Wicklow Local Elections 2024 candidates: get the latest running news

Wicklow County Council is split into Arklow Municipal District (six seats), Baltinglass Municipal District (six seats), Bray Municipal District (eight seats), Greystones Municipal District (six seats) and Wicklow Municipal District (six seats).

For the purposes of elections, there are six Local Electoral Areas. These correspond with the Municipal Districts, apart from in Bray, where the council is split into Bray East (four seats) and Bray West (four seats).

At the 2019 elections Fine Gael increased their seat numbers by one to emerge with nine seats, while Fianna Fáil retained seven seats overall. However, four Fine Gael Councillors, Derek Mitchell, Shay Cullen, Irene Winters and Vincent Blake won’t be running again this year. Independent Bray councillor Rory O’Connor has also stepped down.

Currently there are 16 independent candidates in the running for this year's local elections. Fine Gael and Sinn Féin both have 11 candidates, while 10 will run for Fianna Fáil, five for the Social Democrats, three for new party Independent Ireland, the Green Party and Labour and 1 for Aontú.

Last updated on May 3 – Two new candidates have declared for Bray

Arklow Electoral Area

There are presently 11 candidates set to run for six seats in this area on Wicklow County Council, this includes the six incumbents.

Viktoria Bodley

Independent (new candidate)

Originally from Moscow, Viktoria made Ireland her home at 19 and achieved her CELT (International Language Qualification). She now speaks seven languages, has taught English as a foreign language at Dorset Collège Dublin, and coordinates the Italian language programme at BIFE (Bray Institute of Further Education).

She has taken an active role in many community groups in Arklow, including several bridge clubs, the Templerainey church choir, Conradh na Gaeilge (opening branch in Arklow) and Woodenbridge Golf Club.

In 2006, she graduated from Griffith College Dublin (Bachelor of Arts), having already obtained a Specialist Degree in International Oil and Gas business (First Honors) from the State University of Management in Moscow.

Viktoria has said that a cultural centre, safety and accessibility upgrades, and increased access to public amenities are among her top priorities if elected

Sheila Busher

Sinn Féin (new candidate)

Sheila is a native of Arklow, where she married and raised four children. A veteran community activist, she has spent 15 years fighting for families and the marginalised in her community.

She studied Community Youth Work in UCC and Maynooth and is currently involved with the Drugs Task Force and Arklow Positive Ageing Committee.

She says she is committed to serving the people of Arklow, Aughrim, Rathdrum and beyond, and wants to see the development of her community, through investment in jobs, housing, and local services. She said it’s clear there is a need to provide young people with the hope that they can have a future in the area.

Laurie Kearon

Fine Gael (new candidate)

Happily married to Stephen Kearon, Laurie Kearon is a mother of five children - Eleanor, James, Daniel, Saoirse and Oisin – and takes joy in her role as a grandmother to Sean, Arlo, and Dante.

Living in Ballinaclash for over 24 years, she has actively contributed to public service, having served as a civil servant at Wicklow County Council for nearly two years, following a successful 20-year tenure as an Examiner of Maps in the Property Registration Authority of Ireland.

Beyond her professional achievements, Laurie likes to explore different cultures, and various cuisines and also enjoys motorsports, especially off-roading and vintage cars.

David O’Gorman

Independent Ireland (new candidate)

A family man with a strong business background and a passion for community development, David O’Gorman asserts that he is deeply committed to fostering positive change, addressing pressing issues and bringing a “fresh perspective and effective leadership” to the Arklow Municipal District chambers.

His decision to run in the local elections stems from his belief that change is necessary for the betterment of the community. As Mr O’Gorman put it, “things need to change”.

In addition to his professional background, Mr O'Gorman has held roles on the board of management of educational institutions such as Glenart College, Avondale Community College, Greystones Community College, and Bray Institute of Further Education. He has also been involved in several sports clubs and local organisations.

Warren O’Toole

Sinn Féin (new candidate)

Warren is a native of Arklow and the parent of a son with Down Syndrome and Autism, so he has advocated for people with disabilities for over two decades.

He is passionate about the outdoors and has a vision for substantial growth in nature friendly recreation.

He believes the Arklow community is in need of a strong voice and that south Wicklow has suffered years of government neglect and indifference. He believes the area needs investment in jobs, housing, and infrastructure, and that it needs a plan committed to providing a future for young people.

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Cllr Tommy Annesley

Fianna Fáil (running)

Cathaoirleach of Arklow Municipal District, Cllr Annesley was a greengrocer at 50 Main Street Arklow for 27 years before he was first elected to Arklow Town Council in 2009, then to Wicklow County Council in 2014 and again in 2019.

A father to son T.J. and daughter Orla, Cllr Annesley met his partner Joy in 2018.

