SDLP stalwart honoured at party conference

SDLP stalwart honoured at party conference

29 March 2023

RETIRING Downpatrick councillor Dermot Curran was given a standing ovation at the SDLP’s party conference at the weekend.

Cllr Curran — who is standing down after half a century of public service — was presented with the Dan McAreavey Trophy by his leader, Colum Eastwood, at the annual conference in Derry.

The prestigious award is presented to the SDLP member who makes a significant contribution, with Cllr Curran the overwhelming choice.

Cllr Curran is Northern Ireland’s longest serving councillor and has represented the Downpatrick area since 1973, but he will not contest the local government elections in May after confirming that he is stepping away from the council on medical advice, marking the end of an era.

Elected to the former Down Council 50 years ago after the rationalisation of local government, Cllr Curran is hugely respected and admired right across the political spectrum.

He has given a lifetime of distinguished public service during which he successfully contested 12 council elections and served two terms as the district’s first citizen.

In addition, he has also been president of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association, the umbrella body for the province’s district councils, on two occasions.

He has held high positions on a number of bodies and was a champion of the Co Down fishing industry and is currently working to secure investment to upgrade the harbour in his beloved home village of Ardglass.

Presenting the trophy, Mr Eastwood said the party was delighted to have the opportunity to recognise the huge contribution Cllr Curran has made, not just to the SDLP, but also to his local community over the past 50 years.

“Dermot represented our party throughout some extremely dark days in the history of this place, but his values and his views never wavered and he has been a constant for almost as long as the SDLP has been in existence,” the party leader continued.

“Dermot Curran’s political career, like the man himself, has been remarkable. His longevity in politics is a testament to his determination to work on behalf of his local community and during that time he racked up a long list of achievements that would be the envy of many politicians.   

“Dermot is SDLP to his very core and has made an outstanding contribution to our party over the years. He has always espoused SDLP values, being particularly known for his willingness to work with other parties and on a cross-community basis in the best interests of people in Downpatrick and Down.”

Mr Eastwood said Cllr Curran should be “incredibly proud” of all that he has achieved throughout his career.

He added: “It is rare that somebody comes along with such a sincere dedication to public service and given the changing nature of our political landscape we may never see his like again.

“I hope Dermot enjoys his retirement with wife Karen and the family and he will always have a special place within the SDLP.”  

Cllr Curran said he felt humbled at the award and the praise from not only his party leader, but his SDLP colleagues.

He also addressed the conference and explained that he was asked to stand for election in 1973 by former South Down MP Eddie McGrady and was “humbled but delighted” to have been presented with the Dan McAreavey trophy.

“It is indeed an honour to be recognised in this way by my party and my colleagues which means a lot to me,” he said.

During his political career, Cllr Curran championed the need for jobs and investment in Downpatrick and the wider district and continually campaigned for road improvements and measures to tackle town centre traffic congestion.

He was also a visionary and during his first term as Down Council chairman, recognised the value of working with councils across Ireland to develop relationships and encourage co-operative projects.

In addition, he also spearheaded the Dermot Curran young achievers’ awards which helped spawn many new businesses which are continuing across the district, providing jobs and boosting the local economy.

During his 50 years of public service he has witnessed many changes, diligently working for people, representing all communities and working with all political parties.

He is also highly regarded by his council colleagues, many of whom took to social media at the weekend to praise him after learning about the award bestowed on the SDLP man by his party.

And while Cllr Curran won’t be on the ballot paper for the May election, he insists that between now and then it will be business as usual and he will continue to work hard for people in Downpatrick and wider Lecale and continue his role with the town’s regeneration working group

He added: “It was the late Eddie McGrady who got me involved in politics and encouraged me to throw my hat in the ring for the 1973 election and I was successful in securing a seat.

“I am proud to have represented local people for 50 years and am so grateful for the continued support I have received from across the community. 

“It was support that was never taken for granted but was always greatly appreciated. I was proud to help people in any way I could and to make the district a better place for all,” he added, thanking his wife Karen and family for their support throughout his political career.

Cllr Curran won a Local Government Awards Best Initiative in 2009 and has also received the National Association of Councillors Long Service Award.

Among his many other responsibilities, he has held positions in the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, the South Eastern Health Local Commissioning Group, Down Rural Area Partnership, Peace IV Partnership, Partnership Panel for NI, ARC21, National Association of Councillors, FLAG Fisheries Fund and the Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme.

He has also been a member of the Eastern Group Environmental Health since it was established and was its chairman in 1987 and 2010.