Francis Foley
Mayor Francis Foley is a native of Abbeyfeale in the west of the county of Limerick. He has been a community activist for most of his life, advocating for residents and businesses in the County Limerick town.
His professional background in retail has meant his finger has always been on the pulse of what local people needed. This experience lead him into the area of local politics and he joined the Fianna Fáil party.
Mayor Foley first ran for a seat on Limerick County Council (local government) in 2004 and was elected at the first time of asking. He has been re-elected in all subsequent local elections to Limerick County Council and latterly Limerick City and County Council. Elections take place every five years.
The position of Mayor of Limerick is one of the oldest in the country. Indeed Limerick received its charter ten years before that of London, England.
Mayor Foley is the latest person to be honoured with the title of Mayor. The lineage dates back to 1197 when Adam Sarvant was inaugurated as the first ever Mayor.
Mayor Foley sits on the board of University of Limerick Governing Authority, member of the Limerick Market Trustees, and member of the Board of St John’s Hospital, Limerick.
He also sits on the Community, Leisure & Culture Strategic Policy Committee and Travel & Transportation Strategic Policy Committee of Limerick City and County Council.
Mayor Foley is married to Helen and they have two sons Kevin and Jason.