Chief executive of Clare County Council announces retirement
Pat Dowling to retire at the end of 2024 after eight years in top role
The chief executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling, has announced this week that he will retire at the end of 2024.
In a letter read at a full council meeting on Monday, November 11, Mr Dowling said that he wished to inform the council of his decision to "retire as chief executive with effect from December 31" this year.
"Working with Clare County Council has represented the pinnacle of my career, and I thank the all members, present anf former, for their support and cooperation," he said in his letter.
A native of Knockaderry, west Limerick and a graduate of UL, Mr Dowling has been a resident of west Clare since his appointment to the post of chief executive in September 2016.
"It has been my privilage to serve the council and the county for almost 8 1/2 years, and it is my earnest hope that I have made a positive contribution to the reputation and standing of the organisation," his letter continued.
"I look forward to observing the ongoing exploits of Clare County Council from my home in west Clare and I wish you all well for the future."
Prior to his appointment in Clare, Mr Dowling served as deputy chief executive in Limerick City and County Council.
He worked in local government for the past 22 years and had responsibility for the merger of Limerick City and County Councils, along with a number of other areas including housing and regeneration programmes in the Limerick City area.
Prior to joining local government, he worked with Clare Youth Service, National Youth Council of Ireland, Macra na Feirme and Kildare LEADER Programme.
There was a warm and heartfelt reaction from councillors to the news, who offered their best wishes to Mr Dowling and wished him a happy retirement.
Led by Cathaoirleach Cllr Alan O'Callaghan who wished him 'health and happiness', many remarked on the eight years spent working with Mr Dowling and how much they would miss him, with Cllr Mary Howard and others commenting on how his door had always been open.
Cllr Michael Begley noted that if his replacement "is half as good, we will consider ourselves very lucky in Clare County Council".
Mr Dowling thanked the councillors present for their kind words, joking that it had only taken them "until today to say such nice things, but I'll take them".
He said that an interim chief executive would be selected from senior management at Clare County Council , and that they would take up that role in early December to allow for a smooth handover.
"It's important that we make sure there is provision for the future," he said.
The role will be permanently filled through a public recruitment competition which is expected to take place in the new year.
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