‘Lady’ Madeleine Argue retires from local politics

A presentation was made to ‘The Lady’ of local politics in Cavan, Cllr Madeleine Argue, who officially retired from the political arena this week after a career spanning over 25 years.

Cllr Argues’s colleagues and members of the executive of Cavan County Council paid tribute to her on Monday where she attended her last meeting as a local area representative in the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District.

The Fine Gael politician took over the reins on the local authority from her father, the late Senator Andy O'Brien, in 1999. Cllr Argue’s daughter Niamh is now campaigning for the seat being vacated by her mother in next month’s Local Elections, which will take place on June 7.

Leading the tributes on Monday, Fianna Fáil party whip Cllr John Paul Feeley said Cllr Argue was “a hard working and capable lady” who followed in the footsteps of her late father. “Madeleine’s family are very proud of her service to Cavan County Council and we as councillors have been very lucky because Madeleine was a good friend to all of us,” he continued.

“Madeleine's daughter will have her work cut out to be as good a councillor as her mother was but I’m sure she will be very capable if given the opportunity," added Cllr Feeley.

Cllr T.P. O’Reilly (FG), meanwhile, described Cllr Argue as a “lady”; while Cllr Winston Bennett (FG) wished her “the very best” for her retirement.

Colleagues for a quarter a century, Cllr Peter McVitty pointed to how he and Cllr Argue were both elected for the first time for Fine Gael in 1999. “Myself and Madeleine have had some very good years on Cavan County Council and I wish her well in her retirement,” he added.

Cllr Carmel Brady (FG) also joined the tributes, saying Cllr Argue had been a wonderful mentor to her over the years.

“Madeleine is a lady, a good friend and an ally, and after 25 years of service, her knowledge and insights will be missed by all of us here,” she continued.

Ballyjamesduff's Trevor Smith added: “Madeleine worked hard for this county over the last 25 years and I wish her all the very best for her retirement.”

Cllr Val Smith (FG) pointed to the “tremendous” work Cllr Argue had done over the last 25 years; while Cllr Clifford Kelly (FF) highlighted Cllr Argue’s strengths of character. “Madeleine is very straight with you and you always know where you stand with her,” he continued.

Although from different parties, both Cllr Kelly and Cllr Argue had served together for many years on Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board, and Cavan VEC before that.

Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF) then described Cllr Argue as one of her “closest friends” on the local authority. “She was always there; being encouraging and supportive. I hope our friendship will continue long into the future,” she said.

Cllr Aine Smith (FF) pointed to the “great role model” Cllr Argue had been for female councillors. She said they both had “great chats" since Cllr Smith’s arrival on the local authority in March 2023 following the death of her father Séan.

“I wish you the very best; you have been very good to me and I want to acknowledge that,” she added.

Cllr Sarah O’Reilly (Aontú) then pointed to Cllr Argue’s “genuineness and kindness”.

“She was supportive to all women on this council and I wish you the best of luck for the future.”

Cllr Shane P O’Reilly (Independent Ireland) added: “She was the mammy of this Council and I will never forget Madeleine's kindness when my late father was sick. I was having a bad day and she asked me how my dad was. I could barely answer her but she gave me the biggest hug and it meant so much to me in that moment.

Madeleine was very good to everyone and it has been a pleasure to serve with her.”

Belturbet's Brendan Fay (Independent) said Cllr Argue would always “put you on the right road” and he wished her health and happiness for the future; while Cllr Aidan Fitzpatrick (FF) added: “You were an excellent councillor Madeleine; enjoy your retirement, enjoy life and best of luck to your daughter Niamh in the local elections.”

Cathaoirleach, Cllr Philip Brady (FF) also paid tribute to Cllr Argue. He also passed along well wishes from his father Danny ‘The Gunner’ Brady who served for a number of years alongside Cllr Argue on Cavan County Council. “Thank you for everything you have done for me over the last 10 years,” he continued. “I wish you health and happiness for the years ahead.”

Acting CE of Cavan County Council Eoin Doyle said Cllr Argue was respected by all the staff at HQ and was regarded as “an absolute lady”.

“It’s 25 years since she was first elected and she served as Cathaoirleach in 2018,” he added.

Concluding the proceedings, Cllr Argue told those gathered that she grew up in a house where “public service was everything”.

“My father Andy was a teacher, a farmer and a politician and I was honoured when he passed the baton on to me. I have made great friends over the years and we have a great partnership on Cavan County Council between members and the executive.

“It has been a privilege to do this job; we should always have the courage to not choose popularity but to be, instead, a person of conviction,” she concluded.