He is a huge supporter of Arklow Boxing Club, as a past member for many years, and an avid cyclist with a vested interest in promoting children’s development in sport, music and community groups across the Arklow Municipal District.

His community involvement extends to Arklow Tidy Towns, Arklow RNLI fundraising, the St Patrick’s Day Festival, the Seabreeze Festival, the Christmas Festival and more.

Cllr Sylvester Bourke

Fine Gael (running)

Councillor Bourke was first elected to office as a public representative in 1999 and has subsequently returned to office at every election since.

A father to three children and devoted husband to his wife Elizabeth, Cllr Bourke is a farmer by profession – keeping 2000 hens and growing cereal, maize and beans – and was heavily involved with the IFA.

He supports Arklow United Soccer Club, Arklow Rocks Camogie Club as well as the AGB GAA club.

Cllr Pat Fitzgerald

Fianna Fáil (running)

Councillor Fitzgerald has been serving the Arklow Municipal District since his first election in 1999, having worked in Irish Fertilizers Ltd for years.

Father to five children and grandfather to 11, Pat has been involved in local GAA for decades, featuring for Arklow Geraldines in his youth and winning a haul of medals, despite considering himself “not that good”.

Driven by his love for the Arklow community, Pat’s decision to run again this year is fuelled by his desire to help people solve their problems, whatever they may be.

Cllr Pat Kennedy

Fianna Fáil (running)

A father to three boys and husband to Helena, Councillor Kennedy was involved in the timber industry for years before being elected to Wicklow County Council in 2014 and again in 2019.

He has a vested interest in all aspects of rural life, from farming to GAA and hill walking, and is a passionate supporter of improving all aspects of community and family life and the environment they live in.

Cllr Peir Leonard

Independent (running)

Arklow native Peir Leonard was elected in the Arklow Municipal District in 2019, having announced herself as a candidate just weeks before the election.

A mother to Tai, Rowan and Karston with her finger on her hometown’s cultural and artistic pulse, prior to her election, Cllr Leonard had worked as an architectural assistant and ran her own pottery and porcelaine business.

She is dedicated to developing Arklow as a maritime economic hotspot, ensuring the ‘sustainble’ growth of the town and local commerce, and maximising tourism by utilising the towns rich natural and built heritage as part of a local creative sector at the heart of its regeneration.

Cllr Miriam Murphy

Independent (running)

Councillor Murphy was first elected to the Arklow District in 2009 and has served her community faithfully ever since. Entering the world of local politics out of a desire to improve conditions for those with disabilities, her work on behalf of the community has extended to all aspects of society.

From a family of equine enthusiasts, Cllr Murphy and her husband Paul are great lovers of sport, with hurling holding a special place.

Baltinglass Electoral Area

There are presently 10 candidates set to run for six seats in this area on Wicklow County Council. Half of these candidates are not sitting councillors.

Kieran Burke

Fianna Fáil (new candidate)

Kieran is from Baltinglass where he was born and raised and currently lives with his wife and family. He was a teacher at St Kevin’s Community College in Dunlavin for 16 years, where he was vice-principal, before taking on the position of principal at Blessington Community College in 2013.

The rising anxiety amongst students in the modern era is one issue Kieran would like to highlight. He is also concerned about the current housing crisis and the lack of leisure and cultural facilities in west Wicklow.

Connor Byrne

Sinn Féin (new candidate)

Hailing from Kilbride, Connor is a graduate of TUD and has achieved a degree in Business and IT. He is the youngest of two party candidates in Baltinglass and is running in local elections for the first time.

He was announced as a candidate on January 11 and said that homeownership for his generation and "quality local services" for families are his core focus area.

Aidan Kinsella

Sinn Féin (new candidate)

Based in Carnew and a former Colaiste Bhride student, Aidan missed out on election to Wicklow County Council in 2014 and 2019, but has been a long-standing campaigner for south-west Wicklow.

Notably, his campaign for a playground for Carnew secured funding of €125,000 for a state-of-the-art facility which was opened by Minister Simon Harris in February 2018. He also helped end the flooding woes of residents on Rockypool Crescent and was part of the campaign to save Donard post office.

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, when announcing his selection on January 11 said he "brings huge passion, experience and commitment".

Deirdre McCormack

Social Democrats (new candidate)

Deirdre McCormack lives in Blessington and spearheads the campaign seeking a community pool for west Wicklow, which was established in 2018. During that time she has encountered so many community groups, sports clubs, schools and communities in need of better facilities in west Wicklow.

Through her work as a community activist she has highlighted numerous local issues and helped to find solutions for the community. She believes that west Wicklow needs a strong voice representing it to ensure that the community receives the investment and infrastructure that is required in local towns and villages.

