Leonard Cleary Appointed As Chief Executive Of Galway City Council
A North Clare native has been appointed Chief Executive of Galway City Council.
Leonard Cleary, who currently holds the role of Director of Tourism Development in Clare County Council, has been approved by the elected members of Galway City Council as the successor to Brendan McGrath, who held the role from 2013 until his retirement last year.
A native of Corofin, Leonard Cleary has over 26 years of experience in local government, having held several senior leadership roles in Clare County Council, including in Housing, Tourism, Human Resources, and Community and Rural Development.
He also was Ennis Town Clerk in Ennis Town Council with a significant interest in urban economic regeneration.
During his tenure in Clare County Council, it became the first local authority in the country to produce a Rural Development Strategy supported by a full Directorate
He also oversaw the development of a Digital Hub network across Clare, and more recently, oversaw the transfer of the Shannon Heritage portfolio of visitor attractions from the Shannon Airport Group to Clare County Council.
In a statement to Clare FM, Cleary says he’s been “privileged to work with elected members and colleagues in his home county for almost 27 years and to have been involved in many exciting projects and services led by Clare County Council”.
The Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Eddie Hoare has wished Leonard Cleary every success in his new role, which he will take up in May.
