*Outgoing Director of Services at Clare County Council and newly appointed Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary receiving a presentation from John O’Malley, SEO of West Clare MD, and staff of West Clare MD, Clare Tourism and the Rural Development Directorate at Vandeleur Walled Garden & Visitor Centre in Kilrush. Photograph: Eamon Ward
COROFIN’s Leonard Cleary received glowing plaudits as he bids farewell to Clare County Council after twenty seven years of service.
Cleary begins his new role as Chief Executive of Galway City Council on Monday, ending his near three decades of service to local government in Co Clare.
Staff and elected members of the Council were out in force on Tuesday evening with a gathering in the Foyer of Áras Contae an Chláir to mark Leonard’s contribution to Clare County Council.
Leonard held several senior leadership roles in Clare County Council, including in Housing, Tourism, Human Resources, and Community and Rural Development. He also was Ennis Town Clerk in Ennis Town Council with a significant interest in urban economic regeneration.
Under his watch as Director of Service, Clare County Council was the first local authority in the country to produce a Rural Development Strategy supported by a full Directorate. Subsequently, he led the first dedicated Tourism Development Directorate in a local authority in the country guided by a ten-year County Tourism Strategy.
Colleagues in the tourism directorate of the Council held a farewell lunch with Leonard on Friday last in the Vandeleur Walled Gardens where he was presented with a framed photograph documenting his time in the Council. On Tuesday, he was presented with more gifts including a Galway jersey.
Serving on the team in Clare was a “privilege”, Leonard told the gathering while extending “deep gratitude” for the friendships gained. “Success is measured for me in the strength of the partnership, the ethos of all of us as colleagues,” he added. Leonard said, “I always enjoyed the interaction with elected members, democracy in action and always the spice of political theatre, I always found a healthy dynamic between staff and elected members”.
Mentoring, support and belief shown by Pat Dowling when he arrived to the Council seven years ago was recalled by Leonard. “It didn’t feel like work at all because I was with teams that I enjoyed being with”. He has been part of the management team of the Council since 2006. He paid special thanks to Claire Rutherford who has been his PA for the past twelve years.
“I am looking ahead to my next chapter, I’m surprised and excited, I play to stay in contact with my friends in Clare and will make new friends in Galway, here’s to the next ten years in the city of the tribes”.
Although not present, Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) received an indirect mention from Leonard, “I’m on the lookout for a civil servant called John Joe who sends his regards,” this in reference to the Lissycasey’s long-running view that a civil servant dubbed John Joe is running the country.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) noted that getting appointed to the job in Galway was “some achievement”. “He is leaving to take up such a prestigious position which shows now just how fortunate we were to have him”. Replacing him “will be impossible”, the O’Callaghans Mills man said.
“His many achievements leave an extensive legacy,” Cllr Cooney said while pointing to the development of tourism and rural strategies in Clare plus the creation of digi hubs in the county. Cllr Cooney praised the “calm wise manner” shown by Leonard.
Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling quipped that they will have to start charging a levy for local authorities in Galway for taking Clare talent with Cleary following Galway County Council Chief Executive Liam Conneally across the border. “Most of us work hard, commit to the cause and do what is right and good for the county, Leonard his displayed that commitment in spades, always took on challenge whether rural development, tourism or the acquisition of the Shannon Heritage sites,” he said.
Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) noted “it is important to say good friends”. He described the public servant as “brave and courageous” and added, “you brought maximum attention to the role. Your calmness has been phenomenal, that has been why you’ve excelled in the position”. Lynch said, “there was times in Kilrush when we were struggling to stay afloat, you were the calm head”.
Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) who is Cathaoirleach of the Rural Development SPC described it as “a bittersweet day”. He stated, “When Leonard told me he got the job, I congratulated him but I was also sorry. He is a real public servant, he has an understanding on how to work with state side and political side”. Stressing that he was sad to see Cleary depart, Hayes said, “we didn’t think he might be going when he applied but why wouldn’t they take him, they took Liam.. I am sad to see you go..
Leonard’s involvement in acquiring the Old Rectory in Mountshannon was lauded by Cllr Pat Burke (FG), he suggested that this could be recognised when the time comes to opening the visitor centre.
“Our greatest challenge at the time was developing the tourist package,” Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) recalled of his year as Mayor of Clare while acknowledging that Cleary was of huge help at the time.
Galway “will benefit” from his addition, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) predicted. “We may not have been able to acquire Bunratty only for you”. Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said, “you really did outstanding work and changed the lives of so many people”.
One month out from the local election “the amount of councillors that cancelled canvassing to be here today says a lot,” remarked Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF). “You were able to take everything back and come up with a plan,” he said. “You always had our back,” Cllr Mary Howard (FG) maintained. “The amount of work you could do and turned things around,” was also praised by the Ennis woman.
Senior engineer, Seán Lenihan recalled sharing an office with the Director of Services on the Kilrush Rd. “I replaced you in housing and the transition you gave was second to none,” which he said was testament to his character.