Peter Stapleton

Fine Gael (new candidate)

Tinahely resident Peter has strong ties to the area that go back to the early 1900s through Duffy’s of Hacketstown, a business founded by his great-grandfather. His educational journey includes a first-class degree in Business and Law from UCD, after which he trained as a chartered accountant.

Like much of Ireland’s youth today, Peter spent time abroad, in London, where his work focused on investments in the renewable energy, healthcare and education industries. Peter returned to Ireland to manage his family’s, Wicklow-based, interior landscaping business.

Cllr Avril Cronin

Fine Gael (running)

Driven by her desire to be a passionate voice for west Wicklow, Cllr Cronin became the first female elected to the Baltinglass District in 2019.

Born and raised in Dunlavin, her family were heavily involved in Wicklow GAA, a tradition she has carried on at her local club, where she is acting Healthy Clubs officer.

She has worked in many different roles in National Government, from Parliamentary Assistant to Ministerial Advisor in two Government Departments. Counting the improvement of services and infrastructure for west Wicklow and access for the community to funding and services among her goals, to unwind from politics, Cllr Cronin loves spending time with family and friends, enjoying west Wicklow’s natural beauty.

Cllr Patsy Glennon

Fianna Fáil (running)

A former Garda Inspector in Baltinglass and Garda Contingent Commander in Kosovo from 2010 to 2011, Cllr Glennon retired from An Garda Siochana in 2018 and, later that year, was called to the Bar of Ireland. He was elected to Wicklow County Council in 2019.

Currently working as a barrister, he is a father to nine children, two of whom are deceased.

An avid hillwalker and a keen follower of local GAA, Cllr Glennon became involved in local politics out of a desire to help develop his local community in the Blessington area – in particular forgotten rural villages - an aspiration that has now grown to encompass all of west Wicklow.

Cllr John Mullen

Fianna Fáil (running)

Councillor Mullen is currently serving his first term as an elected representative of the Baltinglass Municipal District, having worked as a community activist and in politics as an assistant to Pat Casey when he was a TD.

Husband to Deirdre and father to Daithí, Cllr Mullen is the Secretary at his local Tinahely GAA Club and an avid hillwalker, who is a great advocate for Wicklow tourism and the promotion and marketing of the Garden County’s natural beauty.

Cllr Gerry O’Neill

Independent (running)

Councillor O’Neill is from Blessington and was first elected to Wicklow County Council as a Sinn Féin representative in 2014. A party dispute saw him run successfully as an Independent in the 2019 elections.

Gerry was a founding member of the Blessington and District Forum and is Chairman of the Crooksling Hospital Action Group and a coach of Blessington Boxing Club. The lack of housing in west Wicklow is one of the main issues he wants addressed, as well as the implementation of the long overdue local area plan for Blessington.

Cllr Edward Timmins

Fine Gael (running)

A chartered accountant and engineering graduate from Baltinglass, Councillor Timmins is an experienced local representative with a proven track record in delivering significant funding.

As Council Chairman, he changed the budget model to ensure more resources for community organisations, delivering an extra €200,000 in funding annually.

He made 48 of the total number of 120 submissions to the current County Development Plan, including zoning council land for a sports centre, and he spearheaded €3.5 million in funding from the Rural Regeneration Fund and secured funding for new fire stations in Baltinglass and Dunlavin.

His priorities include affordable homes, improved infrastructure, proper public transport, broadband, small business, tourism, accountability, fast-tracking a secondary school in Blessington, and lobbying for services to combat rural isolation.

He is married with one daughter and lives in Grangecon.

Bray East and Bray West Electoral Area

There are presently 17 candidates running for eight seats on Wicklow County Council in this area. Those elected will form the Bray Municipal District council, with four seats available for Bray East and four for Bray West. Currently there are nine Bray East candidates, and eight for Bray West.

Aaron McAllorum – Bray East

Social Democrats (new candidate)

Aaron McAllorum is the parliamentary assistant to the former co-leader and co-founder of the Social Democrats, Catherine Murphy TD, and has been working with the party and Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore since its very early stages.

Aaron has almost 20 years of experience on the civil and political side of public service in Dail Eireann. A former civil servant, Aaron moved to the political side where he now advises on and augments the work of Deputy Murphy in parliament and on the Public Accounts Committee, the public spending watchdog which scrutinise the audited State accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Denise Cahill – Bray East

Sinn Féin (new candidate)

Denise Cahill has lived and worked in Bray throughout her adult life and currently works in family support and community development.

She wants to see a transparent local authority which is future-proofed for the next generation, ensuring continuous progress and the implementation of new ideas. She said that in her community development roles, she has embraced the motto 'nothing about us, without us.'

She will be campaigning for more community projects and activities for young people; the development of education facilities; social and affordable housing; a full-time homeless service in the Bray area; and improvements to communities suffering from deprivation and disadvantage through consultation with residents.

