Political pioneer Maura Kilbride-Harkin ‘smashed glass ceiling’ in Longford

Warm tributes have been paid to dedicated Granard politician and the county’s first ever female Mayor, Maura Kilbride-Harkin who has been described as a woman of 'great integrity, great energy and great knowledge'.

There has been much sadness following the death of the pioneering and long serving Fine Gael stalwart of Cartron, Granard, county Longford on Friday last peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family.

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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).

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 said there were phenomenal women before Maura on the council but what she managed to achieve was remarkable.

"Maura broke that glass ceiling, well, she smashed it actually, by becoming the first woman to become a Cathaoirleach of County Longford and it was fitting to her talents that that should be."

The highly-regarded Granard woman 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 what what she managed to achieve was remarkable.
She was on 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.

Cllr Nolan, who has now successfully contested five consecutive local elections said Maura’s ‘passion and ability was an example to any woman who wants to go into political life’.

She said Maura served at a time when there was very little or no money available and she worked tirelessly.

"She saw the bad times. Can you imagine what she could have done in the good times?"

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.

Cllr Nolan said Maura made it quite clear from the first time they met that having two women from the one party was 'something very special and we're going to work it together' and they did.

"Maura had an inner strength and an inner knowledge, if you like, a feeling for what was required.

"And my goodness, did she push for everything she could for Granard, I sat in awe of Maura Kilbride Harkin,” she added.

Cllr Nolan said Maura's value was recognised and appreciated and the councillors who sat with her would testify to that.

"She was a woman of great integrity, of great energy, a woman of great knowledge.

"She knew local government, she knew the needs and requirements and she knew how to source them."

The former Longford County Councillor, Granard Town Councillor and Peace Commissioner 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 is survived by her, sons Michéal, Thomas, J.P and Brian, daughters Maureen, Marguerite, Paula and Breda, sisters Bríd, Sr Roberta and Bernadette (McGovern), brothers Thomas and Michael, and grandchildren.

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Hundreds of people attended Maura’s Funeral Mass on Tuesday as hordes of people packed into St Mary’s Church, Granard and the removal the previous evening.

She was laid to rest in the nearby Granardkille Cemetery.

Longford TD Micheál Carrigy said, "Maura was very well respected and highly regarded, you know, and I was honoued to get to know her over the years.

Deputy Carrigy added, "She served her constituents and her community with honour over the years and she was involved in a large number of significant projects, particularly in the Granard area, which were developed by her.”