Mattie McGrath Honours Women, Staff and Late Deputy
Mattie McGrath spoke offering tributes to women in his life and colleagues, thanking his predominantly female office team and praising the late Farmer Deputy Dr. Carrie Etterson. He expressed appreciation for family, staff and women’s public service, highlighting their hard work and role-model status.
Tributes to family
Mattie McGrath began by sending his best wishes to his wife Margaret, his five daughters, six granddaughters, three sisters, daughters-in-law and sister-in-law, describing the day as very important and acknowledging the influence of strong female role models in his life.
Thanks to staff and colleagues
He thanked the mainly female office team by name, mentioning Geraldine, Triona, Cathy (out in Midtown), Tenancy, Eve, Vivian, Joanne, Maureen and Councillor Maureen, and noted Caroline who was standing in. McGrath said he could not function in his job without their support.
Recognition of working women and role models
He drew a parallel with Deputy Tray’s mother, describing her as a powerful, hardworking woman who raised nine children on a family farm and instilled strong values. He framed such women as important role models who give up much to support family and community life.
Salute to the late Dr. Carrie Etterson
McGrath paid tribute to the late Farmer Deputy, Dr. Carrie Etterson, from Clarmel, describing her as a powerful woman who served as "vice of the ploughing," "vice of the Clarmel show" and who worked in many organisations. He said she was a fabulous politician and worker, recalled her time in the house alongside her sister Senator Trashorn, and expected votes of sympathy to be taken.
Closing remarks
He closed by reiterating his respect for all women who work hard to make families and communities better places and sent particular praise to his wife Margaret and the many women who support his work.
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Gourmaha, Goethe, and Cahilach, and Cahilachis, I wanted to compliment you, and indeed the Lethkan Cullohood, the chair, and all the ladies, the members of this house and elsewhere that I'm friendly with. I'd like to firstly say that I want to wish my wife, Margaret, and five daughters, six granddaughters, and indeed three wonderful sisters, daughters-in-law and sister-in-law, all the very, very best on this very important day. And also to my office team, who I couldn't manage without, mainly females as well, Geraldine and Triona, Cathy, who's out in Midtown, Tenancy and Eve, and indeed Vivian, and Joanne, and Maureen, and of course Councillor Maureen, and indeed others that helped me as well, including Caroline, who was standing in. So I could not function in my job here as a top-to-dollar without those wonderful people and support. And like Deputy Tray, I had a powerful mother, got powerful, worked very hard, raised nine children on a family farm, and same as his mother, wonderful role models, and instilled such values into our children, and worked so hard, and wouldn't be doubt herself to look after us. I also would like to salute the late great Farmer Deputy, Dr. Carrie Etterson, who died recently, from Clarmel. She was the vice of the ploughing, she was the vice of the Clarmel show, she was the vice of many men, for many, many people, who was a powerful woman in her time, and did so much work as a public club's internet, but also as a woman in all those organisations. As I said, the local ploughing in Tipperary as well, and so many other organisations. I couldn't want a day here, and we will be having, I suppose, votes of sympathy for her here, but a fabulous politician and a fabulous worker here, when she was in this house with her sister, Senator Trashorn, at the time. But all the women that work so hard, and give up their life to make families and everybody's a better place, go to Margaret.
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