Joseph J. Costello

Joseph J. Costello (1892 – 21 April 1960) was the longest serving Mayor of Galway.

Galway Urban Council was abolished in 1937 and the Mayoralty reintroduced with the election of Joseph J. Costello on 9 December 1937. The last Mayor, Edmond Blake, held office until 1841 when the position was dissolved.

Costello would become not only the first of the new town Mayors; his is to date the longest serving, his term of office lasting from 1937 to 29 September 1950. During his term of office he granted the Freedom of Galway to Douglas Hyde and Éamon de Valera, set up the 'Mayor's Fuel Fund' to help provide fuel for needy families through the winter. He oversaw the return of the body of William Butler Yeats to Galway on its way to reburial in Sligo, in 1949.

He was a native of the town, by profession a chemist and first entered public life when elected to the Galway Urban Council in 1924. He was married and had three children. He is buried in New Cemetery, Bohermore.

Sources
  • Henry, William (2002). Role of Honour: The Mayors of Galway City 1485-2001. Galway: Galway City Council. OCLC 51023721 ASIN B003NECRYW
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    Civic offices
    Preceded by
    Office re-created    		 Mayor of Galway
    1937–1950    		 Succeeded by
    Michael O'Flaherty


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