For the first time in 60 years the Howlin family name won’t feature on the Labour ticket on polling day.
Cllr Ted Howlin’s retirement after 22 years in public life may mark the end of a chapter in one of the town’s most well known political dynasties, but the proud family man reveals that he is ready to swop the Council Chamber for the playground as he is looking forward to having more time to spend with the newest member of the family, his 18 month old grandson Ed.
“It’s been a great pleasure and an absolute honour to serve on both the Corporation and the County Council, but there comes a time in politics when it’s time to go…and mine is now,” explained the Rocklands based political veteran.
He is of course ending on a high note as this year he was elected Chairman of Wexford County Council.
Politics is in his blood, he claims. “I grew up in a political house.”
He recalls his childhood at Upper William Street. His father John was a member of Wexford Corporation for 18 years and also served as County Secretary of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union, which is now called SIPTU.
John Howlin was also election agent to Brendan Corish from 1945 onwards, when his own father the iconic Richard Corish died while in the office of mayor.
For the full story see this week’s Wexford Echo.