female representative elected to Longford County Council and in 2004, the last occasion she was elected to the local authority she was joined in the Chamber by her party colleague Peggy Nolan. Cllr Nolan, who has now successfully contested five consecutive local elections (‘04, ‘09, 2014, ‘19 and 2024), said Maura’s ‘passion and ability was an example to any woman who wants to go into political life’. Former Longford County Councillor, Granard Town Councillor and Peace Commissioner, Maura Kilbride-Harkin was

RIP: Much sadness in Longford as dedicated Granard politician and county’s first ever female Mayor dies

Published 10th Jan 2026, 15:33 GMT

Fine Gael’s Maura Kilbride-Harkin served on Longford County Council from 1985 to 2009 and in 1995/’96 became the county’s first ever female Mayor

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Caption: February 2014 - One Book One Granard: Teresa Callaghan, Adult Learning Centre, Christy Duffy, Chief Executive Longford/Westmeath Education & Training Board, Maura Kilbride Harkin and Brid Nevin Picture: Shelley Corcoran

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Caption: September 2013 - Mary Carleton Reynolds, Mayor of Granard Town Council Maura Kilbride Harkin, Mary Jolly, John Connell and Mayor Henry Jolly of Gaffney City Picture: Shelley Corcoran

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Caption: September 2013 - Mary Carleton Reynolds, Rosemary Gaynor, Mayor Maura Kilbride-Harkin, Anne Glancy and Mairead Ni Chonghaile. Photo: Michelle Ghee

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Caption: A Civic Reception was held in The Greville Arms, Granard, Co Longford on Thursday, June 6, 2013 to Honour Josie O'Rourke, Granard Person of the Year. (front row) Cllr. Sean Howard, Mayor John Maguire, Josie O'Rourke, Granard Person of the Year, Jack Kilgallen, Granard Town Manager, Sr. Maeve Brady, (back row) Cllr. Terry McGovern, Cllr. Maura Kilbride-Harkin, Cllr. Fintan Flood, Anne Glancy, Granard Town Clerk, Cllr. Tommy Stokes and Cllr. P.J. Reilly. Picture by Willie Farrell

RIP: Much sadness in Longford as dedicated Granard politician and county’s first ever female Mayor dies

Fine Gael’s Maura Kilbride-Harkin served on Longford County Council from 1985 to 2009 and in 1995/’96 became the county’s first ever female Mayor

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