Mary Byrne
Encyclopedia
Mary Byrne was the Mayor of Galway
from 1975–1976 and again from 1984–1985.
One of two children of Michael Byrne of Newry
, County Down
, and Brigid Kelly of Ballymacward
, County Galway
, Byrne served as a nurse in the city's old Central Hospital and later as staff-nurse at Galway Regional Hospital. She eventually became a Sister and worked in the Casualty Department for twenty-two years. She was a member of the Western Health Board and Chairperson of the Galway branch of the Irish Nurses Organisation.
Politically active due to her father's influence, Byrne was an active member of Fianna Fáil
from the 1940s, and successfully ran for election to Galway Corporation in 1967, serving seventeen years as a councillor. Her first term of office coincided with International Women's Year
. He brother, Michael, died during her term, in May 1975.
She was re-elected for the term 1984-85, the Quincentennial year of the Mayorality. In commemoration of this, Galway's Quincentennial Bridge, spanning the Corrib
from Terryland to Newcastle, was begun. The foundation stone was laid by An Tánaiste, Dick Spring
, on 15 December 1984. The following May, she herself laid the foundation stone of the new City Hall at College Road, which was in use by 1991.
She died in 2004.
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 1975–1976 and again from 1984–1985.
One of two children of Michael Byrne of Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, and Brigid Kelly of Ballymacward
Ballymacward
Ballymacward is a village in County Galway, Ireland, on the R359 regional road between the main road and rail networks which traverse east-west, 10 miles from Ballinasloe and approximately 30 miles from Galway City...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, Byrne served as a nurse in the city's old Central Hospital and later as staff-nurse at Galway Regional Hospital. She eventually became a Sister and worked in the Casualty Department for twenty-two years. She was a member of the Western Health Board and Chairperson of the Galway branch of the Irish Nurses Organisation.
Politically active due to her father's influence, Byrne was an active member of Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
from the 1940s, and successfully ran for election to Galway Corporation in 1967, serving seventeen years as a councillor. Her first term of office coincided with International Women's Year
International Women's Year
International Women's Year was the name given to 1975 by the United Nations. Since that year March 8 has been celebrated as International Women's Day, and the United Nations Decade for Women, from 1976–1985, was also established.-International:...
. He brother, Michael, died during her term, in May 1975.
She was re-elected for the term 1984-85, the Quincentennial year of the Mayorality. In commemoration of this, Galway's Quincentennial Bridge, spanning the Corrib
Corrib
Corrib has multiple meanings. Among the possible ones are:*Lough Corrib, a lake in the west of Ireland, north of Galway.*River Corrib, a river connecting Lough Corrib to Galway Bay through the city of Galway....
from Terryland to Newcastle, was begun. The foundation stone was laid by An Tánaiste, Dick Spring
Dick Spring
Richard "Dick" Spring is an Irish businessman and former politician. He was first elected as a Labour Party Teachta Dála in 1981 and retained his seat until 2002. He became leader of the Labour Party in 1982, and held this position until 1997...
, on 15 December 1984. The following May, she herself laid the foundation stone of the new City Hall at College Road, which was in use by 1991.
She died in 2004.