Cork County Council

Local authority for County Cork in Ireland

Cork County Council

Comhairle Contae Chorcaí

Type
Type|

County council

Leadership

Mayor

Mary Linehan Foley, Ind

Structure
Seats| 55

Political groups

Fine Gael (19)
Fianna Fáil (18)
Independent Ireland (4)
Social Democrats (3)
Labour (2)
Sinn Féin (1)
Independent (8)
Elections

Last election

| 7 June 2024
Meeting place
County Hall, Cork
Website
Official website
The area governed by the council

Cork County Council (Irish: Comhairle Contae Chorcaí) is the local authority of County Cork, Ireland. As a county council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001, as amended. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The council has 55 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the title of Mayor. The county administration is headed by a chief executive, Moira Murrell.[1] The county seat is Cork.

## History

[edit]

Cork County Council was established on 1 April 1899 under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 for the administrative county of County Cork.[2][3][4] Originally meetings of Cork County Council were held in the back portion of the top floor of Cork Courthouse.[5] By the 1950s these premises were becoming inadequate and County Hall opened in April 1968.[6]

## Boundary change

[edit]

The area under the administration of Cork County Council was reduced on 31 May 2019, ceding territory to Cork City Council.[7] This implemented changes under the Local Government Act 2019.[8]

The 2015 Cork Local Government Review had recommended merging Cork City Council and Cork County Council into a single "super council"; however, a minority report opposed the merger, with a subsequent report published by an expert advisory group in 2017 recommending a city boundary extension.[9][10][11]

## Regional Assembly

[edit]

Cork County Council has five representatives on the Southern Regional Assembly who are part of the South-West Strategic Planning Area Committee.[12]

## Elections

[edit]

Members of Cork 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  |  | FG |  | FF |  | SF |  | Lab |  | GP |  | SD |  | PDs |  | WP |  | II |  | Ind | Total

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2024 | 19  | 18  | 1  | 2  | 0  | 3  | —  | 0  | 4  | 8  | 55
2019 | 20  | 18  | 2  | 2  | 2  | 1  | —  | 0  | —  | 10  | 55
2014 | 16  | 17  | 10  | 2  | 0  | —  | —  | 0  | —  | 10  | 55
2009 | 22  | 12  | 1  | 7  | 0  | —  | —  | 0  | —  | 6  | 48
2004 | 24  | 16  | 1  | 5  | 0  | —  | 0  | 0  | —  | 2  | 48
1999 | 21  | 19  | 0  | 4  | 0  | —  | 1  | 0  | —  | 3  | 48
1991 | 20  | 19  | 0  | 4  | 0  | —  | 1  | 1  | —  | 3  | 48
1985 | 19  | 24  | 0  | 2  | 0  | —  | —  | 1  | —  | 2  | 48

## Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts

[edit]

County Cork is divided into the municipal districts and local electoral areas, defined by electoral divisions.[13]

Municipal District  | LEA  | Definition  | Seats

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Bandon–Kinsale | Abbeymahon, Ballinadee, Ballinspittle, Ballyfeard, Ballymackean, Ballymartle, Ballymodan, Ballymurphy, Bandon, Baurleigh, Boulteen, Brinny, Butlerstown, Cashel, Coolmain, Courtmacsherry, Cullen (in the former Rural District of Kinsale), Inishannon, Kilbrittain, Kilbrogan, Kilmaloda East, Kilmaloda West, Kilmonoge, Kinsale Rural, Kinsale Urban, Kinure, Knockavilly, Knockroe, Laherne, Leighmoney, Murragh, Nohaval, Rathclarin, Templemartin, Templemichael, Templeomalus and Timoleague. | 6
Carrigaline | Ballyfoyle, Carrigaline (in the former rural district of Kinsale), Dunderrow, Farranbrien, Kilpatrick, Liscleary, Monkstown Urban, Templebreedy;

and

those parts of the electoral divisions of Ballygarvan, Carrigaline (in the former rural district of Cork), Douglas, Inishkenny, and Monkstown Rural that are not contained within the City of Cork.

