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

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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 pre-deceased by her husband Michael on June 13, 2018, her father Senator Tom Kilbride, mother Mary Jo and brothers Sean, Seamus, Paddy and Joseph.

She will be sadly missed by her heartbroken family, sons Michéal, Thomas, J.P and Brian, daughters Maureen, Marguerite, Paula and Breda, daughters-in-law Catherine, Eilish and Kim, sons-in-law Anthony, Paddy and Patrick, sisters Bríd, Sr Roberta and Bernadette (McGovern), brothers Thomas and Michael, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, her wonderful grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Removal takes place to St Mary’s Church, Granard on Monday, January 12  arriving at 5pm. Maura’s Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, January 13 in St Mary’s Church, Granard at 1pm with burial afterwards in Granardkille Cemetery.

May she Rest in Peace. House strictly private.