John Mulholland

Who is John Mulholland?

John Mulholland was the Mayor of Galway from 1986–1987 and again from 1996–1997.

Mulholland was born in Dublin, the eldest of six children of Ned Mulholland of Kinnegad and Betty O'Donoghue of Ballingary, County Tipperary. The family moved to Galway in 1948. In 1968 he married Margaret Flynn of Letterfrack, and moved to London where he worked in a betting office and as a fingerprint officer at Scotland Yard. He returned to Galway to take charge of the family's betting shop. He and Margaret have children Alan, Lisa, Eddie and Aoife Mulholland. Mulholland expanded the business, and by the early 21st century owned ten betting shops.

Influenced by Garret FitzGerald, Mulholland stood for Fine Gael and was elected with a large majority for the city's South Ward in 1985, becoming Mayor the following year. Highlights included welcoming home the Galway Minor's team, who were All-Ireland Champions, and included his eldest child, Alan. On 10 October 1986 he officially opened the city's first purpose built City Hall.