Mayor hopes to make his mark in 47 days

Kilkenny's new mayor has ambitious plans for his term of office, but even he admits he is unlikely to implement them all.

Independent Councillor John Bolger was the unanimous choice last week of his fellow corporation members to succeed Mr Tommy Delaney, who died suddenly last month.

After 25 years on the corporation, it was Mr Bolger's first time to be elected mayor.

It will also be his last, as he will not be contesting next month's elections.

He will have one of the shortest terms of office of any mayor anywhere, just 47 days. But he is determined to make the most of his limited opportunity.

"I have a headful of things to do and I'll never get to them all, but I would hope at the end of the six weeks I'll be able to say I did something with it, other than just eating dinners and telling people they're great," he says.

A member of Amnesty International, the new mayor hopes he can help raise that organisation's profile in Kilkenny. Tackling the city's growing traffic congestion is another item high on his agenda.

"We should be aiming to reduce the volume of traffic in the city. It's a mile from the city centre to the outskirts but people want to drive right to their doors," he says. "It should not be asking too much of able-bodied people that they walk a small part of the way to work."

Another priority is to find a way of formally acknowledging work done in the community by people whose contribution might otherwise go unrecognised. There are a number of people whom the new mayor would like to see honoured in some way before he steps down.

Originally from Ferns, Co Wexford, Mr Bolger says being elected mayor was "a great honour", but the office is also one "which allows political activity. I would see it as an opportunity to promote the things you're interested in, so long as you do it in a reasonable way and use the office well."

Mr Bolger (62), who teaches in Kilkenny College, said he was surprised at his election, which took place after his colleagues decided to set aside party pacts on this occasion.

"I've been very touched and amazed at the amount of congratulations and good wishes I've received, not least from my students at the school."