Former TD Michael Ring to be presented with Mayo Person of the Year award

Retired Mayo TD Michael Ring will be presented with the 2025 Mayo Person of the Year award at a gala dinner in The Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin, on Saturday, 15 February.

The award, which is presented by the Mayo Association Dublin annually, recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to life in Mayo. Past winners include President of Ireland Mary Robinson, Iar Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Ireland West Airport founder Mgr James Horan and legendary journalist John Healy.

Mr Ring spent 45 years in public life before announcing his retirement from politics in 2024. Elected to Westport Urban District Council at the age of 25, the Westport native was elected to Mayo County Council in 1985 and eventually to Dáil Éireann in a 1994 by-election. At one point, he served as a town councillor, county councillor and TD at the same time before the abolition of the dual mandate, which meant he could no longer serve as a county councillor. 

He was an opposition TD from 1994 to 2011 before being appointed Minister for Tourism and Sport in the Department of Transport. His first term as a minister saw him open the Wild Atlantic Way, a tourism initiative which has attracted thousands of new visitors to the west coast of Ireland. His term also coincided with The Gathering, a tourism initiative which drew 275,000 people to Ireland, generating €170 million in revenue.

In 2017, he was appointed to the new Department of Rural and Community Development, where he remained until 2020. 

In their citation, the Mayo Association Dublin described him as ‘a hard-working and astute public representative’.

“His work ethic was legendary and he excelled in grassroots politics, going well beyond the call of duty on numerous occasions to assist members of the public, whether it was with medical cards, third-level grants, fuel allowances, etc.

“The Westport man’s determination to do his best for ordinary people was informed by his own upbringing as a member of a large family at a time in Ireland when there were few of the luxuries that exist today. His first job was a bread van driver and he later established his own auctioneering business, which was very successful before he closed it to focus fully on his political career.”

In the November election, Westport-based Fine Gael candidate Keira Keogh won the Dáil seat held by Mr Ring for 30 years.