Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive with Tipperary County Council, is to retire following the expiry of his current contract at the end of May 2024.
Mr MacGrath was appointed as the first Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council in 2014 following the merger of the former North and South Tipperary County Councils. He previously held the positions of dual County Manager for both councils from 2013 to 2014. Mr MacGrath served as County Manager, North Tipperary County Council from 2010 to 2013; City Manager, Galway City Council from 2005 to 2010, and also served in local authorities in Kerry, Limerick and Wicklow.
Mr MacGrath, from Nenagh was also deeply involved in the County and City Management Association and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and serves as a director and board member of Tipperary Tourism.
Mr MacGrath says that it has been a privilege to serve in a number of councils but has been a particular honour to hold the position in his native county. The Public Appointments Service will select a new CEO for Tipperary in due course with their recommendation subject to the approval of the 40 elected councillors. At present Ms Sinead Carr holds the post of Deputy CEO in addition to being the Director services for Housing.County Limerick is to become the first Council in Ireland to directly elect a Mayor this June and the reform will see the abolition of the post of CEO in Limerick City and County Council. In addition, the elected mayor will have powers never before conferred on their predecessors, including executive functions in strategic development, housing and building, roads, transport, and the environment. The change in Limerick was approved by a public vote in 2019 and the necessary legislation was finally passed by the Oireachtas this year.
