THE curtain has came down on our Chief Executive Lilian Seenoi Barr’s year as Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council.
At a ceremony in the Guildhall on June 2, Mrs Barr handed over the chain of office to her council colleague, Sinn Féin’s Ruairí McHugh.
It has been an extremely busy year packed with engagements, laughs but also challenges. In her departure speech though, our chief executive chose to focus on the positives, the highlights and on her many achievements in support of her chosen charity Bud Club.
“As my year as your Mayor draws to a close, I seat here tonight with a full heart – full of gratitude, full of reflection and full of pride in the people and places that make up this remarkable district.
“It has been the honour of a lifetime to serve as your First Citizen, a journey that has changed me, shaped me and connected me even more deeply with the soul of this place I proudly call home.
“From day one, I pledged to be a mayor for everyone – approachable, present and focused on building a city and district where every voice matters.
“And as I reflect on this extraordinary year, I hope I’ve lived up to that promise. Because this year wasn’t just about holding office. It was about breaking new ground.
“As the North’s first Black Mayor, A Maasai woman and a Derry Girl, I knew that simply being in this role was powerful.
“But I also knew I needed to lead with purpose, humility, and determination. Not to make history – but to make change.
“And while I’m proud that this year was a celebration of diversity and inclusion, it was also a year of courage, of choosing dignity and unity in the face of adversity.
One of the most significant was the signing of the Derry~Strabane City Deal a transformational moment that confirmed what we’ve always known: that this district is ready to lead, to innovate and to thrive.
“The City Deal will bring investment, jobs, and opportunities – but even more than that, it brings belief. Belief in us.
“More recently I was proud to host a series of fundraising events for my chosen charity, BUD Club, as part of our ‘One Big Weekend, One Big Cause’ over the May Bank Holiday.
“From the roar of the supercar event to the rhythm and joy of ‘Derry Rocks for BUD Club’, to the colour and energy of my ‘Feel the Beat’ Afro-inspired music celebration, every moment was driven by purpose and community.
“And in my final week, I was delighted to round it all off with a fantastic Mayor’s Ball, celebrating not just the year gone by, but the spirit of the people who made it possible.
“From early in my term, I made it a priority to reach out to fellow mayors across the North to promote diversity and inclusion in civic life.
“I was honoured to welcome the mayors of Belfast, Newry, Mourne and Down and Lisburn and Castlereagh to Derry for a powerful and honest conversation about how we can better include all minority communities.
“That same commitment took me to County Clare, where I represented our city and district while raising awareness around racial inequality, migration, women’s health, and housing, issues that know no borders and affect us all.
“In September, I was privileged to welcome former Taoiseach Simon Harris on his first official visit to Derry.
“We toured the Guildhall and engaged in meaningful discussions around regional growth priorities and cross-border collaboration, further cementing Derry-Strabane’s central role in Ireland’s shared future.
“I also had the honour of welcoming the Lord Mayor of the City of London to Derry, a visit that was more than symbolic. It marked the continuation of cross-city collaboration. It showed that our city and district belong firmly on the global stage, ready to contribute, to lead and to grow.
“The relationships we built during that visit will continue to strengthen and I believe they will open new doors for our people in the years ahead.
“But perhaps the greatest joy of this year came from one thing: People. Meeting you. Hearing your stories. Walking with you, sometimes literally, through every corner of this district.
“Whether it was celebrating with you at Halloween, the Jazz Festival or St Patrick’s Day, cheering on athletes at the Waterside and Strabane-Lifford Half Marathon, standing with you in times of difficulty or sitting with you over tea and stories at a community hall, you inspired me every step of the way.
“Our young people were especially at the heart of my journey as mayor. The launch of our inclusive youth hub ‘Our Guildhall, Our Place’ gave young voices a platform, a space and a sense of belonging and showed my commitment to welcoming young people from across our community to feel connected to their community.
“And who could forget the Inclusive Birthday Party at Foyle Arena? Live music, cake, dancing, all tailored to children and young people with additional needs. It was pure joy and proof that inclusion works when we work together. While the community Christmas party at the Guildhall was an event of celebration and love where people who made a real difference to their community were formally acknowledged.
“But none of these moments happened by chance. They happened because of people who showed up.
“And tonight, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to In your space, Ritchie Remo, Black Buddy, Tyree Patton and Micky Doherty – you showed up every time. You brought music, heart and soul to every event. You lit up rooms and you lifted spirits. You are what community looks like.
“I also want to thank the sponsors who made these initiatives possible. Not only did you help us deliver meaningful events and save ratepayers’ money, but you proved that business and civic responsibility can go hand in hand.