| 6
Cobh | Ballynaglogh, Carrignavar, Carrigtohill, Cobh Rural, Cobh Urban, Killeagh (in the former Rural District of Cork), Knockraha, Watergrasshill;

and

those parts of the electoral divisions of Caherlag, Rathcooney (part), Riverstown and Whitechurch that are not contained within the City of Cork.

| 6
East Cork | Midleton | Ardagh, Ballintemple, Ballycottin, Ballyspillane, Castlemartyr, Clonmult, Clonpriest, Cloyne, Corkbeg, Dangan, Dungourney, Garryvoe, Ightermurragh, Inch, Kilcronat, Killeagh (in the former Rural District of Youghal No.1), Kilmacdonogh, Lisgoold, Midleton Rural, Midleton Urban, Mogeely, Rostellan, Templebodan, Templenacarriga, Youghal Rural (part) and Youghal Urban. | 7
Fermoy | Aghern, Ballyarthur, Ballyhooly, Ballynoe, Carrig (in the former Rural District of Fermoy), Castle Hyde, Castlecooke, Castlelyons, Castletownroche, Clenor, Coole, Curraglass, Derryvillane, Doneraile, Farahy, Fermoy Rural, Fermoy Urban, Glanworth East, Glanworth West, Glenville, Gortnaskehy, Gortroe, Kilcor, Kilcummer, Kildinan, Kildorrery, Kilgullane, Killathy, Kilphelan, Kilworth, Knockmourne, Leitrim, Marshalstown, Mitchelstown, Monanimy, Rathcormack, Shanballymore, Skahanagh, Streamhill, Templemolaga and Wallstown. | 6
Kanturk–Mallow | Kanturk | Allow, Ardskeagh, Ballyhoolahan, Banteer, Barleyhill, Barnacurra, Bawncross, Boherboy, Castlemagner, Clonfert East, Clonfert West, Clonmeen, Coolclogh, Crinnaloo, Cullen (in the former Rural District of Millstreet), Derragh, Doonasleen, Dromina, Glenlara, Greenane, Kanturk, Keale, Kilbrin, Kilcorney, Kilmeen, Knockatooan, Knocknagree, Knocktemple, Meens, Milford, Milltown, Newmarket, Newtown, Rathcool, Rathluirc, Rosnalee, Rowls, Skagh, Springfort, Tullylease and Williamstown. | 4
Mallow | Ballyclogh, Ballynamona, Blackpool, Buttevant, Caherduggan, Carrig (in the former rural District of Mallow), Castlecor, Churchtown, Dromore, Gortmore, Imphrick, Kilmaclenine, Kilshannig, Knockantota, Liscarroll, Mallow North Urban, Mallow Rural, Mallow South Urban, Nad, Rahan, Roskeen, Templemary and Tincoora. | 5
Macroom | Aghinagh, Aglish, An Sliabh Riabhach, Ballygroman, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh (Maigh Chromta) (in the former Rural District of Macroom), Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh (Dún Mánmhaí) (in the former Rural District of Dunmanway), Bealock, Caherbarnagh, Cannaway, Carrigboy, Ceann Droma, Cill na Martra, Claonráth, Clondrohid, Clonmoyle, Coomlogane, Doire Fhínín, Dripsey, Drishane, Firmount, Gort na Tiobratan, Gowlane, Greenfort, Greenville, Inchigeelagh, Kilberrihert, Kilbonane, Kilcullen, Macloneigh, Macroom Urban, Magourney, Mashanaglass, Mountrivers, Moviddy, Na hUláin, Rahalisk, Teerelton, Warrenscourt;

and those parts of the electoral divisions of Ballincollig, Blarney, Carrigrohanebeg, Matehy and Ovens that are not contained within the City of Cork.

