Current Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach of Dundalk MD

Cllr Andrea McKevitt was elected as the Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District for the 2026–2027 term of office at the Annual General Meeting held in the Town Hall, Dundalk on Tuesday, 9 June.

Cllr McKevitt was nominated for the position by Cllr Seán Kelly and seconded by Cllr Shane McGuinness. Cllr John Reilly was subsequently elected as Leas Cathaoirleach.

Cllr Andrea McKevitt and Cllr John Reilly

In her address to the Chamber, Cllr McKevitt said:

“It will be an honour to serve this district as Cathaoirleach for the coming year. Since the abolition of Dundalk Town Council in 2014, no native from the Carlingford side of Dundalk–Carlingford Municipal District has held this position, so this election is for the people of the Cooley Peninsula. Representation at this level carries real significance, and I am deeply honoured to have the opportunity to represent our community in this role.

“My family’s steadfast support has meant more to me than they will ever know. I want to thank my husband, Conor, who keeps me grounded when things get hectic, and I also want to say a very special thank you to my grandfather, Steffie, who turned 94 recently. He has been the driving force behind my political journey from the very beginning and one of my biggest inspirations in life.”

Cllr McKevitt also paid tribute to outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Robert Nash, stating:

“Cllr Nash has been an exceptional ambassador for this town and has done himself and his family incredibly proud over the past year. I have greatly appreciated the time, encouragement, and support he has offered me and others during his term as Cathaoirleach.

“Following in the footsteps of Cllr Nash - and previous Cathaoirleach of Dundalk MD, Cllr Seán Kelly - will certainly not be easy, as they have both carried out this role with great dedication, professionalism, and pride. I only hope I can do the position the same justice in the year ahead."

Previous Office Holders

2025  Robert Nash
2024  Sean Kelly
2023  Sean Kelly
2022  Kevin Meenan
2021  Maria Doyle
2020  Emma Coffey
2019  John McGahon
2018  Conor Keelan
2017  John McGahon
2016  Mark Dearey
2015  Maria Doyle
2014  Declan Breathnach
2013  Eamonn O’Boyle
2012  Jennifer Green
2011  Marianne Butler
2010  Conor Keelan
2009  Martin Bellew
2008  Séamus O’Caolain
2007  Jim D’Arcy
2006  Noel Lennon
2005  Martin Bellew
2004  Kevin Meenan
2003  Séamus Byrne
2002  Noel Lennon
2001  Séan Kenna
2000  Pearse O’Hanrahan
1999  Séamus O’Caolain
1998  Séamus Byrne
1997  Conor McGahon
1996  Noel Lennon
1995  Stephen Burns
1994  Pearse O’Hanrahan
1993  Neil McCann
1992  Lucia Murray
1991  Stephen Burns
1990  Séamus O’Caolain
1989  Stephen Burns
1988  Séamus O’Caolain
1987  Jimmy Callan
1986  Joseph Gallagher
1984 – 1985  Thomas Bellew
1981  Joseph Farrell
1982- 1983  John Carroll
1980  Bridie O’Rourke
1978 – 1979  Thomas Bellew
1977  Frank Carney
1976  Séamus McGuinness
1975  Bridie O’Rourke
1974  Jimmy Bellew
1973  Joseph Farrell
1972  Michael Coburn
1970 – 1971  Diarmuid O’Caolain
1969  Bridie O’Rourke
1967- 1968  Owen McGahon
1966  Matthew C. Mullen
1965  William Dixon
1964  Patrick Coffey
1963  Joseph Farrell
1962  Peter McKevitt
1961  Laurence Clifford
1960  George Berrills
1959  Patrick Coffey
1958  Joseph Farrell
1957  Laurence Clifford
1956  Peter McKevitt
1955  George Coburn
1954  Laurence Clifford
1953  Brian Cunningham
1951 – 1952  John McCourt
1950  Laurence Clifford
1945 – 1949  Peadar O’Dubhda
1943 – 1944  James Coburn
1936 – 1942  Joseph O’ Hagan
1932 - 1935  Patrick Hughes
1930 – 1931  James Coburn
1928 – 1929  Thomas O’Rourke
1925 - 1927  Patrick Deery
1918 – 1924  Peter Hughes
1915 – 1917  Thomas F. McGahon
1914  Joseph M. Johnson
1911 – 1913  Thomas F. McGahon
1908 – 1910  James McCourt
1905 – 1907  Henry O’Connell
1903 – 1904  Bernard Hamill
1902  Charles A. Duffy
1900 – 1901  Bernard Hamill
1899  John Hamill