Diverse slate of new Mayo candidates emerging ahead of local elections
by Caoimhín Rowland
MAYO welcomes the local elections on June 7, 2024.
Many newcomers have already announced their candidacy and intentions.
With a little over six months remaining until the ballot, these next few months will help us establish the lay of the land ahead of the crucial vote.
Here's a summary of some of the new faces in each of the six electoral areas.
BALLINA
Ballina sees three new candidates put their hat in the ring, both hailing from the north of the constituency in Killala. There are six seats up for grabs in the area. John O'Hara (FG) headed the poll in 2019 with 2,123, just ahead of Mark Duffy (Ind.) on 2,095.
Una Morris (Sinn Féin): A native of Dublin and now a proud resident of Cooneal. She currently works in Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh’s office in Ballina, showcasing a strong connection to the local community.
Dave Alexander (Fianna Fáil): Based in Killala and serving as the chair of 'In Humbert's Footsteps,' Alexander brings a deep understanding of the local landscape.
Hugh Rouse (Fine Gael): Ballina businessman is no stranger to Mayo Council Council's corridors of power as he serves as a member of one of the authority's stragegic policy committees.
Early analysis: With three candidates set to run in Killala alone, the race is heating up, leaving outgoing Fine Gael Councillor Jarlath Munnelly facing considerable pressure. He was elected in 2019 by the skin of his teeth. The town of the Round Tower will be a fascinating political playground in the months ahead.
BELMULLET
Three seats are to be won in the area which covers the Erris peninsula, Mulranny and Achill. Gerry Colye (FG) headed the poll five years ago with 1,806 with Paul McNamara (FF) in second spot on 1,695.
Rosaleen Lally (Sinn Féin): A native of Erris, she is very involved in community organisations, including the Irish Wheelchair Association, Erris Family and Community Support and Erris United.
Pat Chambers (Fine Gael). His selection was confirmed at the weekend. Pat's long and active service to the west Mayo farming community will prove an advantage. He is based in Tiernaur, where former councillor Michale Holmes served for a number of years.
Early analysis: Sinn Féin is on course to win back their seat, with Fianna Fáil likely to lose out.
CASTLEBAR
Mayo’s largest municipal district, Castlebar possesses seven seats up for grabs, only two newcomers have declared their intentions to run so far. Michael Kilcoyne (Independent) headed the poll in 2019 with a commanding 2,592 despite dropping 329 first preferences.
Donna Hyland (Sinn Féin): A Balla native, Donna Hyland is a nurse by profession, embodying a commitment to healthcare and community well-being. Demonstrating early initiative, she has been a consistent presence at events and has already commenced an active campaign.
Notably, she has shared the airwaves with Aiden Crowley on CRCfm and visited Chris MacManus in Brussels this summer, showcasing a dedication to local and international engagement.
With a solid foundation, early momentum and her party riding high in the polls, Hyland is anticipated to make a strong impact in 2024.
Aidan Browne (Social Democrats): Adding a touch of the arts to the political spectrum, Aidan Browne, a film and TV producer, enters the race as the Social Democrats' debut candidate in Mayo.
Known for his work on projects such as 'Wild Mountain Thyme' and the upcoming film 'Prospect House,' filmed in Enniscoe House, Browne brings a creative perspective to the political arena.
Hailing from Lahardane and actively involved in the local GP retention movement, Browne's nomination for the Social Democrats will be decided at the upcoming convention at the end of the month.
Early analysis: Sinn Féin to take a seat at the expenses of Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.
CLAREMORRIS
Due to the retirement of John Cribbin (FG), the town of Ballyhaunis is very much in focus.
Four Fine Gael councillors were elected last time out, Patsy O'Brien having since departed to the independent ranks since the last election when he got the biggest vote in the county of 2,955.
Alma Gallagher (Fine Gael): She will replace long-serving councillor John Cribbin on the ticket.
She has a strong focus on social enterprise, rural development, and fuel poverty.
She recently challenged the party leader, Leo Varadkar, on reasons why Ballyhaunis has been left behind in terms of infrastructure and development despite being used as a paragon of integration.
Stephen Nolan (Fianna Fáil): It's been a while since Ballyhaunis elected a town-based Fianna Fail councillor, so the pressure is on the local organisation to deliver.
A popular publican and former funeral director, Nolan has his finger on the pulse of the community and he has former Mayo GAA star Keith Higgins backing him.
Early analysis: Fine Gael hold the edge in keeping the seat being vacated by Councillor Cribbin, but only slightly.
SWINFORD
A four-seat electoral area, the big recent political development in the Swinford area has been Michael Smyth (FF) resigning from his council seat and being replaced by Adrian Forkan.
Matters have been relatively calm since, with Sinn Fein slow to select a running-mate for Councillor Gerry Murray, who is also expected to run for the party in the next general election as part of a two-candidate strategy.
Murray headed the Swinford poll with 1,896 in 2019 when there was just one party candidate on the ticket, but it would be a surpise if SF did not add a second one this time out.
Antoinette Peyton (Fine Gael): She succeeds Tom Lavin as the Swinford-based FG candidate as the party in the town seeks to regain the seat held by Joe Mellette for many years.
Early analysis: There will be a certain level of pressure on Forkan to hold onto the seat won by Smyth with 1,631 first preferences.
WESTPORT
Destined to be a hotly contested affair for four seats, outgoing Independent Councillor Christy Hyland having topped the poll in 2019 with 1,442 after leaving Fine Gael.
Keira Keogh (Fine Gael): A familiar face in the community, Keira Keogh is strongly supported by the influential Michael Ring, TD.
Hailing from the family behind The Helm, Keira's roots run deep in Westport. Her first press release highlights key issues such as affordable housing, improved playgrounds, and tackling grievances amongst the farming community.
Karen Gallagher (Sinn Féin): Residing in Westport for over two decades, Karen Gallagher is originally from Moorehall. Juggling a full-time role at AbbVie pharmaceutical company and raising five children with her husband Dave, Karen is deeply involved in Westport Camogie and Westport LGFA.
Peter Nolan (Green Party): Alongside his wife Grace, Peter manages a 23-acre organic farm situated between Old Head National Forest and Clew Bay's Special Areas of Conservation. Advocating for better public infrastructure in Mayo, Nolan's ties to the local landscape and his dedication to sustainability mark him as a candidate focused on the long-term health of the region.
John Loftus (Aontú): His selection was announced by the party in recent days and the Newport man will be focusing on key party policies, including justice and the economy.
Early analysis: An upset is unlikely.
(If you intend to run in the local elections in 2024 and your name doesn't appear above, please contact caoimhin.rowland@con-telegraph.ie to get in touch).