Y5 Politics and History students Attend Philip Monahan Lecture at UCC

On Tuesday, 4th March 2025, a group of fifth-year students from Kinsale Community School attended the Philip Monahan Lecture at University College Cork (UCC). The event, organised by the Department of Government and Politics, featured a keynote speech by John Moran, Ireland’s first-ever directly elected mayor. 

The lecture provided students with a unique insight into the changing landscape of local government and democracy in Ireland. John Moran, former Secretary General of the Department of Finance, was elected as Limerick’s first directly elected mayor in June 2024 following a groundbreaking public vote. Moran shared his experiences, the challenges he faces in his role, and his vision for the future of Limerick, sparking thought-provoking discussions on the future of local democracy. 

During his address, Moran highlighted the importance of re-establishing democracy in Ireland and the significance of giving people a greater say in how their cities are governed. The students were particularly engaged by the question of whether the Limerick experiment should be extended to other cities across the country, including Cork – where voters rejected the proposal in 2019. 

The event was a fantastic opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of politics, governance, and active citizenship – key elements of the Politics and Society curriculum at KCS. The students returned inspired, ready to reflect on how such changes could impact their own communities. 

A big thank you to UCC and Aodh Quinlivan for extending the invitation and hosting such an engaging and informative event.