Larry retires as CEO of South Dublin County Partnership

LARRY O’Neill spent his final day as CEO of the South Dublin County Partnership at a showcase in Fettercairn last Friday, before commencing his well-deserved retirement.

The showcase featured 45 stalls displaying the work of the partnership and attracted over 250 businesses, and also included a speech commending Larry for his work over the years.

Larry, 69, joined the partnership as an enterprise employment officer in 2005 and rose through the ranks before being appointed CEO in 2014.

He oversaw the organisation’s response to the pandemic, when they assisted older residents in the county and manned a helpline, and has spearheaded its initiatives for migrants.

When asked what his proudest achievements as CEO were, Larry told The Echo: “I think the Connect 4 project in West Tallaght where we have youth workers on the street helping young people at risk.

“I’m also very proud of the leaflets we’re putting out to 55,000 houses this week where we split fact from fiction about migrants.”

He also reflected on the South Dublin County Partnership’s role during the pandemic and how it made him decide to carry on as CEO several years after he could have retired at age 66.

“On a personal basis, it didn’t feel like the right time and the board were looking for me to stay on and they needed stability,” explained Larry.

“If you look at the last four years, the country went through turmoil.

“We had the pandemic, where we ran a helpline and the staff in the partnership really stepped up to the plate.

“We helped food banks, we handled food parcels and did deliveries, we had a helpline, and our staff rang up old folks in the area to help them with shopping and collecting prescriptions – it was hugely impactful.”

And the variety of the partnership’s work was on full display at the showcase in the Fettercairn Community Centre last week, and it marked Larry’s last engagement as CEO.

He’s now looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Margaret, being more involved in his community in west Wicklow, and hillwalking.

Simon Monds has now taken over the reins as CEO of the South Dublin County Partnership, and he has Larry’s backing.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Simon’s work going forward,” he said. “I have every confidence in him, and there is a very youthful team there with great energy and great commitment to social inclusion.”