‘The future is in our young people,’ says newly-elected Dundalk Cathaoirleach Robbie Nash
The Drogheda Independent“Call me Robbie,” says the new Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District.
Cllr. Robert Nash was elected to the chair at the annual meeting in June, and as a relatively new councillor, admits that the responsibilities of leading a Municipal District did weigh on him, initially at least.
"I did say at the MD meeting, after I took my seat as Cathaoirleach, that I’ve felt the pressure of being with the five kids at home, but I’ve never felt as nervous as I did that day!”
We chat all things Dundalk and planning for his first year in the role, and he offers a refreshingly honest take on the demands of being a working parent, with five children at home.
The Fine Gael Councillor values a down-to-earth approach, he adds, saying that his own life experiences were part and parcel of his election campaign last year.
"I have the same concerns that a lot of people do, things like access to affordable childcare, I have faced that in my own family life so I know what people are going through when they tell me how much of an issue it is for them.”
Stepping on to the political stage at a relatively later point in life brought its own benefits, says Cllr. Nash.
"I was always interested in politics, my great grandfather, James (Duker) Coburn, was a founding member of Fine Gael in 1933, so I grew up hearing stories about him, and it always intrigued me.”
His ancestor was indeed a key player in the shaping of Fine Gael in Louth, winning seven successive elections from 1933 up until 1951. He died in 1954, but passed the baton to his son George who won the subsequent by-election.
Fast forward two generations, and the Fine Gael family traditions were revived by Robbie when he was co-opted as a member of Louth County Council in June 2023. He replaced Cllr. Maria Doyle when she stepped away from political life, and was elected in June 2024.
In his “everyday life” the new Cathaoirleach worked as an electrician before joining Louth County Council Fire and Rescue. Still a member of the retained crew in Dundalk, he stood back from the full time post after he entered politics.
"I loved being a fireman, I still do. I would even go so far as to say that there are similarities with my work as a councillor. When a call comes in at the fire station, usually it is a member of the public needing help. The same is true now, when the phone rings, it is someone looking for help with an issue or problem in their local areas.”
Right now, he says, the list is long when it comes to issues he plans to work on over the next year.
"The beach in Blackrock and the water quality there is a huge issue at the minute. As chair of Dundalk MD I called for a special meeting with council officials.”
The meeting, held after we speak, saw Louth County Council write to the EPA to request testing of bathing water.
He has also called for the development of the Navvy Bank walkway to be made a “priority” saying that it is “a great amenity, but is not living up to its potential. We need better parking there, and better maintenance.”
Illegal dumping is “another huge issue in Dundalk” says Cllr. Nash, as he welcomed plans by Louth County Council to conduct a “reverse register” of households to identify where domestic waste is going.
Cllr Robert Nash new Cathaoirleach at Dundalk Municipal District
He has also joined a new committee overseeing St. Patrick’s cemetery, one of the largest in County Louth, which he hopes will soon include local undertakers and clergy.
"There are many good things happening in Dundalk, and indeed across the county, which we can be rightly proud of.”
He welcomes the new Safe Routes to School programme, the redevelopment of urban areas such as Bridge Street in Dundalk, and plans to revitalise the Long Walk area.
"Dundalk is a thriving town, and although there is much we can work on, I believe we need to celebrate all we are getting right.”
As vice chairman and underage mentor of Na Piarsaigh Blackrock GAA club and underage soccer coach with Bay FC, the new Cathaoirleach believes “the future is in our young people,” adding: “We must champion them.”
Asked if he encourages younger people to consider a career in politics, he admits: “I would say go in with your eyes wide open! But absolutely, yes I would. There is no better way to make a difference in your local community.”