*Outgoing Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling. Photograph: Joe Buckley
ELECTED members of Clare County Council were vociferous in their praise of Chief Executive Pat Dowling who confirmed that he will be retiring from the role at the end of the year.
County councillors had been expecting that the Chief Executive was going to retire but were caught off guard at Monday’s sitting of the local authority when he revealed that he was to leave Áras Contae an Chláir on December 31st after eight years.
Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) quipped, “I didn’t think it would only take a few months of my reign to shove you out the door”. He said Dowling would be “a big loss to the organisation. There was a lot achieved in the last number of years while you were in the reign but there are still seven or nine weeks left so we’ll squeeze another few ideas out of you”.
Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) commented, “it is a bit of a surprise but we knew it was going to happen at some stage because there was rumblings”. He recalled that in September 2016 when Dowling arrived he “brought a breath of fresh air and innovation to the county, you took a hands-on approach to so many projects” as he referenced the 2019 Irish Open in Lahinch, the acquisition of the Shannon Heritage sites and the redevelopment of the Vandeleur Walled Garden in Kilrush. “You left a mark on the county for when the history books will be written,” he added.
News of Dowling’s upcoming exit was “disappointing to hear,” Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) remarked. “This is disappointing to hear this today but what the Chief Executive has achieved in last eight and a half years for our county is simply unbelievable and he has put a great team around him, it took time dedication and hard work to achieve all of that,” he said. “You had the right vision for the county, you saw where you came in where you wanted county to go to. It will be disappointing to see you go but the day will come for everyone when we have to move on,” the O’Callaghans Mills man continued.
Hearing confirmation of the Chief Executive’s departure left Cllr Michael Begley (IND) “saddened”. He said, “It takes two sides to be prepared for it, Pat had to be prepared for it and we all had to be prepare for it”. First elected in 1991, the Clonlara man said, “I have served under four County Managers and I can say this without fear or fervour, for progressiveness and accessibility there was none to match Pat Dowling”. He added, “There was no favour attached to any element he done in my experience, if his replacement is half as good we’ll have to consider ourselves very lucky in this county”. Begley stated, “He became an honorary Clare man, to prove it he is going to continue living in the county and he has a connection to East Clare because his in-laws are still in my parish”.
Assuming ownership of the four Shannon Heritage sites stood out to Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) as Dowling’s biggest feat while praising his ability to discuss matters with councillors even during conflicts.
During COVID, Dowling became “great friends” with Cllr Mary Howard (FG) when she was Mayor of Clare. She recalled, “we didn’t know you when you came eight and a half years ago, one of the positives from COVID, myself, yourself, Liam (Conneally) and Carmel (Kirby) were rattling around this building and we got to know each other quite well, we became great friends and I cherish that, you kept an open door policy throughout”. She admitted she was surprised she didn’t get emotional, “it is great that you are making this call and not that you were sick making the call”.
Delivery of social housing was pinpointed by Cllr Pat Daly (FF) as an achievement during the eight year tenure of the Knockaderry native. “I’m here 25 years and I never saw as many social houses in the last eight years”.
“It is a difficult day for all of us here in the Chamber hearing the news that we were all aware was possible to come,” observed Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG). “To have left the legacy that you have is extraordinary,” said the Lisdoonvarna representative. He added, “I look forward to the book, I’m sure you have the notes taken, we’ve come through COVID and refugee crisis, I’ll never forget one of your lines from the time which was it is better to light the candle than curse the darkness, you certainly lit a very bright candle for Co Clare”.
Timing of the announcement also caught Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) on the hop. “I knew the decision was coming but I wasn’t expecting it today,” he admitted. The Kilrush man said he would “never forget” Dowling ringing councillors during the pandemic to tell them “things would be okay”. He commented, “The sign of a leader is when you can direct someone to achieve something they are trying to do” and pointed to the different examples of practical advice offered.
An open door policy improved relations, Cllr John Crowe (FG) maintained. “You made a statement that you would create so many jobs, not alone did you achieve that but I think you doubled it, you have a fantastic vision”.
When he made his return to the Council as a co-opted councillor five years ago, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) reflected that Dowling was “one of the first people I met and you made me feel at ease and treated me with courtesy”. Helping to drive visitors to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park since the Council took over the site will always be remembered, the Cratloe man said. Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) shared similar sentiments of a warm welcome he received when he returned to political life.
West Clare groups will benefit from Dowling in the coming years, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) predicted. “I hope and expect you’ll be heavily involved in West Clare community groups and be a huge asset in driving things forward, I look forward to working with you in West Clare in a different capacity”.
According to Cllr Shane Talty (FF), “It is no great surprise but it is a bit out of the blue today”. He said, “you were willing to listen, once you were convinced and believed in the project the simple instruction was to deliver and it will be done”. Lahinch Leisure Centre’s transformation was made possible by the Chief Executive, he maintained, “Historically County Managers treated Leisure Centre with disdain, once you get your head around it and felt that it was a proper thing to do you helped to deliver a top class facility”.
Time at which Dowling’s eight years in the top seat ‘flew by’, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) noted. “What really resonates with me is the progressive mindset and how positive you are,” the Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District stated. She admitted she was “emotional” thinking of the great efforts to organise the homecoming for Clare’s All-Ireland winning hurlers. “You did us proud in Ennis and the county and a limerick man doing it, I think you’ve become more of a Clare man than Limerick, we’d all love to be taking a one way ticket to Spain like you are doing”.
Well wishes were also voiced by Cllr Dinny Gould (IND), “I’m not living too far from you so we will meet down the line” with Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) praising the work during his tenure. The drive Dowling had for Clare to progress has been evident to see, Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) stated. “As a new councillor you made me feel very welcome, it is amazing to sit in a room and have people speak so highly of you,” acknowledged Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF).
Clare County Council’s crest of being loyal to heritage was epitomised by Dowling in his loyalty to councillors through “openness and support”, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) said, “you have succeeded well given the tributes”. “I never the got a chance to test the mettle of the relationship, I would have given it a shot and tested the open door policy, it might have been shut in my face over the next five years,” quipped Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF). A sense of openness and smiling as a greeting stood out for Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) when giving her praise.
Sourcing funding was an achievement of the Chief Executive, in the eyes of Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG). “You came with huge credentials, you’re leaving with a legacy of achievements, you had great contacts with the Department you were always able to get the money, you shuffled the pack when you came and you did again, we never spoke in Kilkee, we waved as we passed each other, I look forward to having a drink with Rose and you at Christmas”.
“I’m surprised it took ye till today to say such nice things about me,” the Chief Executive jested. He said it was a myth that his partner Rose was also retiring. “It was a difficult decision to arrive at, who knows when the time is right, we will have ample opportunity to have a chat and a drink, to celebrate and have a drink”. He concluded, “life goes on for everybody”.
Councillors led by the Mayor then proceeded to give a standing ovation to the Chief Executive.
