Donna makes history as new Cathaoirleach

Fine Gael Cllr Donna Sheridan has been elected uncontested as the new Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District for the 2024-2025 term, making her the first woman to hold the position.

The Balla native, who was first elected as a councillor in 2019, was nominated and seconded by Fine Gael party colleagues Cllr Ger Deere and Cllr Cyril Burke.

Paying tribute to Cllr Sheridan, Cllr Deere said: “Donna was relatively unknown five years ago but everyone certainly knows her now. She is meticulous, passionate about Castlebar and forensic, as officials well know, but for all the right reasons. The taxpayers expect us to run proper public services and she is very passionate about that and will fight for the rights of the people to make this a better area. We are all elected to make good decisions and I know we are making one today as Cllr Sheridan goes forward as the first female Cathaoirleach of Castlebar MD.” 

Addressing Cllr Sheridan, Cllr Deere said she would drive on a lot of projects in Castlebar to make it a better town to work and live in and he welcomed Cllr Sheridan’s family who were all in attendance. There was no counter-proposal so Cllr Sheridan was elected unanimously. 

Newly-elected Independent Cllr Harry Barrett said it was a historic day in Castlebar, adding that Cllr Sheridan was "a role model for young women and girls in this town". 

"We need to see more of this in this town and county and you are ploughing a new furrow for young women and girls and I look forward to working with you.”

Long-serving Fianna Fáil Cllr Al McDonnell was elected Leas-Cathaoirleach of the district after he was nominated by Cllrs Deere and Burke as part of the historic power-sharing pact between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in Mayo County Council.