1.
Marie Casserly was first elected to the Sligo County Council in 2014. From Grange, she last contested a general election in 2016 when she polled 2,726 first preference votes. On her decision to contest the general election, she said: “A big decision and one I have been considering for a long time. I truly believe that we in the North West have so much more to offer and it's time for us to start working on that potential.” She prioritises community infrastructure, sustainable growth and support to local businesses. A secondary school teacher, she is a keen supporter of Sligo Rovers, Sligo GAA and Naomh Molaise Gaels.
2.
A serving councillor for the last 15 years, Michael Clarke is a candidate for Independent Ireland. He runs a beef and sheep farm on the slopes of the Ox Mountains, he also has experience in exporting beef and livestock all over Europe. A familiar face at Ballyshannon, Carrickgallon, Mohill, Drumshanbo, Dowra, Manorhamilton, and Ballymote Livestock sales, he is also involved in the hospital business. Councillor Clarke owns and runs the Still Bar in Dromore West, County Sligo, and his son Paul owns and runs the Anchorage Bar and accommodation in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Councillor Clarke says he is committed to the delivery of the N17, N16, and the continuing upgrade of the N59, and the reopening of the Sligo to Claremorris Rail Line. He was part of the initial delegations meeting Arlene Foster and Northern Ireland colleagues to advance the Collooney to Enniskillen Greenway and strongly believes Greenways and cycling lanes should be incorporated into all new and existing roadway projects.
3.
The Labour Party’s Nessa Cosgrove “stands for change and renewal for the North West.” The mother of three initially got involved in politics because “I couldn’t sit back anymore and watch the rich and poor divide grow bigger all the time”, also declaring her concern for the environmental crises, and how no real measures have been put in place in an attempt to reverse it. The voluntary youth worker’s main priorities include building social, affordable and purpose-built houses on a large scale across the region, a nationwide rent freeze, introduction of a living wage, introducing a public system of childcare, and attract sustainable jobs and investment across the Northwest, bringing about more balanced development across the country. She said, “Leitrim should be a fantastic place to live, work, raise a family. The neglect shown to the region means we are not achieving our potential. “The current system isn't working. Labour has a plan to change this.”
4.
Fine Gael’s Frank Feighan, who resides in Sligo town, is “ proud to have secured millions in government investment for jobs, sports facilities, roads, and community infrastructure across our region.” First elected in 2007, Mr Feighan was then appointed as a TD for Sligo Leitrim in the 2020 general election. The father of two is vocal about what he has brought to the community when in office, including a new school in Ballinamore, along with a new nursing unit and primary care centre for the area. The Teachta Dála for the Sligo-Leitrim constituency was also successful in securing funding to purchase the old MBNA building, and advancing the SLNR greenway project and the Glenfarne Wood Amenity Park in North Leitrim. His biggest achievements to date include receiving over €40 million in funding under various measures through the Department of Rural and Community Development which was record funding for a county with a population the size of Leitrim, and securing €17 million under three funding measures for the Shannonside Regional Sports Campus at Carrick-on-Shannon. He says he is “proud of my work in Leitrim, and I want the opportunity to continue that investment for Leitrim, I need your number one vote to do that.”