Take these Chains: Cllr.O’Connell to be Mayor of Killarney Municipal Area

Well in: Cllr. Bobby O’Connell smiling with the boss as Finuge’s and Fine Gael’s finest North Kerry TD., Deputy Jimmy Deenihan has his virtues extolled by party leader, Enda Kenny outside The Mermaids in Listowel in the run-up to the 2007 general election. ©Photograph: John Reidy 11/5/2007

One for the Road? Fine Gael leader John Bruton pictured in the early days of his leadership during a visit to Castleisland. He is pictured in Cllr. Bobby O’Connell’s pub, The Poet’s Inn with Cllr. O’Connell (right) and North Kerry TD Jimmy Deenihan. ©Photograph: John Reidy 14-2-2008

Ready for Road: 2009/10 Mayor of Kerry, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell helping with the launch of the St. John of God Honda Run with Pat Russell (left) Garda Mike Murphy and joint organiser, Jim Griffin. ©Photograph: John Reidy 31-8-2009

Been there.. Mayor of Kerry, Cllr. Bobby O'Connell has worn the ceremonial chain of office before when he was Mayor of Kerry in the 2009/10 period. ©Photograph: John Reidy — Been there.. Mayor of Kerry, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell has worn the ceremonial chain of office before when he was Mayor of Kerry in the 2009/10 period. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Castleisland based, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell will succeed Cllr. John Joe Culloty as the Killarney Municipal Area’s first citizen at the annual general meeting of the Killarney Municipal Area on the coming Monday.

The Chicago born, Fine Gael politician, who was first elected to Kerry County Council in 1991, held his seat in last year’s local elections. Immediately after, he and his party colleague Cllr. John Sheahan formed a pact with Fianna Fail to ensure they took control of the position of mayor.

Castleisland was previously part of the Mid Kerry electoral area but it was joined with Killarney when the boundaries were altered last year.

Cllr O’Connell and his wife, Paula, have one daughter, Grace, and he owns and runs the Poet’s Inn public house in Castleisland. He previously served as Mayor of Kerry for a 12-month term in 2009.

Under the Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 the Killarney Municipal Area includes the electoral divisions of: Aghadoe, Aglish, Ballyhar, Brewsterfield, Carker, Castleisland, Clydagh, Coolies, Coom, Cordal, Currans, Derreen, Doocarrig, Flesk, Headfort, Kilbonane, Kilcummin, Kilfelim, Killarney Rural, Killarney Urban, Killeentierna, Knocknahoe, Lahard, Millbrook, Molahiffe, Muckross, Rathmore, Rockfield, Scartaglin.

Meanwhile, FG councillor, Pat McCarthy, from Ballymacelligott, is expected to become the new Mayor of Kerry on Monday following a decision by veteran councillor Liam Purtill to turn down the post.

Cllr. Thomas McEllistrim is to be the new Mayor of Tralee while Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen takes over in Kerry South and West and Cllr Jimmy Moloney will be the new Mayor of Listowel.