Ex-Kildare mayor who met the Queen and Dalai Lama retires

A long-standing local politician based in the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) has officially retired from politics.

Fine Gael Cllr Brendan Weld, who was first elected as a councillor in 2009, was thanked for his work over the years by his fellow councillors and members of Kildare County Council (KCC) during a ceremony which took place just before the latest MD meeting, which took place on Friday, May 3 last.

Members of Cllr Weld's family were also in attendance at the ceremony.

Commenting on his career, Cllr Weld told the Leinster Leader: "I'd like to thank the people of the electoral area for their support, and also for electing me in the first place.

"It has been a great honour to represent them.

"I would also like to give a huge thank you to Sean Reilly, who is a former Fine Gael councillor, who was a tremendous help and gave me some great advice over the years."

Cllr Weld also acknowledged that while he is retiring, other issues remain to be tackled by both his colleagues and by KCC: "I have found that there is disconnect, to a degree, between local residents and KCC. I have been told about people not getting their phone calls and emails answered, which I have raised numerous times (to KCC)."

Brendan Weld officially retires from politics (File photograph).

He also pointed to the ongoing housing crisis, and in particular, it's impact on those in the farming community, as well as on those with special needs.

"The good news is that KCC is getting back to constructing social housing," he added.

Furthermore, he said that he looked back on his time as Mayor of Kildare for two terms favourably, and noted how he got the chance to meet Queen Elizabeth II and the Dalai Lama.

"It was a very busy period (of my life), but I thoroughly enjoyed it and met some fantastic people," he said.

Cllr Weld concluded by saying how he hopes to spend the rest of his days with his wife Jetta, his daughters Maeve and Gráinne, his son Brendan, and his grandchildren.

Cllr Weld was praised by his party colleague, Cllr Brendan Wyse: "Brendan Weld has been a good friend and mentor to me, ever since I first joined the council.

"He has always had a good sense of humour and remained in good form, through thick and thin.

"I hope he will still be around to give me advice when I need it, and I will miss working with him a lot."

He added: "I wish himself and Jetta (Cllr Weld's wife) the very best as he enjoys his retirement with her."

Independent Cllr McEvoy also had this to say about Cllr Weld: "What truly sets Cllr Weld apart is his remarkable ability to foster constructive relationships, both within the council chambers and throughout the wider community."

"As Brendan steps into a new chapter of his life, he will have more time to devote to his family and farming, and I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to him, Jetta, and the rest of his family," he concluded.