'It's not for me' - Hughie stepping down after 20 years on council

Popular Nenagh councillor Hughie McGrath has announced that he won't be contesting next year's local elections.

A public representative since 2004, Cllr McGrath spent the last 12 months chairing Tipperary Co Council's Nenagh Municipal District. Speaking at the end of his Cathaoirleach term at the district AGM last week, Cllr McGrath stated that he would not be seeking re-election once his tenure as councillor comes to an end in 2024.

"I'm not getting into the whole politics of it," he said of his intention to step down. "I'm getting out because it's not for me - I don't see a place for me currently in Tipperary Co Council."

Echoing the sentiments of Thurles councillor Seamus Hanafin, who also recently announced his intention not to run again, Cllr McGrath said the abolition of town councils in 2014 put a different complexion on his ability to represent people.

"I loved being a town councillor," he told last week's AGM. "I do think it was a huge mistake to get rid of the town council. But that's done and dusted."

TEAM HUGHIE

Cllr McGrath said he really enjoyed his 20 years as a councillor and he paid tribute to his team of loyal supporters. "I'm always reluctant to say I've canvassers," he remarked. "I've friends who canvassed with me."

These were "the same bunch of people" who worked with him in organising Nenagh's St Patrick's Day parades and Castlefest. "They talk about me in the third person - what does he want to do now?!"

Thanking his fellow councillors along with the executive and staff of Nenagh Municipal District, Cllr McGrath said he enjoyed a "privileged position" over the last 12 months as Cathaoirleach. He was particularly pleased with the progress being made on Nenagh's historic quarter as a visitor attraction, and with the development of the river walk amenity. He encouraged his colleagues to keep working together for the good of the district.

"You don't achieve anything on the council as an individual," the outgoing Cathaoirleach said. " You can start something, sow a seed, but unless you have the backing of members, you're going nowhere."

'MAN OF PRINCIPLE'

Cllr Séamie Morris was also elected to the old Nenagh Town Council in 2004. He said Cllr McGrath was "leaving a few legacies" behind him over the 20 years since, including the St Patrick's Day parade, which he had had to "fight" to restore after an absence of several years while other councillors were "swanning of to America" to celebrate Ireland's national day.

Cllr Morris regarded Cllr McGrath as "a man of principle - when you stick to something, by God, you're unshakable." He particularly remembered Cllr McGrath's tenacity in securing lights for Nenagh's N52 bypass, demanding parity for the north Tipp town after a Clonmel councillor secured something similar.

Cllr Morris also said that his fellow Nenagh councillor had been a "good friend" of his over their 20 years in local democracy. "If anything in Nenagh came up, we always supported each other; we always had each other's backs." He agreed that the abolition of town councils left a "huge loss".

Also first elected in 2004 was Cllr Michael O'Meara, who said he would always remember Cllr McGrath as a "pragmatic" local representative, who was always available to talk issues through. The Nenagh man was highly thought of by the people of his town and he would be "sorely missed", Cllr O'Meara said.

'A WORKER, NOT A HEADLINE-SEEKER'

For Cllr Ger Darcy, the outgoing Cathaoirleach would be best remembered for the work he has done for the people of Nenagh over the years. "You are a worker, not a headline-seeker," he said of Cllr McGrath. "You're not a man who sought a whole lot of credit."

Cllr John Carroll agreed that Hughie's team of supporters shared his passion for the town and worked well together. Cllr McGrath would be leaving a "rich legacy of achievement" behind him.

Outgoing Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Phyll Bugler said Nenagh's parades and Castlefest were Cllr McGrath's idea. The people of Nenagh would remember him for these events.

Following his first election in 2014, Cllr Joe Hannigan was glad to have come to know Hughie as "a good guy, a great character". He referred to Nenagh Municipal District as a "team" on which Cllr McGrath played a key role.

"We've a good team here," Cllr Hannigan said. "We work well together. It doesn't matter about the politics...

"I hope people understand the part that you played on the team," he said of Cllr McGrath. "Have we a sub as good? I don't think we have... You're definitely a loss to the town of Nenagh and the team we have here."

'A PEOPLE'S PERSON'

Cllr Fiona Bonfield was disappointed to learn that the Nenagh man would not be seeking election again next year. She pointed out that Cllr McGrath had also represented his local area at European level as a member of the EU Committee of the Regions.

But she said Cllr McGrath would be best remembered as "very much a people's person", one who could be seen out every day chatting to businesspeople and members of the public on the street. "That's what the councillor's job is," Cllr Bonfield said.

Incoming Cathaoirleach Cllr John Rocky McGrath also paid tribute to his predecessor, a "fantastic leader", and also a "gentleman as chairman", who demonstrated "calmness" in dealing with issues that arose over the years.

Joining in the tributes, Chief Executive of Tipperary Co Council Joe MacGrath said many people would be sorry to hear that Hughie is stepping down. He hoped that he would enjoy his final 12 months as a councillor and enjoy his retirement, with more time for family and his passion of music.

Recalling in particular the role of encouragement that Cllr McGrath played during the tumult of the pandemic, Mr MacGrath described Hughie as a "proud Nenagh man - and Nenagh is proud of you".

District Administrator Rosemary Joyce referred to Cllr McGrath as a "team leader" who inspired others. But she agreed that he had led in his "own, quiet way... It was never about the headlines, it was about the people.

'UNAPOLOGETICALLY A NENAGH MAN'

District Director Marcus O'Connor said news of Cllr McGrath's stepping down came as a big disappointment to all who knew him. "unapologetically a Nenagh man, a St Joseph's Park man and proud of the town," he would be a big loss as a councillor.

Mr O'Connor spoke of Hughie's many achievements over the years. The lighting of the walkway was a standout achievement, in which local plans were "kicked back" several times by national authorities, though Cllr McGrath had stuck with it. He always found a way of working around problems.

Looking forward to this weekend's Castlefest, Mr O'Connor spoke also about the St Patrick's Day parades, which Cllr McGrath had been "single-minded about" in his determination to organise an event for everyone in the community to celebrate.

"You played a huge role in bringing the town to life," he said of Cllr McGrath.