Adam Wyse elected as new Metro Mayor
Metropolitan Mayor, Cllr. Adam Wyse pictured with his family, his mother Michelle, sister Natasha, brother Jason and his partner Sinead O'Sullivan, his partner Megan Taheny and her mother Maria Taheny. Photo by Noel Browne.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Adam Wyse was elected Mayor of the Waterford Metropolitan District last Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Mayor Cllr Wyse succeeded Councillor Joe Kelly (Independent) in the role following a meeting at City Hall, The Mall.
Reigning Mayor of Waterford City and County Council Jason Murphy put forward the nomination for Cllr Wyse and in doing so said: "Adam Wyse came on this council meeting in the autumn of 2013, in very challenging and difficult circumstances after the untimely passing of his father and good friend of mine, Councillor Gary Wyse."
He praised Cllr Wyse for his work in the Council and in his community, as well as his dedication to family.
Cllr Wyse was elected by 11 votes to 6, defeating Sinn Féin’s Cllr Joeanne Bailey.
The new mayor thanked his colleagues, friends and family for their love and support throughout his years at Council. He shared a story about his first nerve-wracking day on the local authority, sitting next to Sinn Féin Councillor John Hearne: "I couldn't understand what was going on in the meeting because he spent two hours trying to convince me to join Sinn Féin."
Cllr Wyse shared words of condolences to Cllr Hearne on the recent passing of his father Frank.
Cllr Wyse noted that while the power of Councillors may have been chipped away, they still have a powerful role in helping their communities.
He said: "For me, Council is where local elected reps actually achieve a lot of our real local community work when it comes to helping residents, when it comes to housing estates for groups and organisations."
He thanked the people of Waterford City East for their faith and support in him as a public representative.
Before the nomination, Cllr Kelly thanked his colleagues, friends, family and wife Frances, for all their support and guidance throughout the last 12 months. He noted the important role that Frances played in his role. He said: "That goes beyond more than just turning up at events, it's to do with dress code and I'm not a bit embarrassed to say that she would have a far better taste in clothes than I do!"
He said :"I think the role of Mayor is hugely important. I think the people of Waterford recognises the role of Mayor. I know when I turn up at events, it's seen as something different or special."
Earlier on in the day, Cllr Kelly took part in the traditional 'throwing of the darts' ritual whereby the Mayor fires a ceremonial dart into the estuary where the three rivers meet, claiming the waters for the city of Waterford.
Cllr Kelly said: "We have civic events for community groups, sport groups, mayoral receptions for all types of people who are fully deserving of those and need them.
"For instance, was the throwing of the darts, which is hundreds and hundreds of years old today, where we claim the waters of the three rivers."
Many Councillors praised Cllr Kelly for his work over the past year.
Councillor Seamus Ryan commended him for his fairness and insight into the Council, saying: "That's important for us as Councillors when we're trying to make our case to the Executive on their decision so I want to thank you."
Councillor Declan Barry referred to him as 'a fantastic ambassador' for Waterford.
Before moving on to the Mayoral nominations, Cllr Kelly said: "I'm only here as a Councillor, as are all of us, because of the people who voted for us in the first place. I just want put it on record my gratitude to anybody who decided to vote for me in the last election.
"Without all of us here and the people supporting us there wouldn't be anyone sitting here in this room nor would there be anyone in the chair of the Mayor. We all appreciate the people that put their trust in us, and we all do our best to repay that trust."
