Former Wicklow council plasterer recognised for 50-year career that led to him managing major centre
The Wicklow PeopleFor 50 years, Martin Walsh has been a constant presence in Wicklow life — and last month, that extraordinary commitment was honoured at the county’s Long Service Awards.
In an era where the average career can be defined by frequent job changes, a remarkable group of public servants in County Wicklow is proving that loyalty still anchors the community.
Last month, the Arklow Bay Hotel played host to a poignant milestone: the Wicklow County Council Long Service Awards.
The ceremony celebrated the collective wisdom and unwavering dedication of staff members marking 25, 40, and even 50 years of unbroken service to life in the garden county.
The event, a cornerstone of the council’s internal calendar, serves as a formal recognition of the stored knowledge and stability that veteran staff provide.
While dozens of staff members were honoured, several individual stories captured the heart of the evening. Among those receiving significant praise was Martin Walsh.
Martin was specifically lauded for his role at the Wicklow Campus in Rathnew. For years, he has been a familiar face to students, residents, and council staff, earning a reputation for exceptional helpfulness and professionalism.
For many in the Rathnew area, Martin represents the human face of the council, a sentiment reflected in the warm applause he received during the ceremony. His presence at the campus has become synonymous with the council’s mission to be accessible and supportive to the public.
Reflecting on the evolution of the Rathnew site, Martin spoke warmly of his time there, from the days of the boarding school to its current life as a centre for education and film.
Having famously protected the school’s heritage during a fire in 2011, Martin has seen the 10,000 sq. ft. courtyard transition into a modern creative engine for the county.
“It was amazing to be at the heart of creativity,” Martin remarked, looking back on his 15 years of service at the centre. As a council employee, his work often involved managing the campus facilities and supporting the Local Enterprise Office initiatives within the hub.
“The campus is going from strength to strength, and seeing it thrive as a hub for new ideas makes all those years of being involved feel truly worthwhile.”
The 10,000 sq. ft. courtyard was much more than just a workspace for Martin; it was the heart of the Clermont story. From the discipline of the boarding school days to the bustling heart of creativity that defines the Wicklow County Campus today, Martin was the one constant ensuring it remained in top shape.
The image of him working to help manage that massive space through decades of change, and even protecting its history during a fire, really paints a picture of a dedicated guardian.
For 35 years before his stint in Rathnew, Martin served as a plasterer for Wicklow County Council, a role that saw him perfecting the walls of thousands of homes across the county.
From the old school methodology of sand and cement to the modern equipment and skim finishes of today, Martin was a master of his craft. He witnessed the evolution of building techniques firsthand, ensuring that families across Wicklow had quality roofs over their heads.
Martin looked back on his journey with a sense of fulfilment.
“My time had come,” he noted, adding that the “ceremony was very enjoyable”, a fitting tribute to a man who remained a constant through fires, school closures, and the birth of a new creative era for Wicklow.
The 2026 awards come at a time when local authorities across Ireland are grappling with recruitment and retention challenges. The public sector has faced significant skills shortages over recent years, making the retention of veteran staff more critical than ever. The council uses these ceremonies to build a culture of recognition, helping to retain specialist knowledge that is often difficult to replace.
Wicklow County Council currently employs a diverse workforce of more than 900 people. Long-serving members act as vital mentors to newer recruits, passing down institutional memory that is often lost in high-turnover environments. This mentorship was a recurring theme of the evening, with younger colleagues attending the hotel ceremony to cheer on their senior counterparts.
Opening the ceremony, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, expressed her profound gratitude for the honourees. She noted that the longevity of these careers is not merely a personal achievement but a vital community asset.
“The contribution of the staff in their many years of service is a true reflection of the dedication to their work,” Cllr. Corrigan said.
“They have strengthened our communities through this unwavering commitment, and it is only fitting that they have been recognised in these awards. These individuals have been the backbone of our local government, ensuring that services remain consistent even as the world around us changes.”
The sentiment was echoed by the local authority’s chief executive Emer O’Gorman, who highlighted how the staff’s career-long commitment has shaped the very culture of the organisation.
“Our long-serving colleagues embody the values that define Wicklow County Council,” Ms O’Gorman stated. “Their commitment has shaped our culture, strengthened our organisation, and enabled us to deliver excellence for the people of Wicklow year after year. In a time where career paths are often fragmented, seeing such loyalty is truly inspiring.”
Historically, these awards have seen massive gatherings, such as in 2023 when 137 employees were honoured for a collective 4,000 years of service. The 2026 ceremony continued this trend of recognising the sheer variety of roles within the council. Whether it is a librarian who has guided generations of readers or a road worker who has maintained the county’s infrastructure through bitterly cold winters, the awards bridge the gap between different eras of public service.
Beyond the emotional recognition, the awards also align with Irish Revenue guidelines regarding long-service benefits. For employees reaching 20 years of service or more, the council often provides tangible tokens of appreciation, such as watches or artwork, which are non-taxable up to a value of €50 per year of service. These gifts serve as lasting reminders of a career spent in the service of the public good.
Wicklow County Council extended its heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all recipients for their years of service. Their legacy is seen in every library book lent, every road paved, every street cleaned, and every community project brought to fruition over the last fifty years.