Donegal Life: Cllr Niamh Kennedy on taking the helm as council Cathaoirleach

Beginning her third consecutive term in Donegal County Council, Killybegs woman Cllr Niamh Kennedy is  by now a seasoned politician who remains as passionate as ever about the issues that drove her to run for election in the first place.

And despite being courted by a number of established parties since first dipping a toe into the turbulent waters of politics, she has held on firmly to her independence, valuing full autonomy above any benefits that the backing of a political party could bring. 

Support for the rural communities that make up the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal where she sits has been at the core of her political drive to date. Now, as she dons the Cathaoirleach’s chain of office, she is encouraging people of all ages across County Donegal to engage with local politics and with the decisions that affect their daily lives.

She is acutely aware of the low number of female voices in Donegal County Council, and hopes that more women will feel empowered to step forward in the near future. 

“The council is 125 years old this year, with four women elected to the chair in that entire 125 years,” said Cllr Kennedy. 

“That is very disappointing, that there have been so few of us in all that time.”Only 12 women have been elected to sit on Donegal County Council in all that time. 

“It doesn’t seem to register that there are so few of us and how important it is to address that balance,” she said. “Women do take a different view in the broad spectrum. When you have things being done the same way for so long without being questioned, you need more voices to say, ‘But what if?’”

On being the first independent female councillor in the role of Cathaoirleach, she said: “It is an honour, a very great honour, and one that I do not take lightly.

“I will be an independent voice for all the people of Donegal and will represent them to the very best of my ability. My aim is to make positive change in whatever capacity.”

For more women to become involved as the council moves forward, Cllr Kennedy believes that education could play a huge role in making politics accessible and more relevant to young women, and indeed, to the younger generation in general. 

“We had a few young people looking to see if they could get educated in politics,” she said. “But there are not many places at third level here in Ireland. A lot of people are hampered by cost and limited availability of courses.”

The councillor believes that second level institutions could play a leading role in engaging young people with politics.

“If the ETB could take on board and start introducing politics into schools as a Leaving Cert subject, that would open it up to young people to be informed on how local politics is so important and relevant to them,” she said.

And indeed, it is not only young people who don’t always realise the significance of local decision making and the impact this has on many areas of their lives. 

“People can take for granted that things are just there, that the potholes will be filled, that so much just happens,” said Cllr Kennedy. “But there is a lot going on to make sure everything is running well, that things are built, that roads are maintained, that funding is there, that community groups are supported.”

Being Cathaoirleach of Donegal means that there is a busy year ahead for Cllr Kennedy, but she is not daunted by the workload.

“The diary is certainly starting to fill up,” she said, “But I am looking forward to all that the role entails.”

Cllr Kennedy will also be keeping a close watch on her own area, the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal.

“It has been 10 years since the Ccaathaoirleach role last came south of the Gap,” she said. “It is really important that we make the most of it.”

Newly elected Cathaoirleach of Donegal MD Cllr Noel Jordan (SF), echoed this sentiment at the AGM of the MD. 

“It is a huge success for the MD to have the Cathaoirleach of the county here and I would like to congratulate and welcome Cllr Niamh Kennedy.

“It is very important and a great opportunity that we have the Cathaoirleach sitting here among us. The last chair was former Cllr John Campbell back in 2014.”

On her role as councillor in the MD where many local decisions are made and issues discussed, Cllr Kennedy stressed the importance of ensuring that everyone feels represented, from Bundoran to Glencolmcille. 

“We all put on the MD jersey here, we all work as a team,” she said. “No area will be left out.”