I am, I suppose, one of the more fortunate journalists who was granted a personal interview with the fourth lady Lord Mayor of Dublin City.

This prestigious office is the pinnacle of Civic esteem in Dublin Corporation. Dublin Corporation was founded and established in February 1230 under the Lord Mayor Richard Molton and has been a male bastion for almost eight centuries.

There have been four female incumbents of the office and all in the twentieth century.

Nevertheless, Councillor Mary Freehill has not wavered in her attitude to protocol and political correctness and told me that she never contemplated for one moment trying to change the title of the Office to that of Lady Mayor.

An atmosphere of excitement prevails in the Mansion House in the run up to the New Year with all the festival atmosphere that is expected.

This Lord Mayor will not be left with a moment of personal time from the instant she pushes the switch to light up the eleven bridges spanning the river Liffey, through the opening of the new bridge and the boardwalk, and attending the planned fireworks display.

Having started her career in Human Resources with an industry on the Pigeonhouse Road, Mary Freehill is extremely well-known in our area, as she lived in Penrose St. for many years. As a Labour Party councillor, she now represents the Rathmines Ward.

Mary Freehill is one of the most natural and unassuming dignitaries one might happen to talk with, but nevertheless is acutely aware of the dignity of the office of Lord Mayor. Her ambition and dedication in this significant year is one of duty and responsibility.

Her concerns range over a very wide area, from old age pensioners and their problems to refugees and the problems of their acceptance by our city.

She says also that she would like to see more street markets so that Dubliners who are in the business of high quality crafts and arts would have a place to display their, finished products.
Her own interests emerge in conversation while she points out paintings in the reception rooms on loan from the National Gallery, names such as Swanzy and Lavery trip off her tongue.

Dublin City is twinned with Liverpool, Barcelona and San Jose in California and she feels that further twinning with other cities might help to make Dubliners more cosmopolitan in outlook.
Always a feminist and a fighter for feminist causes, she holds the leader of the opposition democratic party in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, in the highest regard. The freedom of Dublin City will be given to her in an open air ceremony in the new year. Sadly Aung San Suu Kyi will be unable to attend as she is still under house arrest in Burma.

Rock legends U2 will also receive the same honour at that presentation for their outstanding contribution on a world stage to rock music, as well as hightlighting many issues of social conscience. They will perform live at that event.

Mary Freehill has a hectic schedule as our city enters the new millennium. On behalf of the citizens of our area, we wish her well.