Glowing tributes to 'unique and decent' local politician

Fond tributes were paid to the late Margaret Adams at last week's meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Brendan Mulroy said his former party colleague was a very formidable woman and a leading light for females in politics and life in general, adding: “It was a great education sitting round the table with her. She was a great help to me in politics and also to my colleagues.

“She was no shrinking violet and if she believed in things passionately she would work solidly on it. She had great humanity and Westport is a far better place for having had her in it. 

"One of her pet projects was Westport Custom House Studios and Art Gallery and she put a lot of effort into it and how well it looks today is a fine testament to her.” 

Cllr Mulroy said that while it was customary to adjourn municipal meetings as a mark of respect when public representatives pass on, the late Cllr Adams “would frown on taking time out and would want business to continue". He instead proposed a minute's silence in her memory.

Fine Gael Cllr Peter Flynn said he knew the late councillor a long time - not just in politics but as a next door neighbour in King's Hill when he was growing up.

“She would call me a cheeky pup and nothing much of that changed over the 50 years we knew each other!” 

Cllr Flynn said she had made a huge impact on life in Westport and West Mayo generally by giving 40 years of service to the town council, county council and many voluntary organisations. 

“The Custom House was her real pride and joy and she put so much work into turning it into an amazing building and keeping the doors open. When the difficult decisions needed to be made she never backed away and Westport and Mayo is a better place for those decisions. 

"Back in the '70s and '80s those who grew up in Westport and who can compare it to what we have now, with our leisure centre and cinema and all the development in the whole area out to the quay, none of this would have happened without the likes of her and it is a lesson to us all that sometimes we do have to make difficult decisions and step on toes along the way." 

Cllr Flynn added that the late councillor was also a main proponent for the effectiveness of town councils and even went to Strasbourg to fight for them after their abolition. 

Independent Cllr John O’Malley said he knew Margaret Adams before politics when she ran Hoban's pub at the Octagon.

“A few weeks ago we chatted and I remembered those days and the craic, those were the days. Margaret was very straight and honest. She could run the bar and take care of politics. She was always good and decent and straight with me and would work with you and never put you down or try to get one over on you. She will be missed greatly." 

Fine Gael Cllr Gerry Coyle said he had the privilege of sitting on the county council with her, and even though her politics were Fianna Fáil, she was family to all of her colleagues.

“She was a lovely person and very helpful... a unique character who always put her area first and not politics.” 

Independent Cllr Chris Maxwell added: "She was the old stock but had a massive way of looking to the future and progressing things and she was a great friend of Louisburgh’s as well and will be sadly missed.” 

Cllr Paul McMcNamara supported the sentiments and acknowledged all the good work the late Cllr Adams did as a public representative and extended his sincere condolences to the Adams and Kenny family, following which one minute of silence was observed in her honour.