Councillor Helen Ogbu was elected as Mayor of the City of Galway at the Galway City Council AGM in City Hall on Friday 19 June 2026, becoming the 72nd person to hold the honour of the First Citizen of Galway City.
Councillor Josie Forde was elected Deputy Mayor.
The AGM is the third in the five-year term of the council, following local elections in 2024.
Speaking on her election, Cllr Helen Ogbu said; “Today is indeed a historic day.
I have the privilege of becoming the first person of migrant background to serve as Mayor of Galway City.
While I recognise the significance of that moment, I do not view it as a solely personal achievement, but rather as a reflection of Galway, the city that I now call my home…. My mayoralty will focus on three themes that are deeply personal to me and critical to Galway's future: Belonging, Young People, and Community.”
Councillor Helen Ogbu succeeds Cllr Mike Cubbard as the Mayor, with Cllr Josie Forde succeeding Cllr Alan Cheevers as Deputy Mayor.
Previous Mayors of the City of Galway include current Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly, former Uachtarán, Michael D. Higgins, and Minister of State, Hildegarde Naughton TD.