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By Sean Moriarty

Cllr Michael Gleeson’s shock decision to retire after almost 40 years in active politics - which he announced at Wednesday's Killarney Municipal District meeting - marks a real end of an era on the local political landscape.

Cllr Gleeson surprised his elected Council colleagues by announcing his news at the end of the meeting that it was to be his last as an elected local representative.

It brings a very dynamic, effective and dignified four decades of active political representation to a close, according to Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.

The Killarney-based business group was just one of many organisations and individuals to pay tribute to the proud Spa GAA man.

“Tagann deireadh le gach rud is mó – all things must come to an end,” the former Killarney town mayor told the meeting. “Life is about to change as I bid farewell to public life.”

ELECTED

Mr Gleeson was co-opted to Kerry County Council in 1983 for the Labour Party. He retained the seat in the 1985 local elections until 1991.

In 1999 he was re-elected to Kerry County Council for the South Kerry Independent Alliance and served until the present time. Michael also served on Killarney Urban District Council and Town Council for many years from 1994 to 2014. He also served as Mayor of Killarney on several occasions during that time.

“I won’t miss it,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “I have been singularly blessed in life that I can move on, and that the past can quietly recede. I played football and I was a teacher and when I retired from both they all but disappeared.”

Mr Gleeson will attend the next full meeting of Kerry County Council but will not be present at the July Killarney Municipal District meeting.

Kerry Independent Alliance will need to select a candidate to replace Mr Gleeson on both Councils but no decision has been taken yet.

“I hope they select someone who will improve on what I have been trying to do,” he added.

TRIBUTES

His surprise announcement prompted a flurry of tributes from his Council colleagues.

“A man of tremendous integrity,” Killarney Mayor Brendan Cronin said.

“He had a long and distinguished career in politics and I am sad to see him retire,” Cllr Niall Kelleher said.
Mr Kelleher is also the President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce. “He always put the welfare and the well-being of his people, his town, his county and society first and his was a strong and influential voice for all,” he said as Chamber President.

“I never tired of hearing his eloquent speeches,” added Cllr Marie Moloney.

“Look at his record – he made Killarney a better place,” Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan said of his time in politics.

“His years of service are tremendous and admiral,” Cllr Maura Healy-Rae added.

“Michael served Killarney and Kerry very well,” Cllr Donal Grady said.

Colleagues in the Council’s executive also paid tribute.

“He had the good of the town at heart,” said town manager Angela McAllen, while Corporate Affairs SEO Pádraig Corkery added “I think honour and distinction are the two most suitable words for Mr Gleeson’s time in politics.”

Mayor of Kerry, Patrick O’Connor-Scarteen, said: “He has always been a man of integrity and honour, he was never afraid to make hard decisions. As a man of great faith, he was guided by his morals and principles in doing what he felt was best for Killarney, Kerry and its people.”

Norma Foley added that Cllr Gleeson was “a man of immense integrity, wit and generosity, proud of place and proud of county".

"We in Kerry have been the beneficiaries of his wonderful eloquence, enormous talent and considerable wisdom. Michael is deserving of a rich and happy retirement."

KILLARNEY LIFE

The Chamber of Tourism and Commerce said Cllr Gleeson can reflect on a job very well done when he looks back on his contribution to his town and his county, be it as a hugely respected teacher in the Presentation Monastery, as a local bard and scholar, as a community volunteer, as a member of Killarney Town Council, Killarney Municipal District Council and Kerry County Council, and as a very stylish and accomplished footballer with Kerry and his beloved Spa club.

“Michael Gleeson’s life in politics mirrored his life as a footballer in that he worked hard, he prepared well, he enjoyed great success, he left his mark and, at all times, he played the ball and not the man,” Mr Kelleher said.