WATCH: 'It's a kind of bug' - Hilda Cavanagh as driven as ever to continue in Kilkenny politics

Ireland's longest-serving female councillor Mary Hilda Cavanagh (FG) will extend her unique record of public service, after being elected on Count 1 with 1,865 first preferences in the Castlecomer LEA.

"I always say politics is a bug and once you get that bug, it's very hard to disengage from it but I'm quite happy to be a local councillor and I'm very grateful to the people for voting for me, humbled by the size of my vote to be honest with you," she said.

"I'd hoped to be there or thereabouts on the first count but I never dreamt I would get such a high vote," she added.

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