Despite the advanced age, it doesn’t hinder politicians like Joe Biden, the U.S president at 81, from holding high political office. This also extends to participants in the local elections scheduled for Friday, featuring debut contenders whose ages span from 18 to 89.
Margaretta D’Arcy, at the verge of her 90th birthday a week after the election, is a first-time local election participant and her campaign runs under the slogan “Mad, Bad and Dangerous”. After years of political activism, D’Arcy felt a strong compulsion to throw her name into the hat of the 2024 local elections. She will be contesting as an Independent for Galway City Council.
Her candidacy is endorsed by Sentient Rights Ireland, an organisation that champions the causes of human rights, animal rights, and eco-conservation.
Not new to contentious campaigns, D’Arcy found her roots in activism as a member of the Greenham Common campaign that protested the introduction of cruise missiles into Europe, and the Committee of 100, a pacifist British group. She was instrumental in the Shell to Sea campaign in Mayo and had also protested the U.S military’s use of Shannon Airport in 2014. Her conviction for unlawful intrusion onto an airport runway led to a suspended three-month sentence. Her refusal to guarantee adherence to the law and to avoid unregulated airport zones led to her serving 9½ weeks in Limerick Prison and the Dóchas Centre at Mountjoy Prison.
This explains her prime campaign focus on advocating neutrality and ending what she calls “Ireland’s active role in abetting the US war effort”. Increasing safety and accessibility on Galway’s streets, and strengthening local democracy feature heavily on her other concerns.
With her advanced age and as a woman, D’Arcy affirms that she brings a wealth of experience that equips her to address these issues.
In local politics, D’Arcy views local governance as the cornerstone of communal life. From her promotional activities on the streets and pedestrian areas of Galway, she reveals an overwhelmingly positive reaction. The public relishes the chance to engage in conversations with their local political candidates, and D’Arcy strives to inspire creative thinking among councillors to improve performance.
Toni Devine is being introduced to local electoral politics as she joins the race. At the age of 78, Devine is Sinn Féin’s most senior candidate, which she suggests has been a stimulating and enjoyable endeavour. She comments on the surprise reaction to her age when announcing her campaign and appreciates the respect and kindness she’s been receiving since.
With ambitions to represent the Carndonagh region on the Inishowen peninsula in Donegal, she points to a strong desire to encourage more female participation as a substantial motivator for her run. Asserting that she’s held feminist beliefs throughout her life, she emphasises a personal connection to politics. She voiced a call to arms for more female participation in the next election cycle.
Donegal’s county council is served by a single woman representative, independent Niamh Kennedy. Kennedy is mounting a campaign for re-election after the exit of two previous female council members who are not seeking re-election.
In Donegal, Sinn Féin’s electoral roster includes seven women which align with their push towards achieving equal gender representation in government, a move which Devine, as a feminist, applauds. Devine insists it’s necessary to have diverse female voices in politics, irrespective of age or background.
In her canvassing, Devine takes a light-hearted approach, revealing her preference for campaigning on level terrains as opposed to uphill ones.
Residing in a region heavily impacted by defective concrete in residential premises, Devine reports that the issue remains a primary concern among voters, describing the situation as a national embarrassment. The problem transcends financial implications, adversely impacting people’s lives causing health issues.
She recently recited An Old Woman of the Roads by Padraic Colum, a poignant poetry piece from her academic years encapsulating the human dimension and distress experienced by those harmed by the defective concrete crisis. The Sinn Féin promise to entirely compensate homeowners affected by defective concrete holds significant importance to Devine.
With a background rooted in civil rights and activism, Devine has spent her life committed to causes she believes in. From her early involvement in Northern Ireland’s civil rights movement in the 1960s, to her contributions to the Northern Irish Women’s Aid Federation and the inception of Derry Well Women, her dedication to societal wellbeing is clear. Her work-life has spanned teaching, lecturing and social work during her time in England. “My life experiences shape my political views,” she says.
Meanwhile, Leslie O’Hora had initially decided to step away from politics after his unsuccessful electoral campaign in 2019. However, his presence at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference in Ballina changed his mind. A scientist there painted a grim picture of climate change’s peak impact if urgent changes weren’t made. Reflecting on his eight grandchildren’s future prompted O’Hora to recommit to making a difference in any possible way.
At the age of 71, O’Hora has decided to contest again in the Carrick-on-Shannon constituency. Tracing his activism roots back to his teenage years, he fundraised for Unicef when he was 14, participated in civil rights marches in the 1960s, and more recently was a significant part of the anti-fracking movement in Leitrim. His alliance with the Green Party was influenced by their ground-up policy approach.
Having knocked on over 2,000 doors in Carrick on Shannon last week, he quips about the benefits of having a reliable osteopath to keep him going. On his campaign trail, he hears recurring concerns about health services and infrastructure. In response, he hopes to enhance Local Link transports, increase facilities for youths, and upgrade health services.
Apart from traditional canvassing, O’Hora utilises social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X to boost his campaign. He was dissuaded from using TikTok by other candidates due to his lack of dancing skills.
Aside from fresh faces in politics, there’s Mary Hilda Cavanagh – the longest-serving councillor in Kilkenny and Ireland’s most enduring female councillor. At 73, she doesn’t plan to hang up her political boots just yet.
Having served as a local councillor in the Castlecomer electoral district for half a century, Cavanagh first won her seat in 1974 and, remarkably, has been consistently re-elected in every subsequent local election. As a student at the University of College Dublin, she became a member of the Fine Gael party and received economic instruction from Garret FitzGerald. Despite initially believing that multiple runs were necessary for successful election, she was amazed to procure her position on her first try.
According to Cavanagh, her early political career was without monetary compensation and largely unpaid. She related that the workload at the time was a mere fraction of her current responsibilities. In addition to her political duties, Cavanagh’s career includes a stint as a secondary school educator, where her subjects included history, economics, a dash of French and some maths.
Since her first days in office, Cavanagh has witnessed the constituency’s population and borders expand. Building a personal rapport with constituents is pivotal, she insists, emphasising their ability to reach out when in need. During her recent canvassing efforts, she found affordability in housing to be a recurrent concern. Complementary issues that local residents frequently bring up include aspects of planning, complexities for farmers, lengthy health service waiting lists and immigration policies.
Looking back over her political journey, the councillor candidly admits that it was particularly tough balancing the demands of work and raising her four children. In the absence of widespread telecommunication during her early years in office, constituents would often visit her home for a direct discussion over tea. Even after five decades, her commitment to her role remains as strong as ever, deriving satisfaction from working alongside and for the people.
To those considering a first-time candidacy, Cavanagh’s advice is simple; embody honesty, commitment, truthfulness and fairness.