Michéal Ó hUiginn
Encyclopedia
Michéal Ó hUiginn was the Mayor of Galway
on three separate occasions: from 1972–1973, 1979–1980, and 1995–1996.
Ó hUiginn's family were based on Father Griffin Road, on the west bank of the Corrib
. He was the eldest of five children and graduated from Galway University with a B.Comm. in 1963. The following year his father died and Ó hUiginn took over the family building business. At the same time, he was co-opted to serve on the city council to fill the vacancy left by his father's death. Aged twenty-two, he was its then youngest member.
During his first term as Mayor he and other Irish Mayors represented Ireland
at Saint Patrick's Day
Parades around the U.S.A., he himself been present in New York
and St. Louis; the latter event led to the two cities being twinned. His last official function for that term was to welcome President of Ireland
Erskine Childers
to Galway on 29 June 1973, to open the Leisureland complex, which had cost one million, three hundred and thirty thousand.
His second term, 1979-1980, was marked by the Irish visit of Pope John Paul II
. On Sunday 30 September 1979 the Pope arrived in Galway, celebrating mass for at Ballybrit racecourse for three hundred thousand people. Mayor Ó hUiginn conferred the Freedom of Galway upon the Pontiff.
His third term was plagued with problems concerning the long-overdue and controversial sewage
treatment plant on Mutton Island, which had been dragging on since c. 1982. Work would only begin on the project in 1999. One notable high-point was the opening of the newly refurbished Town Hall Theatre, which he opened jointly with Michael D. Higgins
. He held a civic reception for Irish Olympian, Francis Barrett
, and conferred the Freedom of Galway on President of National University of Ireland, Galway
, Colm Ó hEocha
.
Mayor of Galway
The office of Mayor of Galway is an honorific title used by the of Galway City Council. The Council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area which is the city of Galway – the largest city in the province of Connacht, in the Republic of Ireland. The office was originally established by a...
on three separate occasions: from 1972–1973, 1979–1980, and 1995–1996.
Ó hUiginn's family were based on Father Griffin Road, on the west bank of the Corrib
River Corrib
The River Corrib in the west of Ireland flows from Lough Corrib through Galway to Galway Bay. The river is among the shortest in Europe, with only a length of six kilometres from the lough to the Atlantic. It is popular with local whitewater kayakers and is the training ground of , as well as...
. He was the eldest of five children and graduated from Galway University with a B.Comm. in 1963. The following year his father died and Ó hUiginn took over the family building business. At the same time, he was co-opted to serve on the city council to fill the vacancy left by his father's death. Aged twenty-two, he was its then youngest member.
During his first term as Mayor he and other Irish Mayors represented Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
at Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick , the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of :Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion , the Eastern...
Parades around the U.S.A., he himself been present in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and St. Louis; the latter event led to the two cities being twinned. His last official function for that term was to welcome President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
Erskine Childers
Erskine Hamilton Childers
Erskine Hamilton Childers served as the fourth President of Ireland from 1973 until his death in 1974. He was a Teachta Dála from 1938 until 1973...
to Galway on 29 June 1973, to open the Leisureland complex, which had cost one million, three hundred and thirty thousand.
His second term, 1979-1980, was marked by the Irish visit of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. On Sunday 30 September 1979 the Pope arrived in Galway, celebrating mass for at Ballybrit racecourse for three hundred thousand people. Mayor Ó hUiginn conferred the Freedom of Galway upon the Pontiff.
His third term was plagued with problems concerning the long-overdue and controversial sewage
Sewage
Sewage is water-carried waste, in solution or suspension, that is intended to be removed from a community. Also known as wastewater, it is more than 99% water and is characterized by volume or rate of flow, physical condition, chemical constituents and the bacteriological organisms that it contains...
treatment plant on Mutton Island, which had been dragging on since c. 1982. Work would only begin on the project in 1999. One notable high-point was the opening of the newly refurbished Town Hall Theatre, which he opened jointly with Michael D. Higgins
Michael D. Higgins
Michael Daniel Higgins is the ninth and current President of Ireland, having taken office on 11 November 2011 following victory in the 2011 Irish presidential election. Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster. Higgins was President of the Labour Party until his...
. He held a civic reception for Irish Olympian, Francis Barrett
Francis Barrett
Francis or Frank Barrett may refer to:*Francis Barrett - English occult writer*Francis Barrett - Irish boxer *Frank Barrett , pitcher...
, and conferred the Freedom of Galway on President of National University of Ireland, Galway
National University of Ireland, Galway
The National University of Ireland, Galway is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland...
, Colm Ó hEocha
Colm Ó hEocha
Colm Ó hEocha was an Irish scientist and educationalist, who served as president of University College Galway and Chairman of the New Ireland Forum.Ó hEocha was born in Dungarvan, County Waterford, in 1926...
.
External links
- http://www.galwaycity.ie/AllServices/YourCouncil/HistoryofTheCityCouncil/PreviousMayors/