Kay Dawson
I was born in Galbally, into a farming background. My family still farm the land where I grew up and I feel a great affinity to rural Ireland because of this connection.
I moved to Dublin to study paediatric nursing in Temple Street Hospital, married Owen and we have two young adults, Colm and Katie. Moving to Mitchelstown and beginning a young family as a stay-at-home mother, the community has played a big part in my life. With Owen travelling a lot with work, involvement with the Parent’s Council gave me a connection to my new home.
I went on to represent Cork East on the National Executive of the Primary Parents’ Council. Today, I still continue my involvement & interest in education matters, through Partners in Learning which has helped educate and develop the village of Mbula in Uganda, and the strong links between Mitchelstown and Mbula have enhanced both communities. I also sit on the Board of Management at C.B.S. Primary Mitchelstown.
Through my position on the Board of Ballyhoura Rural Services Ltd, I’m acutely aware of the issues facing rural communities and the need to maintain sustainable rural communities, tackling rural isolation. I see the work of a Councillor as being an extension of this, giving small communities a voice and a role at Council Level. Ensuring investment in infrastructure and services throughout our county will put us in the right position to benefit from further job creation and development by businesses into the future.
In 2008 I helped found the Youth Cafe in Mitchelstown; I’m actively involved as a volunteer leader in this hugely successful project. We cater for over 150 young people each weekend, giving them a safe, peer-oriented place to socialise, develop their skills and a sense of belonging. I’m proud of the difference we are making in these young peoples’ lives.
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Contact Details
Mitchelstown
Co. Cork.