ABOUT ME
Hello and thanks for taking the time to visit my website.
​I'm originally from the townland of Carrigaphooca, just west of Macroom town which is where I live now.
I grew up on a farm, so agriculture was all around me from a very young age. I took a
great interest in it all, and I learned a lot from my family and neighbours. We lived our
lives in keeping with the changing seasons – making hay when the sun shone, bedding the animals in to keep them snug and warm on cold winter nights.
I think farming is a great education for anyone. You learn so much around the kitchen table. We learned how to mind the animals and the crops, how to take on responsibility, how to make a good bargain, how to be a kind neighbour.
The values I learned at home in Carrigaphooca have stayed with me throughout my life. In my 20’s, I was fortunate enough to get a job in the Department of Agriculture here in County Cork. I have spent many happy years working in various roles within the Department.
In 2007, I got the opportunity to become a member of Cork County Council as a result of a rule change for Dáil Deputies. My cousin (also Michael Creed) could no longer be both a Councillor and a TD, so I was co-opted onto the Council in his place.
This led me to a whole new realm of work, one I really enjoy. It gives me the chance to
do more of what I like - helping people. That’s what I do every day. It’s the common
thread running through all the work I have done.
This year, I’m Mayor of Macroom. They don’t call it that anymore - it’s called ‘Cathaoirleach of Macroom-Millstreet Municipal District’, but the County Councillor elected to that role wears the mayoral chain of office and presides over ceremonies and events in the district. I am enjoying meeting people from all walks of life and recognising effort and achievement on behalf of the community of Mid Cork.
Over the years since I first set foot in the chamber of Cork County Council, I have been a local election candidate three times. Every time my name was on a ballot paper, I was elected on the first count, and I topped the poll twice. I earned that support with hard work. I want to continue helping people, delivering improvements to their lives, to their communities and to our county.
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People tell me they vote for me because I listen to their concerns and I am honest in the way I respond to them. I don’t pretend something is possible if it’s not, but I do
everything in my power to help people navigate the system in a way that gives them the best chance of getting the outcome they want.
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My work over 17 years as a Councillor has given me a good understanding of the way our civil and public services work, and I have good relationships with the people who deliver these services.
I want to continue Fine Gael’s track record of making good things happen for this area at national level.
For example, we have the Macroom Bypass, and it’s making a huge difference to everyone. But we urgently need funding to upgrade the road between Macroom and Ovens. There are other gaps to be filled too.
I see the difference it makes when a community has better facilities.
I know how important it is for people to have their own homes.
I want to help people access better healthcare.
I support farmers because I recognise the important work they do.
Priorities
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To get funding to upgrade the N22 between Macroom and Ovens, and to acquire additional funding for local roads throughout the Macroom and Millstreet areas.
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A flood relief scheme for Ballymakeera and a sewage treatment plant for Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh.
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I want to make it easier for people living in rural areas to get planning permission to build their own homes.
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More funding to upgrade facilities in Macroom town for the new post-Bypass era.
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I want to help more community groups to apply for funding so that our area will continue to thrive into the future.
