Meet the Sligo-Leitrim candidates: Chris MacManus
Chris MacManus, Sinn Féin, served as a member of the European Parliament from 2020 to 2024, and is now seeking election to Dáil Éireann.
Former MEP Chris MacManus is well known for his community and political activism seeking positive change and investment for all in the Northwest.
One of only three people from the Sligo/Leitrim constituency to serve as an MEP in Brussels, Chris had previously been a Councillor in Sligo since 1999. He narrowly missed winning a seat at the 2016 General Election.
MacManus has strong links with the area. His mother, Helen McGovern hails from Glenfarne, whilst his father Sean MacManus comes from Gubaveeney, near Dowra.
“For nearly five years in the European Parliament, I championed the Northwest of Ireland, highlighting decades of regional imbalance and our communities not having access to infrastructure and services taken for granted elsewhere.
I want to continue this work as a TD.
“As a member of the Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, I also prioritised the need to reverse rural decline as well as protecting our farming families and our young farmers.
There needs to be less red tape and more incentives - you cannot keep asking farmers to do more for less.
“As an Irish Republican, I have committed my political life to Irish Unity and equality for all our citizens. This underscores all my political activism."