Rob Carry – Bray West

Independent (new candidate)

Rob Carry, who established the Jai Sua Muay Thai in 2014, is originally from Ballybrack in Co Dublin, but decided to run in the Bray West Local Electoral Area due to his strong connections with the town through his martial arts club.

The club recently established an initiative which provides completely free access to counselling sessions to all of its students through Bray-based service Mynd. The unique mental health project was in honour of one of its most esteemed members, Eoin Lawlor, who took his own life on New Year’s Day this year.

Aside from improving access to mental health services for young people, Rob feels more needs to be done in support of the people of Bray, with GPs, schools, housing and infrastructure failing to keep up with the demands of a spiralling population.

Rob fought at professional level in Thailand and has a degree in History and Politics from UCD. He and his club are well-known for their fundraising and charity work.

Lee Donnelly – Bray East

Independent (new candidate)

Lee Donnelly, a dedicated advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and affordable housing, has a commitment to inclusivity and social justice and said they bring a fresh perspective to the political landscape of Bray.

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Lee said they understand the importance of diverse representation in government and aims to be a strong voice for all residents of Bray East.

Lee's platform prioritises addressing the housing crisis that has affected so many in the community. With a focus on housing for all, Lee believes they are dedicated to implementing solutions that ensure every individual and family has access to safe, affordable housing.

Fergal FitzGerald Doyle – Bray East

Fianna Fáil (new candidate)

Fergal and his Polish wife, Karolina, have been living in the area for several years and he said they are very proud to call Bray their home. Before moving to Bray, Fergal worked as a secondary school teacher for five years and thereafter qualified as a barrister and has been practicing law for over 25 years.

From a young age, he has worked with and raised funds for numerous charitable organisations, including St Vincent de Paul, NCBI, Sight Savers International, the Red Cross, Meals on Wheels and the Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC).

He believes there are many issues that will benefit from his legal expertise, in particular the need to open the Cliff Walk in Bray, opposition to the proposed closure of the Bray N11 exit, housing provision and the need to progress the development of the 55 acres of designated sports lands in Old Fassaroe.

He also believes that the commercial interests of Bray have been neglected in the last few years and there should be a new voice for business.

Colm Flood – Bray West

Independent (new candidate)

Colm Flood is a dedicated advocate for community welfare, inclusion and volunteering, who has experience in volunteering and grassroots activism, and has pledged to speak up for LGBTQIA+ people.

He has volunteered from a young age, working in ambulance care, pre-hospital event cover, teaching, and caregiving. He's been involved with initiatives like ISPCC Childline and the Order of Malta and is now a student nurse. As a healthcare assistant, he says he has cared for those in the community “who need assistance and who are some of the most intelligent and kind people of Bray”.

He has also led protests against the cost of living in Dublin and supported campaigns against racism, such as United Against Racism.

Ciaran Hogan – Bray East

Aontú (new candidate)

Ciaran Hogan has a background in the private sector as an entrepreneur and business manager, as well as commercial airplane piloting. He is best-known as the owner of The Clockwork Door living room in Dublin, Ireland’s first ‘timehouse’; a pay per time social space and venue that he operates via his company Relativity Time Resorts Ltd. He is a married father of two girls and said he is running “for my girls' future”.

Ciaran said he is committed to addressing the problem of commercial and residential vacancy in Bray, and as a community activist, understands the importance of community-driven input and oversight.

Ciaran has volunteered with Bray Sea Scouts and Bray Tidy Towns and is a board member on his local residents association.

Keith Manning – Bray West

Independent (new candidate)

Keith Manning, co-founder of Gaelic Plant Hire, brings over three decades of business leadership and community service to his campaign. He is well-known throughout Wicklow for using his expertise and his business to help the community in social, celebratory and emergency situations.

He says his campaign is centred on a community-first approach, aiming to enhance the quality and accessibility of services and amenities for Bray West's growing population.

His aim is to strengthen local services and ensure their is strategic planning for the future of the area, with the goal of a vibrant community.

Ian Neary – Bray East

Independent Ireland (new candidate)

Ian Neary from Little Bray is a father-of-three and dedicated community advocate, who is committed to “improving the quality of life for residents” and has a “long track record of community involvement”.

Ian attended Bray School Project and St Brendan's/Woodbrook College before joining Visual Print as an embroidery machine operator in 2006, where he continues to work.

He is involved with the local football team St Peter's FC and is a committee member (PRO) for the Wicklow Football League. He was a member of the backroom team that helped the club win a historic quadruple in Wicklow in 2023.

Ian said his campaign will prioritise issues such as the lack of resources, funding, and amenities in Little Bray compared with neighbouring areas like Greystones. He is committed to advocating for increased investment in local infrastructure, the development of recreational facilities, and initiatives to enhance the overall quality of life for residents.

Dr Caroline Winstanley – Bray West

Social Democrats (new candidate)

Dr Caroline Winstanley is the Chairperson of the Wicklow branch of the Social Democrats and has lived in Bray for over 13 years with her husband and two children.

She is a speech and language therapist who works with autistic people and was last year awarded the Customer Experience Award for Public Healthcare for her outstanding work at the Central Remedial Clinic, which includes working with clients and advocating on their behalf in areas such as housing, healthcare and social inclusion.

She is also Community Representative on the Greystones Educate Together School Board and volunteers as a Child Protection Officer and an U13 football team manager for her children’s sports clubs.

Inclusion for those with disabilities, investment to increase capacity in local schools and sports clubs, and local housing provision are key areas she plans to work on.

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Cllr Joe Behan – Bray West

Independent (running)

Councillor Joe Behan has lived all his life in Bray and trained as a primary school teacher in Carysfort College of Education, Blackrock. Having graduated in 1979, he spent most of his professional teaching career in St Fergal’s Senior NS, Bray. He was school principal for a time in St Joseph’s NS, Tivoli Rd, Dun Laoghaire and also at St Fergal’s Senior NS, Bray. He worked as principal of the amalgamated St Fergal’s NS before retiring in November 2015 to devote himself fully to the role of public representative.

He is an Independent Member of Wicklow County Council and has served as a Public Representative since 1985. In that time, he has worked to represent many people in their dealings with local and national government and assisted local voluntary groups in their work in local communities.

Cllr Dermot O’Brien – Bray West

Sinn Féin (running)

Councillor O’Brien serves on the Drugs Task Force, St. Kilian’s Board of Management, the Local Community Development Ctte, the Joint Policing Ctte and Bray Head Special Amenity Ctte.

As a parent of two young boys Dermot is acutely aware of what it means to be raising children in a world that seems to be in turmoil at a global level and yet if you look close enough has so much potential to transition from a system that promotes an obsession with individualism and stuff to a society that shares a collective appreciation of our diversity as people.

Despite what he highlights as some negative experiences, Cllr Dermot ‘Daisy’ O’Brien believes that change is possible.

Cllr Melanie Corrigan – Bray West

Fine Gael (running)

Councillor Corrigan is an Enniskerry native, whose family have lived and farmed in the area for over 300 years. She is married to Liam and they have four children. Before being elected in 2019, she worked in partnership with her husband running their business in Bray for over 25 years.

She is actively involved in the community, working with many volunteer group and charities and with the schools and sports clubs. She has always had a keen interest in local politics and believes local councillors have the ability to make positive changes at a local level. Since getting elected she has worked hard in this role to support the people in the community and is putting herself forward again to make sure she is there to represent their best interests. She wants to work to maximise people’s opportunities, manage their challenges and support the entrepreneurial spirit that exists.

Cllr Erika Doyle – Bray East

Green Party (running)

Councillor Doyle was co-opted to replace Deputy Steven Mathews in 2020 as a representative for Bray East on Wicklow County Council, and was voted in as Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District in the summer of 2022.

Among her priorities for the area, Cllr Doyle lists improving the liveability of the Bray district, focusing on projects like the long-awaited skate park, the greenway from Kilmac to Bray, the neighbourhood scheme on the old par 3, and extending the cycle ways from both sides of our town. She is passionate about ensuring cycle lanes and public realm improvements that make Bray more inclusive and accessible to all are realised.

Cllr Anne Ferris – Bray East

Labour (running)

Councillor Ferris is a Board member of the Kildare-Wicklow Education & Training Board and serves on the Board of Management of Coláiste Ráithín. She was formally a director of the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce, Bray Tourism and the Mermaid Arts Centre and is active in various other organisations.

In 2011, Cllr Ferris was elected to Dáil Éireann and was appointed Vice-Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice & Equality. Anne graduated from UCD in 2020 with a BA in English and History. She has always wanted to be a voice for people who need help to improve their circumstances, whether that is in housing, health, education, or a fair deal.

Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy – Bray East

Fine Gael (running)

Councillor Flynn Kennedy was elected to Wicklow County Council in May 2019 and as as Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council for the year 2023-24. She lives in Bray with her husband Brian and three children.

She holds an Honours Degree in Social Policy, a Diploma in Local Government Studies, as well as qualifications in areas such as Addiction Studies, Mediation, Diversity & Equality, and Leadership & Management. She has also completed a UK Level 4 Qualification in Housing with the Chartered Institute of Housing and is a strong believer in ongoing education.

She has had a diverse career to date, currently working in the housing sector, specifically Age Friendly Social Housing; she previously worked in the disability sector for seven years. She has also worked in three local authorities in many areas such as housing, community, events, accessibility, equality, and disability.

Cllr Mick Ryan – Bray West

Sinn Féin (newly co-opted)

Councillor Ryan was co-opted on to Wicklow County Council on Monday, January 8, 2024 to fill the position left vacant by the departure of Grace McManus in October 2023.

He is a long-standing member of Sinn Féin and has an active involvement in the Trade Union movement via his role as vice-president of the Bray Trades Council. This gives him a deep understanding of labour issues, and he advocates strongly for equitable working conditions.

He reportedly has a passion for community activism and grassroots initiatives and is looking forward to expanding these via his new role on Wicklow County Council.

Greystones Electoral Area

​Presently there are 11 candidates running for six seats on Wicklow County Council in this area. Seven of these candidates are not sitting councillors.

Jack Commons

Fianna Fáil (new candidate)

Greystones native Jack Commons is a secondary school teacher, who has taught in schools in Kilcoole and Bray. His extended family have been an integral part of Greystones, Kilcoole and the surrounding areas for many years. As well as education, Jack has been involved in sports clubs like Éire Og, Greystones Rugby Club, Greystones United FC and local athletics clubs.

He lives in Delgany Wood and says he has “strong family roots”. As a young parent, he said he knows too well the challenges that people face in acquiring homes and securing childcare and school places.

Brian Fogarty

Sinn Féin (new candidate)

Brian Fogarty said being chosen as a candidate is a huge honour and one which comes with a great sense of responsibility to the local community.

Having successfully represented workers for many years his attention is now drawn to improving the local communities. His main objective is to listen to people, give them a voice and tackle local issues which affect people’s everyday lives.

Orla Finn

Independent (new candidate)

Orla has lived in Greystones for over 25 years with her husband and four children, and has dedicated herself to several committees and organisations. She is a board member of Wicklow Dementia Support, co-founder and chairperson of the North Wicklow Women's Shed and was a member of the team which delivered the inclusive South Beach playground in Greystones.

Orla has a background in public administration, where she was responsible for the co-ordination and implementation of projects in Central and Eastern Europe. She was also part of the team that first established CoderDojo in Greystones, acted as Programme Co-ordinator for a weekly group which supports people with dementia and as an assistant coach with Eire Og Greystones GAA Club. In support of local businesses, Orla has established the 'Up Off The Couch' and local 'Adopt a Shop' initiatives. If being elected, being a county councillor will be her full-time job.

Louise Fenelon Haskin

Fine Gael (new candidate)

Louise is a native of Greystones with strong connections from across the county and has worked in a wide range of local organisations and community groups, and has invested time into delivering positive change and reform for schools in the area.

Fine Gael Minister Simon Harris said she brings “experience, energy, local knowledge and a can-do attitude to the campaign” and that she has “a passion for our community and a strong track record of voluntary work and activism, business experience and community involvement”.

Esther Kelly

Sinn Féin (new candidate)

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady said the new party candidates for Greystones Municipal District, Esther Kelly and Brian Fogarty, were “formidable” runners who will be at the forefront of the party’s campaign to bring about change. Esther Kelly said it is an absolute privilege to be given the honour of going forward as one of the party’s two local election candidates in the Greystones electoral area.

She is passionate about the local community and will continue to work hard to make Kilcoole, Greystones and Newcastle a better place for all.

Aileen Lennon

Fine Gael (new candidate)

Aileen has worked with and supported locally-run charities in both homelessness and domestic violence. As a Scout Leader in Delgany since 1999 she has delivered many programmes that have benefitted the lives of young people and is committed to making communities stronger.

Fine Gael Minister Simon Harris said she brings “experience, energy, local knowledge and a can-do attitude to the campaign” and that she has “a passion for our community and a strong track record of voluntary work and activism, business experience and community involvement”.

Anne Waithira Burke

Labour Party (new candidate)

Anne has lived in Greystones for over 10 years with her two children. She has been actively involved in the local community, through being a board member of a local family support organisation and a member of the Parent Leadership Team in one of the town’s schools.

She has also organised many multicultural events in the Charlesland area and in Burnaby Park, and has volunteered with Connecting Kilcoole to organise the village Christmas lights and events for older people.

Anne has contributed to many national campaigns on anti-racism, women’s rights, combating and outlawing FGM. She has experience of working at local council level, having previously served as an intern with Councillor Joe Behan, and ran for office in the Greystones area in 2019.

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Cllr Mark Barry

Social Democrats (running)

With 19 years of residency in Charlesland along with his wife and two sons, Councillor Barry has been an active and committed member of the community.

He has demonstrated his dedication to community safety by launching the Charlesland Neighbourhood Watch, and contributing to a secure and vigilant local environment. Additionally, he has fostered social bonds through the creation of a local walking group, promoting a healthy and connected community.

Currently serving as the Vice Chairman of Eire Og Greystones, Cllr Barry is deeply involved in sports leadership. His commitment extends to coaching and managing both the camogie and senior hurling teams, showcasing his passion for local sports development.

Cllr Tom Fortune

Independent (running)

Councillor Fortune is a member of the county and district joint policing committee; and the economic and community development SPC. He is also a board member of Bray Area Partnership which also has responsibility for the Greystones district, chairman of KCDA ( Kilcoole Community Association.) and a member of the East coast Greenway group.

He has served as chairman of Wicklow County Council and Greystones town council and also chair of the district council. He served as chairman of Wicklow County Tourism for seven years. He was elected to local government in 2004 where he said he witnessed at first hand the problems that can affect communities, either through inadequate planning or poor infrastructure.

​Cllr Lourda Scott

Green Party (running)

Councillor Scott wants Wicklow to be an inclusive and sustainable community where people enjoy working and living. She stands for inclusiveness, equality and diversity and for a society that values everyone, regardless of their background, and where the wellbeing of a community is not just measured through economics.

She believes in a sustainable society where environmental impact is placed at the heart of policy decisions and where local needs are met with integrated housing, childcare and educational infrastructure. She also wishes to see affordable, energy efficient housing with more social housing built on public lands.

Cllr Stephen Stokes

Independent (running)

Councillor Stokes is a native of Greystones, having attended St Kevin’s NS and St David’s Secondary School. Heis also a graduate of UCD.

Over the years Cllr Stokes has been centrally involved in numerous local campaigns. These include the Charlesland Dog Park, the Founding Committee of Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, and outdoor chess tables at the Burnaby Park.

During his acceptance speech as Cathaoirleach, Cllr Stokes outlined his priorities including infrastructure, amenities and the environment. He is expected to campaign on these issues, along with public transport and school places. One recent success was the installation of the Charlesland Bottle Bank, which he had advocated for.

Wicklow Electoral Area

Currently there are 13 candidates running for six seats on Wicklow County Council in this area. Ten of these candidates are not sitting councillors.

Danny Alvey

Social Democrats (new candidate)

Danny is a native of Wicklow town, where his family have been involved with the community for generations. He now lives in Newtown with his young family.

Danny first got involved in politics in 2018 as an organiser with the campaign to repeal the eighth amendment. He joined the local Tidy Towns in 2020 and is now vice-chair. In 2021, he and his siblings founded the new environmental charity, ReWild Wicklow, which has grown exponentially to 1,400 volunteers. Danny’s priorities for Wicklow are nature restoration, climate resilience, improved public transport and walking and cycling links and more school places, sports and community facilities for young people.

Sonia Casey-Shortt

Fianna Fáil (new candidate)

Sonia is a HR Director for the HSE and is keen that both the District and Wicklow County Council have a strong voice representing local rural communities. She is also the wife of Fianna Fáil Senator Pat Casey and lives in the townland of Boleynass, located between Ashford and Roundwood. She went to national school in Newtownmountkennedy and secondary school at the Abbey Community College, Wicklow.

​Sonia has always had a keen interest in national politics and local government, having worked in the public health service for over 27 years. Her primary degree at University Limerick was in Public Administration.

Mia Fahey McCarthy

Green Party (new candidate)

Mia Fahey McCarthy is a long-time Wicklow resident who wants to ensure the improvement and enhancement of local amenities for all. She is a strong advocate for the continued improvements to the transport infrastructure, providing for social and economic benefits to Wicklow and its residents. She has always sought to support those most in need and advocate for those who can’t for themselves.

Anthony Hill

Sinn Féin (new candidate)

Anthony Hill is a social care worker who hails from Wicklow town. His job sees him supporting adults with autism and he also volunteers with young people in his spare time. He said he entered politics to help empower young people and that he wants Wicklow to be a place where they can be optimistic about their futures.

Tim Kavanagh

Independent Ireland (new candidate)

Tim Kavanagh grew up in Wicklow town and went to St. Patrick’s Boys National School then De La Salle College and East Glendalough. He played with Wicklow Town FC, Wicklow Rovers FC, Wicklow Rugby Football Club, St Patrick’s GAA, Inverdee Athletics Club and Wicklow Lawn Tennis Club.

He went on to study Organic Horticulture at Glenealy IT Centre, later pursuing a career in theatre performance from his base in Kinsale, Co. Cork.

Though he has lived away from the Garden County, Tim has remained active in supporting local communities. He helped protect the historic Baltinglass Hill Fort complex, culminating in a 50km trek from Wicklow town to Kilranelagh Hill in Baltinglass in June of 2021. Recently, Tim joined Keep Ireland Open to advocate for public access to natural spaces and wants to continue to champion environmental conservation.

Shane Langrell

Fine Gael (new candidate)

Shane Langrell is a farmer who grew up in Ballinahinch, Newtownmountkennedy and now lives in Knockadreet, Ashford with his wife, Roisin, and their daughters, Alannah, Kerrie, and Erin.

Demonstrating a history of community service, Shane devoted 12 years to the Roundwood AFC committee, serving as chairperson for seven years and contributing to the club's developmental initiatives. He remains an active committee member. In addition, Shane participated in leadership, committee, and fundraising activities with An Tochar Ladies’ and Men’s GAA. He also served as the Ladies GAA Chairperson for three years.

He is passionate about rural Wicklow and representing the unique needs of his local community.

John Larkin

Independent (new candidate)

John Larkin of Newtownmountkennedy has been amongst the campaigners protesting about plans for an IPAS Centre at River Lodge House, Newtown, and decided to run for a seat on Wicklow Municipal District after growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of information being provided to the local community.

John also unsuccessfully contested the 2020 General Election, when he called for the vacant River Lodge House to be put to use as a community-care facility.

John worked in the health service for over 40 years, both as an administrator and in community-care settings in Wicklow, the north inner-city and Ballymun..

He also played football for Newtown, hurling for Newcastle, was a member of Roundwood Macra na Feirme, and played soccer for Kilpedder Blues and Newcastle United.

Ciara Martin Perks

Independent (new candidate)

Born and raised in Newtownmountkennedy, Ciara Martin Perks actively volunteers and works with community groups, clubs and schools including Newtown Lights up for Christmas, Newtown Community Forum, Community Memorial Evening, the local CE Scheme, Wicklow PPN, Community Centre, GAA Healthy Clubs, Newtown St Patrick’s Day committee as well as being a board member of Newtownmountkennedy Primary School.

Ciara’s commitment and dedication to help improve her community was recognised when she was awarded the County Wicklow Volunteer Centre 2022 Local Volunteer Award.

Abbie O’Loughlin

Sinn Féin (new candidate)

Abbie O’Loughlin hails from Rathnew is currently in her final year studying history and politics at UCD. She is an active member of the GAA and has played for Rathnew Ladies GAA. She wants to see more resources being put in place locally for young people and will be looking for new recreational and sports facilities in the area. She said she wants to help end the need for young people to emigrate.

Graham Richmond

Fine Gael (new candidate)

Graham Richmond is a Wicklow town-based teacher and has worked as a history, resource and games teacher at East Glendalough School for over a decade.

Graham’s brother Neale was last year appointed Minister of State for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Graham, who has been heavily involved in the community in Wicklow town through his school life and links with Wicklow Rugby Club, is keen to be a voice who speaks on behalf of the local community.

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Cllr Gail Dunne

Fianna Fáil (running)

Councilor Dunne was first elected to the then Wicklow Town Council in 2009. He was co-opted onto Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Municipal District to replace Pat Casey TD’s seat in 2016. Cllr Cullen is a native of Wicklow town and is a life-long St Patrick’s GAA Club player and coach.

Sporting facilities for local clubs are one of the major issued Cllr Dunne will be pushing for, as well as transport and the congestion experienced on the N11. He will also continue pushing for local employment. In October he was elected as the new President of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), becoming the first Wicklow representative to earn the honour.

Cllr Mary Kavanagh

Independent (running)

Councillor Kavanagh was co-opted onto Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Municipal District in 2016 as a replacement for her late sister, the highly-respected Pat Kavanagh. Mary contested the 2019 local elections and as successfully voted in.

The Independent councillor is passionate about environmental issues, such as the continuing erosion taking place at the Murrough. She has also been involved in local community initiatives in Wicklow town, including the little free library, Pippa’s Little Library and the Little Pantry.

Cllr Paul O’Brien

Labour (running)

Wicklow town-native Councillor O’Brien was first elected to Wicklow Municipal District and Wicklow County Council in 2019. He is passionate about his community and regards social and affordable housing as one of his main priorities. Cllr O’Brien is also well known in local sporting circles and is the former National President of the Irish Soccer Referees Society.

He has been leading calls for an Aires campervan site for Wicklow town in light of the lack of tourist accommodation in the area.

Cllr John Snell

Independent (running)

Councillor Snell was first elected in 2009 when he crossed over the line at the first time of asking as a Sinn Féin councillor. He ran again in 2014, when he topped the poll, but was expelled from Sinn Féin in 2016, along with two other sitting councillors, after a party dispute.

Cllr Snell ran as an Independent in the 2019 elections, where he finished second for Wicklow Municipal District. He has been Chair of Wicklow County Council’s Housing SPC and has garnered particular praise for his handling of the portfolio.

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