Martin Connolly
Encyclopedia
Martin Connolly was the Mayor of Galway
from 1987–1988.
to Thomas Connolly (born in Boston
) and Mary McDonagh of Spanish Parade. He was a member of the Sea Scouts, a personal friend of actor Sean McClory
, and served two years on the ship Irish Poplar as ship's carpenter. He married Una Keaveney of Glenamaddy
with whom he had children Thomas, Padraic, Marty, Seán, Kieran, Rory, Maura. He became deeply involved in the revival of traditional sailing craft of the Claddagh, such as the Gleoiteog and Galway hooker
. An outstanding achievement in this regard was his restoration of the Claddagh Lass, a gleoiteog that had spent nearly twenty years neglected and underwater. Connolly restored it in six months.
Connolly became involved in local politics in the early 1980s in the campaign against plans for a raw-sewage pump plant at The Swamp (now called South Park), beside the Claddagh
. He was elected to the Corporation in 1985 and was responsible for foothpaths, roads and seaside walks repaired. As Chairman of the Claddagh Residents Association, he and other members worked at laying pipes into Galway Bay
to ease sewage problems. In July 1987 he became the first Claddagh native to be elected Mayor of Galway. On 21 December 1987 he officially opened Galway's Quincentennial Bridge. On a thirteen-day business-and-tourism trip to Seattle, he was awarded by the State of Washington the titles of Honorary Distinguished Citizen, Ambassador of Good Will, and Washington General. While in office he entertained eight foreign ambassadors. Among them was the British Ambassador, who expressed a wish to sail in Mayor Connolly's Gleoiteog, though this proved impossible for security reasons.
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...
from 1987–1988.
Biography
Connolly was born in the old CladdaghCladdagh
Claddagh is an area close to the centre of Galway city, where the Corrib River meets Galway Bay. It was formerly a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city...
to Thomas Connolly (born in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
) and Mary McDonagh of Spanish Parade. He was a member of the Sea Scouts, a personal friend of actor Sean McClory
Sean McClory
Sean McClory was an Irish actor whose career spanned six decades and included well over 100 films and television series.-Early years:...
, and served two years on the ship Irish Poplar as ship's carpenter. He married Una Keaveney of Glenamaddy
Glenamaddy
Glenamaddy is a small town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies at the crossroads where the R362 and R364 regional roads intersect.Glenamaddy is the most important town in the northeastern corner of County Galway. It became the musical capital of Connacht during the 1960s when the Showband craze...
with whom he had children Thomas, Padraic, Marty, Seán, Kieran, Rory, Maura. He became deeply involved in the revival of traditional sailing craft of the Claddagh, such as the Gleoiteog and Galway hooker
Galway Hooker
The Galway hooker is a traditional fishing boat used in Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland. The hooker was developed for the strong seas there. It is identified by the distinctive sail formation. It consisted of a single mast with a main sail and two foresails...
. An outstanding achievement in this regard was his restoration of the Claddagh Lass, a gleoiteog that had spent nearly twenty years neglected and underwater. Connolly restored it in six months.
Connolly became involved in local politics in the early 1980s in the campaign against plans for a raw-sewage pump plant at The Swamp (now called South Park), beside the Claddagh
Claddagh
Claddagh is an area close to the centre of Galway city, where the Corrib River meets Galway Bay. It was formerly a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city...
. He was elected to the Corporation in 1985 and was responsible for foothpaths, roads and seaside walks repaired. As Chairman of the Claddagh Residents Association, he and other members worked at laying pipes into Galway Bay
Galway Bay
Galway Bay is a large bay on the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway in the province of Connacht to the north and the Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster to the south. Galway city is located on the northeast side of the bay. It is about long and from to in breadth...
to ease sewage problems. In July 1987 he became the first Claddagh native to be elected Mayor of Galway. On 21 December 1987 he officially opened Galway's Quincentennial Bridge. On a thirteen-day business-and-tourism trip to Seattle, he was awarded by the State of Washington the titles of Honorary Distinguished Citizen, Ambassador of Good Will, and Washington General. While in office he entertained eight foreign ambassadors. Among them was the British Ambassador, who expressed a wish to sail in Mayor Connolly's Gleoiteog, though this proved impossible for security reasons.
External links
- http://www.galwaycity.ie/AllServices/YourCouncil/HistoryofTheCityCouncil/PreviousMayors/