Galway County Council (Irish: Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe) is the local authority of County Galway, Ireland. As a county council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, environment, and local fire services. The council has 39 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach (chairperson). The county administration is headed by a chief executive, Liam Conneally. The county seat is at Áras an Chontae (County Hall) in Galway city.
Galway County Council Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Albert Dolan, FF | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 39 |
 | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
Last election | 7 June 2024 |
| Motto | |
| Irish: Ceart agus Cóir "Righteousness and Justice" | |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Áras an Chontae, Galway | |
| Website | |
Official website  | |
History
editGalway County Council dates from 1899, created by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, which introduced county councils to Ireland. It took over the local administration until then carried out by county grand juries and county at large presentment sessions, which included the maintenance of highways and bridges, the upkeep of lunatic asylums, and the appointment of coroners. The new council also took over some duties from the poor law boards of guardians in relation to diseases of cattle and from the justices of the peace to regulate explosives.[1]
The County Council initially met in Tuam.[2] It subsequently acquired the old Galway Infirmary[3] and converted it into a new county headquarters.[4] A modern facility, known as County Hall, was built on the same site and completed in 1999.[5]
Regional Assembly
editGalway County Council has three representatives on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly who are part of the West Strategic Planning Area Committee.[6]
Elections
editMembers of Galway County Council are elected for a five-year term of office on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV) from multi-member local electoral areas (LEAs).
| Year | FF | FG | II | SF | GP | RSF | Lab | PDs | Ind | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 7 | 39 | |||||||||
| 2019 | 15 | 11 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 10 | 39 | |||||||||
| 2014 | 12 | 12 | — | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 11 | 39 | |||||||||
| 2009 | 7 | 13 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 7 | 30 | |||||||||
| 2004 | 10 | 10 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 30 | |||||||||
| 1999 | 16 | 9 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 30 | |||||||||
| 1991 | 14 | 10 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 30 | |||||||||
| 1985 | 17 | 9 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | — | 3 | 30 | |||||||||
Local electoral areas and municipal districts
editCounty Galway is divided into the following LEAs and municipal districts, defined by electoral divisions.[7]
| Municipal District | LEA | Definition | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athenry | Athenry–Oranmore | Abbey East, An Carn Mór, Athenry, Aughrim (in the former Rural District of Galway), Baile an Teampaill, Baile Chláir, Belleville, Cappalusk, Ceathrú an Bhrúnaigh, Cloonkeen (in the former Rural District of Loughrea), Deerpark, Eanach Dhúin, Graigabbey, Greethill, Killimor (in the former Rural District of Loughrea), Leacach Beag, Liscananaun, Lisín an Bhealaigh, Monivea, Oranmore, Ryehill, Stradbally and Tiaquin. | 7 |
| Ballinasloe | Ahascragh, Annagh, Aughrim (in the former Rural District of Ballinasloe), Ballinasloe Rural, Ballinasloe Urban, Ballinastack, Ballymacward, Ballymoe, Ballynakill (in the former Rural District of Glenamaddy), Ballynakill (in the former Rural District of Mountbellew), Boyounagh, Caltra, Castleblakeney, Castleffrench, Clonbrock, Clonfert, Clontuskert, Cloonkeen (in the former Rural District of Mountbellew), Cloonkeen (in the former Rural District of Tuam), Colmanstown, Cooloo, Creggs, Curraghmore, Derryglassaun, Glennamaddy, Island, Kellysgrove, Kilconnell, Kilcroan, Killaan, Killallaghtan, Killeroran, Killian, Killure, Kilmacshane, Kiltullagh (in the former Rural District of Glenamaddy), Kylemore, Laurencetown, Lismanny, Mount Bellew, Mounthazel, Raheen, Scregg, Shankill, Taghboy, Templetogher and Toberroe. | 6 | |
| Conamara | Conamara North | Abhainn Ghabhla, An Chorr, An Cnoc Buí, An Fhairche, An Ros, An Turlach, An Uillinn, Ballynakill (in the former Rural District of Clifden), Binn an Choire, Bunowen, Camas, Cill Chuimín (in the former Rural District of Oughterard), Cleggan, Clifden, Cloch na Rón, Conga, Cushkillary, Derrycunlagh, Derrylea, Doonloughan, Errislannan, Inishbofin, Leitir Breacáin, Letterfore, Maíros, Oughterard, Rinvyle, Scainimh, Sillerna and Wormhole. | 4 |
| Conamara South | An Crompán, An Spidéal, Árainn, Bearna, Cill Aithnín, Gaillimh (Tuath) Garmna, Cill Chuimín (in the former Rural District of Galway), Leitir Móir, Maigh Cuilinn, Na Forbacha, Sailearna, Sliabh an Aonaigh and Tulaigh Mhic Aodháin | 5 | |
| Loughrea | Gort–Kinvara | Ardamullivan, Ardrahan, Ballycahalan, Ballynacourty, Beagh, Cahermore, Cappard, Castleboy, Castletaylor, Clarinbridge, Craughwell, Derrylaur, Doorus, Drumacoo, Gort, Kilbeacanty, Kilchreest, Killeely, Killeenavarra, Killinny, Killogilleen, Kiltartan, Kilthomas, Kinvarra, Rahasane and Skehanagh. | 5 |
| Loughrea | Abbeygormacan, Abbeyville, Aille, Ballyglass, Ballynagar, Bracklagh, Bullaun, Coos, Derrew, Drumkeary, Drummin, Eyrecourt, Grange, Kilconickny, Kilconierin, Killimor (in the former Rural District of Portumna), Killoran, Kilmalinoge, Kilmeen, Kilquain, Kilreekill, Kilteskill, Kiltormer, Kiltullagh (in the former Rural District of Loughrea), Lackalea, Leitrim, Loughatorick, Loughrea Rural, Loughrea Urban, Marblehill, Meelick, Moat, Mountain, Moyode, Oatfield, Pallas, Portumna, Raford, Tiranascragh, Tynagh and Woodford. | 5 | |
| Tuam | Abbey West, Addergoole, Annaghdown, Ballinderry, Ballinduff, Ballynapark, Beaghmore, Belclare, Carrownagur, Carrowrevagh, Claretuam, Clonbern, Cummer, Donaghpatrick, Doonbally, Dunmore North, Dunmore South, Foxhall, Headford, Hillsbrook, Kilbennan, Kilcoona, Killeany, Killeen, Killererin, Killower, Killursa, Kilmoylan, Kilshanvy, Levally, Milltown, Moyne, Toberadosh, Tuam Rural and Tuam Urban. | 7 | |
Councillors
editThe following were elected at the 2024 Galway County Council election.
2024 seats summary
edit| Party | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Gael | 13 | |
| Fianna Fáil | 11 | |
| Independent Ireland | 6 | |
| Sinn Féin | 2 | |
| Independent[a] | 7 | |
Councillors by electoral area
editThis list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.[8]
| Council members from 2024 election | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Local electoral area | Name | Party | |
| Athenry–Oranmore | Albert Dolan | Fianna Fáil | |
| Tomás Grealish | Independent | ||
| David Collins | Fine Gael | ||
| James Charity | Independent | ||
| Peter Feeney | Fine Gael | ||
| Cillian Keane | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Louis O'Hara | Sinn Féin | ||
| Ballinasloe | Michael Connolly | Fianna Fáil | |
| Declan Geraghty | Independent Ireland | ||
| Alan Harney | Fine Gael | ||
| Evelyn Parsons | Independent | ||
| Dermot Connolly | Sinn Féin | ||
| Peter Keaveney | Fine Gael | ||
| Conamara North | Thomas Welby | Independent | |
| Séamus Walsh | Independent Ireland | ||
| Gerry King | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Eileen Mannion | Fine Gael | ||
| Conamara South | Noel Thomas | Independent Ireland | |
| Pádraig Mac an Iomaire | Fine Gael | ||
| Tomás Ó Curraoin[a] | Independent | ||
| Michael Leainde | Independent Ireland | ||
| Máirtín Lee | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Gort–Kinvara | Geraldine Donohue | Independent | |
| Martina Kinane | Fianna Fáil | ||
| P. J. Murphy | Fine Gael | ||
| Paul Killilea | Fine Gael | ||
| Gerry Finnerty | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Loughrea | Shane Curley | Fianna Fáil | |
| Declan Kelly | Independent Ireland | ||
| Jimmy McClearn | Fine Gael | ||
| Michael 'Moegie' Maher | Fine Gael | ||
| Ivan Canning | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Tuam | Andrew Reddington | Fine Gael | |
| Pete Roche | Fine Gael | ||
| Mary Hoade | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Shaun Cunniffe | Independent Ireland | ||
| Donagh Mark Killilea | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Karey McHugh Farag | Independent | ||
| Ollie Turner | Fine Gael | ||
- Notes
- ^ a b c Tomás Ó Curraoin is a member of the unregistered Republican Sinn Féin party and therefore sits as an independent on the council, and appeared as so on the 2024 ballot paper.
References
edit- ^ Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, s. 6: Transfer to county council of business of boards of guardians as to poor rate, cattle diseases and explosives (61 & 62 Vict., c. 37 of 1898, s. 6). Enacted on 12 August 1898. Act of the UK Parliament. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book. Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, c.83
- ^ "Archive exhibition celebrates 120th anniversary of the first meeting of Galway County Council". Galway Daily. 29 April 2019. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
- ^ "Galway Infirmary, 1802-1892" (PDF). Galway County Council. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
- ^ "Local Authorities – Dáil Éireann (23rd Dáil)". Oireachtas. 26 May 1982. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ "Galway County Council". Wejchert Associates. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
- ^ Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014, Article 5 and Schedule 3 (S.I. No. 573 of 2014). Signed on 16 December 2014. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 19 April 2023.
- ^ County of Galway Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 618 of 2018). Signed on 19 December 2018. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 23 February 2019.
- ^ "Galway County Council – Elected Candidates". RTÉ News. Retrieved 14 June 2024.