Tributes paid to the man with a grá for the community

Paddy McDonald retires

Tributes have been paid to a popular local councillor in the Bailieborough community who lost his seat in the last Local Elections and has since retired.

Paddy McDonald’s popularity cannot be measured by Facebook likes or views on Tiktok videos. “I like to meet someone face to face, hear their problems and try to get it solved to the best of my ability,” he said to the Celt previously about social media.

Never one for the limelight, going about his business quietly and reserved, is what the local politician is known for. His impact on the community of Bailieborough and beyond over two decades is being acknowledged.

Originally from Knockbride, Paddy moved to Bailieborough at 17 in 1969 where he’s lived ever since. He worked in Flair International for 40 years making shower enclosures and bathroom accessories. He joined Sinn Féin in 1980 and was first elected to Cavan County Council in 2004, and held the seat for the party for 20 years.

The locals know him from manning the gates at the GAA pitch or waving the flags behind the goal posts. He’s picked up litter with Tidy Towns and he has chaired the Bailieborough Community Association for 10 years. A keen walker, Paddy enjoys the Castle Lake surroundings. He noticed things that needed improvement and worked hard to get them done, never failing to mention all the people who were involved. A maybe simple, but important issue was adjusting the flow of traffic in Bailieborough that Paddy pushed hard to achieve.

“You have to show the grá for the community first and foremost,” is something Cllr Stiofán Conaty has learnt from Paddy McDonald.

The Bailieborough man is inspiring the next generation of Sinn Féin representatives lilke first time Councillor Stiofán, who regards Paddy as a mentor. “He took me under his wing as the energetic young fellow that I was. He kind of put the stabilisers on me and put me in the right direction.”

“He’s always encouraging and that feeds through into people’s perception of him and how much he was highly respected in Bailieborough over the years and indeed around Cavan.”

September last, Paddy sadly lost his beloved wife Brenda, who proudly stood by him and backed him in all his undertakings.

He feels and shows grá for his family, his community and always for our native tongue, adds Cllr Conaty.

“No conversation ever ends without slán go fóill.”

He may not be a councillor anymore, but Cllr Conaty hopes “With Paddy’s continued support, we’ll be able to grow in what we have” - in the Irish language, the party and the community.