*Photograph: Gary Collins

Christy Curtin has announced he will retire from politics next month.

After keeping his cards close to his chest, the Miltown Malbay councillor announced to Clare FM and The Clare Champion that he would bring an end to his forty year service on the local authority. The Clare Echo reported last July that Curtin was considering his political future following the redrawing of electoral areas in the county.

In 1974, he ran as a Labour candidate in the Miltown electoral area but failed in his to be elected. He came back five years later as an Independent, he would top the poll and has done in every election since. Since 1991, his vote has grown in every single campaign.

According to the former secondary school teacher, the world of local politics is very different to the one he entered in the seventies. “You now have an intrusion as regards social media. When first elected, the only media was the pen and paper and the ordinary landline. Then in the mid nineties you had mobile phones, so you were instantly accessible at that point, you have to be. After all, you are the property of the people once you get the mandate from them at election time”.

“I feel I’ve made my contribution at this level. I have other commitments that I want to give my energy to. I’ve made great contacts and friendships and I always endeavoured to respect my opponent, even other councillors. I’ve built up good relationships over the years and I hope to retain those friendships into the future,” the 2010 Mayor of Clare told The Clare Champion.

He is a brother in law of Cllr PJ Kelly and the Lissycasey politician when speaking to The Clare Echo paid tribute to the outgoing Curtin. “He is a great councillor and a great friend. We had a common policy on a lot of fronts”.

His fellow parishioner Cllr Michael Hillery was the first elected representative to indicate his retirement with Richard Nagle, Tom McNamara and James Breen all following suit.

Related News

pepper 1
Sentencing of Pepper Group laptop thief postponed until Leaving Cert concludes
claire joe collins 1
'Check upstairs & outside' - inquest hears details on death of Kilnaboy couple
nile óg cusacks 1
Barefield family fun run & walk to raise funds for Clare group volunteering in Uganda
mick guinee 2
End of an era in Ei as Mick Guinee steps down as CEO

Advertisement

Latest News
nile óg cusacks 1
Barefield family fun run & walk to raise funds for Clare group volunteering in Uganda
john carmody 2
Antrim were deserving league winners says Carmody as Clare fall short
mick guinee 2
End of an era in Ei as Mick Guinee steps down as CEO
clare v cork u20 26-03-25 diarmuid stritch 1
Clare target better shooting efficiency & first championship win for Déise date
cork v clare u20 01-05-25 evan cahill 1
Clare's U20 footballers lose by nine points to Cork in Quilty
Premium
cork v clare u20 01-05-25 evan cahill 1
Clare's U20 footballers lose by nine points to Cork in Quilty
clare v limerick u20 22-03-25 luke pyne 1
Clare U20 footballers 'relishing chance' to play three more games in Munster
scariff sign 1
Judge triples prison time for Scariff bottom biter
clare v laois 15-03-25 cillian brennan 1
'We take real pride in performing in Cusack Park' - Clare captain Brennan
harry dinan 1
Dinan who was convicted of killing Clare school teacher pleads guilty to drug dealing

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement