As Kilkenny’s new Mayor settles into his busy role, Andrew McGuinness looks forward to the coming twelve months with energy and ambition. He has already shown that he does not need any honeymoon period or training, he has done this before, four times.
In his first week he hit the ground running, opening An Chead Tines gallery in Dunnes Stores, launching Kilkenny’s Arts Festival, presenting medals for the Nore Swim and an unexpected speech in front of a packed St Canice’s Cathedral. No notes, no briefing, just straight in. And we can’t forget his heartfelt address to his children Jack and Phoebe.
But there seems to be a new twist. We haven’t seen a selfie yet from the Mayor that made selfies obligatory. Instead, it looks like he has his own secret camera crew following him around. He has been posting impressive videos of his work and his first week in office, gaining thousands of views and supportive comments. It looks like he is taking us all along for the journey and opening up the office of Mayor to everyone. It’s refreshing and honest.
Speaking to the Kilkenny Observer about the year ahead, Mayor McGuinness said, “I’m just extremely grateful and excited to be back as Mayor. It’s a job I absolutely love doing for many reasons but mainly because I love been out with people and I love being involved in the different community events. So much happens in Kilkenny and when you’re Mayor you get to see firsthand all of the great work that people do in Kilkenny.”
“It’s my intention this year to celebrate and promote everything that is great about Kilkenny. We have so much to be proud of. We are a city of music, art, culture, history, sport and heritage. We are the festival capital of Ireland and we are surrounded by creative people who add colour and magic to our city every day. I want to highlight, promote and harness all of that,” he said.
“In terms of projects to look forward to, I’m very excited about reopening City Hall or the Town Hall as people call it. The last reopening was after the fire in 1985 and that was done by my late Grandad who was Mayor at the time. To get the same honour he got 40 years later is pretty special to me and I wish he could see it. I’m sure he can.
“It’s also special because I feel like I grew up in that building and I know how important it is to the people of Kilkenny City so I’m excited that we will have such a great building reopened for all to enjoy. It will remain the centre of democracy in the city but it will also be open for all to see and visit and share that history we have in that building.
“I’m looking forward to the reopening of Kieran Street and hopefully the new performance area at the Market Yard. An exciting project that will enhance the city centre and further improve the platform Kilkenny gives to artists and musicians.
“I do see plenty of issues on the horizon also. I see a particular need to work with our local business community, to ensure the issues they face are resolved, such as parking and movement around the city. We need to protect and enhance High Street, John Street, our core city centre while also embracing the new opportunities presented in the Abbey Quarter.
“The list is endless and the only promise I ever give is that I will do my absolute best. I want an energetic, busy, positive year ahead and I will highlight all the great things about Kilkenny while also working hard to make progress and to improve what we have. I want people to feel like they can contact my office anytime and I will make myself available at all times.
If there’s an event you would like the Mayor to attend or speak at, an issue I can help with, a person you believe should be acknowledged, whatever it is, please contact my office at 056 77 70672 or me at cllrandrewmcguinness@gmail.com