| 6
West Cork | Bantry–West Cork | Adrigole, Aghadown North, Aghadown South, Ahil, Ballybane, Ballydehob, Bantry Rural, Bantry Urban, Bear, Bredagh, Caheragh, Cloghdonnell, Coolagh, Coulagh, Crookhaven, Curryglass, Douce, Dromdaleague North, Dromdaleague South, Dunbeacon, Dunmanus, Durrus East, Durrus West, Garranes, Garrown, Glanlough, Glengarriff, Goleen, Gortnascreeny, Kealkill, Kilcaskan, Kilcatherine, Kilcoe, Killaconenagh, Killeenleagh, Kilnamanagh, Lowertown, Mealagh, Milane, Scart, Seefin, Sheepshead, Skull, Toormore and Whiddy. | 4
Skibbereen–West Cork | Ardfield, Argideen, Aultagh, Ballingurteen, Ballymoney, Bengour, Cahermore, Carrigbaun, Castlehaven North, Castlehaven South, Castletown, Castleventry, Cléire, Clonakilty Rural, Clonakilty Urban, Cloonkeen, Coolcraheen, Coolmountain, Derry, Drinagh (in the former Rural District of Dunmanway), Drinagh (in the former Rural District of Skibbereen), Dunmanway North, Dunmanway South, Kilfaughnabeg, Kilkerranmore, Kilmoylerane, Kilnagross, Kinneigh, Knocks, Knockskagh, Manch, Myross, Rathbarry, Rosscarbery, Rossmore, Shreelane, Skibbereen Rural, Skibbereen Urban, Teadies, Tullagh and Woodfort | 5

## Councillors

[edit]

The following were elected at the 2024 Cork County Council election.

### 2024 seats summary

[edit]

Party  | Seats

|

| Fianna Fáil | 19
| Fine Gael | 18
| Independent Ireland | 4
| Social Democrats | 3
| Labour | 2
| Sinn Féin | 1
| Independent | 8

### Councillors by electoral area

[edit]

This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.[14]

Council members from 2024 election

Local electoral area  | Name  | Party
Bandon–Kinsale | Alan Coleman |  |  Independent
John Collins |  |  Independent Ireland
John Michael Foley |  |  Fine Gael
Ann Bambury |  |  Social Democrats
Gillian Coughlan |  |  Fianna Fáil
Marie O'Sullivan |  |  Fine Gael
Bantry–West Cork | Danny Collins |  |  Independent Ireland
Finbarr Harrington |  |  Independent
Caroline Cronin |  |  Fine Gael
Patrick Gerard Murphy |  |  Fianna Fáil
Carrigaline | Séamus McGrath[a] |  |  Fianna Fáil
Ben Dalton O'Sullivan |  |  Independent
Jack White |  |  Fine Gael
Audrey Buckley |  |  Fianna Fáil
Úna McCarthy |  |  Fine Gael
Eoghan Fahy |  |  Sinn Féin
Cobh | Sheila O'Callaghan |  |  Fianna Fáil
Anthony Barry |  |  Fine Gael
Sinéad Sheppard |  |  Fine Gael
Cathal Rasmussen |  |  Labour
Ger Curley |  |  Independent Ireland
Dominic Finn |  |  Fianna Fáil
Fermoy | William O'Leary |  |  Independent
Noel McCarthy[a] |  |  Fine Gael
Frank O'Flynn |  |  Fianna Fáil
Deirdre O'Brien |  |  Fianna Fáil
Nelius Cotter |  |  Fianna Fáil
Peter O'Donoghue |  |  Independent
Kanturk | Bernard Moynihan |  |  Fianna Fáil
John Paul O'Shea[a] |  |  Fine Gael
Trish Murphy |  |  Fine Gael
Ian Doyle |  |  Fianna Fáil
Macroom | Gobnait Moynihan |  |  Fianna Fáil
Michael Creed |  |  Fine Gael
Michael Looney |  |  Fianna Fáil
Eileen Lynch[a] |  |  Fine Gael
Ted Lucey |  |  Fine Gael
Martin Coughlan |  |  Independent
Mallow | Tony O'Shea |  |  Fine Gael
Liam Madden |  |  Fine Gael
Eoghan Kenny[a] |  |  Labour
Gearóid Murphy |  |  Fianna Fáil
Pat Hayes |  |  Fianna Fáil
Midleton | Mary Linehan Foley |  |  Independent
Michael Hegarty |  |  Fine Gael
Liam Quaide[a] |  |  Social Democrats
Patrick Mulcahy |  |  Fianna Fáil
Rory Cocking |  |  Fine Gael
Ann Marie Ahern |  |  Fianna Fáil
John Buckley |  |  Independent
Skibbereen–West Cork | Noel O'Donovan[a] |  |  Fine Gael
Joe Carroll |  |  Fianna Fáil
Deirdre Kelly |  |  Fianna Fáil
Daniel Sexton |  |  Independent Ireland
Isobel Towse |  |  Social Democrats

Notes

1. ^ a b c d e f g Replaced during term, see table below for details.