“To the Western Health and Social Care Trust, Translink, The Honourable Irish Society, Challenge Curves, The Catholic Diocese of Derry, The Housing Executive, Garvan O’Doherty, Arbutus Catering and the City Hotel, a huge thank you.
“Your generosity, partnership and belief in our young people made all the difference. You didn’t just support events. You backed a vision of a kinder, fairer, more inclusive district.
“One of the most difficult—but most vital—parts of this role has been speaking out against violence against women and girls.
“Through campaigns like 16 Days of Activism, the Reclaim the Night march and our public forum at the Guildhall, we sent a clear message: Our district will be a zero-tolerance zone for violence and discrimination.
“That work is just beginning and I remain committed to seeing it through.
“On the world stage, I was deeply honoured to lead a trade and investment mission to the US, promoting Derry and Strabane as a hub of innovation, creativity and opportunity.
“To then be recognised by Worcester State University, alongside Cllr Niamh Kennedy, for our work in education and cross-border collaboration, was truly humbling.
“Last September, I was deeply honoured and privileged to be invited to participate in and address the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, an experience that was both humbling and profoundly meaningful.
“That moment of connection and shared purpose led to a truly special recognition: Just a few weeks ago, I was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Howard University, in the very heart of Washington.
“This honour was not just a personal milestone, it was a recognition of the values we hold dear: Inclusion, justice and meaningful social change.
“And I accepted it on behalf of all those in our city and district who work every day to build a fairer, more compassionate society.
“Just last week I had the pleasure of attending the Equality Commission’s first ever board meeting held outside of Belfast since their formation.
“Following my engagement with them and my invitation to host a meeting in Derry – they not only accepted but actually held their board meeting here in Derry.
“What’s even more significant is that this will now become a permanent feature of their annual board meetings, with future meetings rotating between Derry and Belfast.
“This is something I’m incredibly proud of. Regional balance isn’t just about economics it’s also about where our government institutions are physically present, especially those tasked with holding government to account.
“Their presence on the ground allows for more meaningful engagement with communities and a deeper understanding of the inequality gaps that exist.
“One of the most personal highlights of the year was welcoming a delegation from my homeland of Kenya, led by my brother Senator Ledama Olekina and the Deputy Head of Mission Edwin Afande.
“Their visit was a powerful symbol of unity, shared struggle and shared hope. It reminded me how deeply connected we are across borders and how our city continues to inspire far beyond our shores.
“It also confirmed that indeed I am a Maasai woman, Kenyan and a Derry girl.
“And yet, not all moments were easy. Throughout my year as mayor, I faced unprecedented levels of online abuse, much of it racially motivated and much of it deeply personal.
“There was relentless harassment, waves of misinformation and deliberately misleading narratives aimed not only at undermining the work I was doing, but at questioning my very right to do it.
“There were those who tried to distort my actions, discredit my leadership, and diminish my voice, not because of what I stood for, but because of who I am.
“But I want to say this clearly: I refused to be defined by hate. I refused to be distracted by those whose only goal was division. Because I knew the work, I was doing mattered. And more importantly—you knew it too.
“In the face of those attacks, I chose to stay focused, to stay present and to stay true to my purpose: Building a more inclusive, compassionate, and forward-looking district.
“And every time it felt heavy, the people of Derry and Strabane lifted me up. I chose to lean into the strength of this community, the kind messages, the shows of support, the thousands of quiet acts of solidarity that reminded me that love is louder. And hope is stronger.
“It wasn’t always easy but it was always worth it. Because you made it worth it. That’s why I showed up and I kept going.
“I want to say a very special thank you to the Deputy Mayor Alderman Darren Guy for his resounding support throughout the year and for helping me ensure as many of the mayoral engagements were represented. Thank you so much.
“I also want to acknowledge the incredible team around me. Karen, Alex, Wendy – my rock stars. Ben and Mal, who kept the wheels turning.
“To all the staff at the Guildhall and across Council, under the leadership of John Kelpie, thank you for your hard work, your professionalism and your belief in this work.
“To my fellow councillors, particularly those who checked in (you know yourselves), thank you for your collaboration and commitment.
“And most of all, to my husband Paul and my son Brian, your love, patience and strength held me up through everything. I share this moment with you. And you now have me back.
“As I prepare to pass the chain of office to Cllr McHugh, I do so with my head held high. Because this year wasn’t just about me, it was about us. And together, we’ve shown what’s possible when leadership is rooted in community, courage, and compassion.
“I believe in this city and district. I believe in its future. And I will continue to play my part in building it.
“Thank you for the trust you placed in me. Thank you for the love. And thank you for making this the greatest honour of my life. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.”