Cubbard rides storm of ‘annus horribilis’

Bradley Bytes – a sort of political column by Dara Bradley

In the grander scheme of things right now, the mayoral chain pales into insignificance. But even Mayor Mike Cubbard’s fiercest political foes feel sympathy for the ‘annus horribilis’ he has endured as First Citizen.

Again, there are more important things in life, but for councillors, becoming mayor of your home city is the pinnacle of a career in local politics.

It was a proud day for the Westside Independent when he took over the mayoral chain, surrounded by family, at City Hall last June.

Being mayor in 2020 was a prize coveted by all 18 councillors because Galway would be European Capital of Culture and, being blunt, it was supposed to involve quite a bit of overseas travel to promote the city, as well as high-profile appearances at Galway 2020 events locally.

But Mayor Mike’s term has gone a bit pear-shaped because of Covid-19. His China trip earlier this year was cut short due to the virus spreading rapidly in that country, and since he’s come home, there have been cancellations all round.

The opening of Galway 2020 in February was halted by bad weather and now its programme has been practically wiped out by virus lockdown.

Trips to Seattle and New York for official St Patrick’s Day mayoral duties were cancelled because of coronavirus. St Patrick’s Day parades are a highlight of any mayoral term but the 2020 edition was cancelled and unlike 2001 – when Foot and Mouth led to the event being cancelled – it won’t be re-staged within his period in office. Mayor Mike is possibly the first mayor not to preside over a Paddy’s Day parade.

Nearly every other event has been cancelled too, from small-time ribbon-cutting photo ops to bigger stuff like the annual Mayoral Ball for charity, and the Mayor’s Awards project.

Basically, he’s the first mayor to finish in March! Assuming he doesn’t do a Leo on it, and just stay in office indefinitely, Cllr Noel Larkin is due to take the chain in June, and will benefit from Mayor Mike’s misfortune – a Galway Film Fleadh showing in Los Angeles Cubbard was invited to attend has been pushed out to August.

“He better get me a stick of rock from LA when he goes!” said Mayor Mike.

Beer fly bytes

It’s the question that has puzzled all our thirsty ‘beer fly’ readers ever since the city’s pubs closed their doors around a fortnight ago: What happened to all the beloved beer in the half-used kegs, and indeed the full kegs, in each hostelry?
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