FREE PIC – NO REPRO FEE – March 13, 2026
Former Lord Mayor, Kieran McCarthy, launched his book “Got Cork, The Kieran McCarthy Lord Mayoralty 2023-2024” at Council Chambers in Cork City Hall accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, Marceline Bonneau.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Dear Lord Mayor, dear Lady Mayoress,
Dear councillors and other elected representatives,
Dear municipal staff,
Dear family,
Dear friends
Dear Ia Ard Mhéara Kieran,
On the 23rd of June 2023, you, Kieran, became the Lord Mayor of Cork. I became the Lady Mayoress of Cork.
To be honest, we barely knew each other. I barely knew Cork. The scope of the role was a total discovery for me.
We went through one year of adventures. When flipping through our book, your 33rd book, I was both amazed and emotional at all that you had achieved as a Lord Mayor, and all that I tried to join and support as a Lady Mayoress.
Cork is rich. Rich in people, rich in stories.
Getting to know Cork enabled me to know you better. Getting to know Cork opened my eyes to a vibrant and inspiring community. A community which could inspire others. I could have never hoped for a better engagement at the Lady Mayoress’ coffee morning!
I was honoured. Honoured to have been invited by you to join you on this journey. Honoured to have been granted the right from the City of Cork to join you.
On the 21 June 2024, we passed on our chain and medallion, for others to continue the journey. Lady Mayoress, it is an inspiration to see your dedication and commitment to this role.
I do not miss the journey: I feel empowered by it. I feel proud. I feel strengthened.
The mayoralty led us to new chapters. Some will not come to life. And we have still to make peace with ourselves and grief.
But we have many more stories to write. A life together we need keep on building up.
And today is a major milestone. We inscribe our story on paper. Your story. Cork’s history.
Kieran and I are also proudly engaged in the organisation of a major conference taking place in Cork this Summer, where 300 representatives from cities from all over Europe will gather and get inspired by Cork, by all of you here present. We hope to be able to get all of you on board.
I thank you all very much. As I said in my farewell speech: I was very impressed by Cork. And I keep on being impressed by Cork, by you, everyday.
Cork will be my mayoralty city. Kieran, I’ll be your Lady Mayoress forever.