#### Co-options

[edit]

Party  | Outgoing  | LEA  | Reason  | Date  | Co-optee

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|  Labour | Eoghan Kenny | Mallow  | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 20 December 2024  | Ronan Sheehan[15]
|  Fianna Fáil | Séamus McGrath | Carrigaline  | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election  | 20 December 2024  | Patrick Donovan[16]
|  Fine Gael | Noel McCarthy | Fermoy  | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election  | 20 December 2024  | Kay Dawson[16]
|  Fine Gael | John Paul O'Shea | Kanturk  | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election  | 20 December 2024  | Aileen Browne[16]
|  Social Democrats | Liam Quaide | Midleton  | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election  | 20 December 2024  | Eamonn Horgan[17]
|  Fine Gael | Eileen Lynch | Macroom  | Elected to the 27th Seanad at the 2025 Seanad election | 21 April 2025  | Kate Lynch[18]
|  Fine Gael | Noel O'Donovan | Skibbereen–West Cork  | Nominated to the 27th Seanad | 21 April 2025  | Brendan McCarthy[18]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Council defends use of debt collectors". The Irish Examiner. 12 February 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
2. ^ Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, s. 1: Establishment of county councils (61 & 62 Vict., c. 37 of 1898, s. 1). Enacted on 12 August 1898. Act of the UK Parliament. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
3. ^ Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, s. 124: Commencement of Act (61 & 62 Vict., c. 37 of 1898, s. 124). Enacted on 12 August 1898. Act of the UK Parliament. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
4. ^ "Orders declaring the boundaries of administrative counties and defining county electoral divisions: County of Cork". 27th Report of the Local Government Board for Ireland (Cmd. 9480). Dublin: Local Government Board for Ireland. 1900. p. 249.
5. ^ "Cork County Hall: 50 years" (PDF). Cork County Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 May 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
6. ^ "Cork County Hall, Cork - Building #1351". www.skyscrapernews.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
7. ^ Local Government Act 2019 (Transfer Day) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 25 of 2019). Signed on 30 January 2019. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 8 February 2020. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 March 2019.
8. ^ Local Government Act 2019 (No. 1 of 2019). Enacted on 25 January 2019. Act of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 March 2019.
9. ^ Cork Local Government Committee (September 2015). "Local Government Arrangements in Cork" (PDF). Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
10. ^ "Merger of Cork councils to be in place for 2019 elections". Evening Echo. 7 September 2015. Archived from the original on 10 October 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
11. ^ "Cork city to double in size taking in Ballincollig, Blarney and Carrigtwohill". Evening Echo. 9 June 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
12. ^ 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 4 May 2023.
13. ^ County Of Cork Local Electoral Areas And Municipal Districts Order 2019 (S.I. No. 28 of 2019). Signed on 31 January 2018. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 18 March 2019.
14. ^ "Cork County Council – Elected Candidates". RTÉ News. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
15. ^ Bohane, John (11 December 2024). "Ronan Sheehan looking forward to resuming political career on Cork County Council". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
16. ^ a b c Bohane, John (17 December 2024). "Fine Gael select candidates to replace outgoing councillors Noel McCarthy and John Paul O'Shea". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
17. ^ Campbell, Amy (13 December 2024). "New councillor selected for Soc Dems in East Cork". Echolive. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
18. ^ a b "Union Hall principal, Brendan McCarthy enters council chambers". The Southern Star. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Map of LEAs

* v
* t
* e

Local elections in Cork City and County

Cork Corporation/City Council|

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Cork County Council|

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City councils|

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Abolished structures|

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Acts|

* Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840
* Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898
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* Local Government Act 1925
* Local Government (Dublin) Act 1930
* Local Government (Dublin) Act 1993
* Local Government Act 2001
* Local Government Reform Act 2014
* Local Government Act 2019

See also|

* Chief executive
* Local electoral areas
* Local government in Dublin

Authority control databases |

* ISNI

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