Cllr Seán Kelly was elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council for the 2025-2026 term of office at the Annual General Meeting at County Hall, Dundalk on Monday, 16th June.
Cllr Kelly was nominated for the role by Cllr Andrea McKevitt and seconded by outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Kevin Callan.
In his address, the newly elected Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seán Kelly, said: “I want to thank my fellow councillors for their support today. I am conscious of the trust they have placed in me and the honour it is to lead Louth County Council for the next year. I promise to fulfil this role to the best of my ability and to act impartially and fairly to all members, regardless of political affiliation or none.
“Over the past six years, I have witnessed the professionalism and dedication of those working behind the scenes to keep this county moving. The commitment shown by the staff of Louth County Council to public service is far greater than most can imagine. I look forward to working with each of them to build on this foundation and to show the people of Louth what an incredible organisation this is.
“Louth is a great place to call home, and we must never lose sight of that. Over the next year, I aim to ensure that we deliver our services to the highest standard and build meaningful connections with individuals and communities who may feel that the council has no role in their lives. It’s time to bring our work to every corner of the county and highlight all that we do.
“I also want to acknowledge the presence of my parents, Seán and Katrina, and my sisters, Denise and Louise, who were in the public gallery. This day is just as much for them as it is for me. Too often, we don’t take the chance to acknowledge our parents while we can, and I am proud and grateful that they were here to share this moment with me.”
Leas Cathaoirleach
Cllr Andrea McKevitt was elected Leas-Cathaoirleach, succeeding Cllr John Reilly. She was nominated by Cllr Emma Coffey and seconded by Cllr John Sheridan.
The following were the previous office holders:
| 2024 - 2025 | Kevin Callan |
| 2023 - 2024 | Paula Butterly |
| 2022 - 2023 | Conor Keelan |
| 2021 - 2022 | Pio Smith |
| 2020 - 2021 | Dolores Minogue |
| 2018 – 2020 | Liam Reilly |
| 2017 – 2018 | Colm Markey |
| 2016 – 2017 | Paul Bell |
| 2015 – 2016 | Peter Savage |
| 2014 – 2015 | Oliver Tully |
| 2013 – 2014 | Declan Breathnach |
| 2012 – 2013 | Finnan McCoy |
| 2011 – 2012 | Oliver Tully |
| 2010 – 2011 | Peter Savage |
| 2009 – 2010 | Jim D’Arcy |
| 2008 – 2009 | Declan Breathnach |
| 2007 – 2008 | Jimmy Mulroy |
| 2006 – 2007 | Jim Lennon |
| 2005 – 2006 | Peter Savage |
| 2004 – 2005 | Terry Brennan |
| 2003 – 2004 | Nicholas McCabe |
| 2002 – 2003 | Jacqui McConville |
| 2001 – 2002 | Tommy Reilly |
| 2000 – 2001 | Nicholas McCabe |
| 1999 – 2000 | Peter Savage |
| 1998 – 1999 | Miċéal O’Donnell |
| 1997 – 1998 | Martin Bellew |
| 1996 – 1997 | Thomas Reilly |
| 1995 – 1996 | W Frank Godfrey |
| 1994 – 1995 | Nicholas McCabe |
| 1993 – 1994 | Jim Cousins |
| 1992 – 1993 | Peter Savage |
| 1991 – 1992 | John McConville |
| 1990 – 1991 | Miċéal O’Donnell |
| 1989 – 1990 | Nicholas McCabe |
| 1988 – 1989 | Peter Savage |
| 1986 – 1988 | John McConville |
| 1985 – 1986 | Peter Savage |
| 1983 – 1985 | Nicholas McCabe |
| 1982 – 1983 | Patrick Buckley |
| 1981 – 1982 | Nicholas McCabe |
| 1980 – 1981 | Tommy Elmore |
| 1979 – 1980 | Nicholas McCabe |
| 1976 – 1979 | Peter J Moore |
| 1975 – 1976 | Patrick J O’Hare |
| 1974 – 1975 | Nicholas McCabe |
| 1973 – 1974 | Patrick J O’Hare |
| 1967 – 1973 | Patrick S Donegan |
| 1960 – 1967 | Bernard Rafferty |
| 1958 – 1960 | William Woods |
| 1957 – 1958 | Laurence Walsh |
| 1955 – 1957 | William Woods |
| 1925 – 1955 | James T McGee |
| 1920 – 1925 | James Murphy |
| 1918 – 1920 | Patrick McGee |
| 1913 – 1918 | William A Doran |
| 1899 – 1913 | Peter Hughes |
