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

13.

Caption: Official Opening & Blessing of the Canon Kelly Community Sports Hall, Ardscoil Phadraig, Granard. The Community Sports Hall was dedicated to the memory of Canon Kelly who was a member of Co. Longford VEC and Chairperson of the Board of Management, Ardscoil Phadraig. Josephine O'Donnell, CEO, Co. Longford VEC, Cllr. Maura Kilbride-Harkin, Chairperson, Co. Longford VEC, Rosemary Killian- Johnston, Principal, Ardscoil Phadraig and Sean Ryan, Develoment Officer, Co. Longford VEC.Picture by Willie Farrell

14.

Caption: 1-2 yrs. Winners in the Baby Competition at Granard show with Maura Kilbride Harkin MCC - Geraldine O'Hara, Aughnacliffe with Michelle; Maura Flynn, Abbeylara with Amy; Rosaline Mahon, Granard with Shelley. Picture: Joe McDonagh

15.

Caption: U 12 Mths. Winners in the Baby Competition at Granard show with Maura Kilbride Harkin MCC - Margaret Flynn with Linda, Pauline Keegan with John, Bernadette McGauran with Gavin Picture: Joe McDonagh

16.

Caption: Granard Show Launch 2017 - Tom Tully, Charlie Burns sponsor, Charlotte Kearney, Matt Connell, P.J Reilly, Chairman Gerry Tully, Frank Mulligan from Granard Mart, Rosemary Gaynor Ass. Tres. Sean Donohoe Tres, Hazel McVeigh PRO, Vice-Chair Maura Kilbride Harkin, Liz Brady I.C.A, Breda Harkin Sec, Bridgie Burns, Kay Tully Ass. Sec and Frances Monaghan I.C.A. Photo: Michelle Ghee

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

13.

14.

15.

16.

Sign up to our Ireland Live newsletter

Thank you for signing up!