Longford's Peggy Nolan: ‘My heart and soul is in my county town and the county’

As well as the appointment of Cathaoirleach of Longford County council last Friday the chamber also assigned a deputy.
The longest serving member of Longford County Council assumes the position of leas-Cathaoirleach for the first year of the term. Cllr Peggy Nolan (pictured) was appointed to the post at the first meeting of local authority members.
“Peggy is a serious operator,” Cllr Paul Ross said as he nominated the Longford MD representative, “she gave great advice to all on this side of the house. If you want to get something done, you go to Peggy Nolan.”

In accepting the role, Cllr Nolan spoke of her motivation in local politics: “When you put your name on the ballot paper you commit to try to make a difference. In the last 25 years I hope I have made that difference. My heart and soul is in my county town and the county.”

She emphasised the focus of the local authority in the next five years: “This county town needs investment, it needs support and to be driven by the council. It's in a fantastic place. We never had a tourism product, we have now. We need to encourage businesses in this county town.”

Cllr Nolan said there is more positivity needed: “I sick of people running Longford down, Longford is as fine a town as you will go to.”
Cllr Nolan concluded by wishing the newly elected representatives, Niall Gannon (FG), Kevin Hussey (FF), David Cassidy (FF), Pádraig McNamara (FG) Sean Mimnagh (FF) and Martin Skelly (FG) the best of luck in the coming years.