In the 2024 local elections, 29 potential candidates are vying for the opportunity to represent their constituents across 18 posts within Sligo County Council’s three local electoral areas. Edel McSharry, a member of the illustrious McSharry political family, is trying her luck in politics for the first time as a representative for Sligo-Drumcliff, a role she has previously seen her cousin Marc MacSharry enjoy. Cousin Tom MacSharry is also involved, anticipated to successfully maintain his incumbency in the Sligo-Strandhill area.
A fellow newcomer Fergal Nealon, the son of late Minister of State and political commentator Ted Nealon, has announced his candidacy for Fine Gael in the Sligo-Strandhill division. His party, Fine Gael, managed to double its representation to six seats in the last election, placing them ahead of Fianna Fáil who reduced their count to five. Sinn Féin and People Before Profit’s Gino O’Boyle remained constant, holding their two respective seats. There were also four independent candidates returned, including the impressive Declan Bree, one of the longest-serving councillors in the state.
According to the candidates, the predominant concerns of the electorate centre around housing, due to the extensive waiting list of 16,000 applicants for council homes, and the considerable lack of properties available for rent or sale. With immigration being a significant talking point, particularly in pockets where refugees have been resettled. Road safety, regional investment and the potential reopening of the Galway-Sligo rail line are other crucial matters.
Of significant note is the underrepresentation of women among the incumbent councillors, only three of whom are female. Furthermore, two of these women are not contesting the next election. The well-respected Rosaleen O’Grady, a Fianna Fáil member, is stepping away after a quarter-century in politics. Sinead Maguire, a representative of Fine Gael, is also departing from local politics after ten years. Fianna Fáil’s Martin Baker will be relinquishing his role, after spending two decades in service.
When broken down, the region’s 18 seats are as follows: Ballymote – Tubbercurry holds 7 seats, Sligo – Drumcliff – 5 seats, and Sligo – Strandhill – 6 seats. The 2024 elections are not only for local representation, there are also the European Election, the Dublin election, the MNW election, the Ireland South election, and others. An important time in Irish politics indeed.
These are the names of various areas in Ireland:
– The city of Galway and its surrounding county
– Counties of Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow
In addition, you can look up the results of the 2019 County Council elections in Sligo.