Galway County Council

Local authority for County Galway, Ireland

Galway County Council

Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe

Type
Type|

County council

of County Galway

History
Founded| 1 April 1899
Leadership

Cathaoirleach

David Collins, FG

Structure
Seats| 39

Political groups

Fine Gael (13)
Fianna Fáil (11)
Independent Ireland (6)
Sinn Féin (2)
Independent (7)[a]

Length of term

| 5 years
Elections

Last election

| 7 June 2024
Motto
Irish: Ceart agus Cóir
"Righteousness and Justice"
Meeting place
Áras an Chontae, Galway
Website
Official website
The area governed by the council

Galway County Council (Irish: Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe) is the local authority of County Galway, Ireland. As a county council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, environment, and local fire services. The council has 39 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach (chairperson). The county administration is headed by a chief executive, Liam Conneally. The county seat is at Áras an Chontae (County Hall) in Galway city.

## History

[edit]

Galway County Council was established on 1 April 1899 under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 for the administrative county of County Galway.[1][2][3] This area was that of the former judicial county of Galway, except the district electoral divisions of Ballinchalla, Drummaan, Inishcaltra North, Mountshannon, Owenbrin, and Rosmoylan (which became part of County Clare); the part of the judicial county of Roscommon which was in the town of Ballinasloe; and the urban district of Galway.[4]

It took over the local administration which had been carried out by county grand juries and county-at-large presentment sessions, which included the maintenance of highways and bridges, the upkeep of lunatic asylums, and the appointment of coroners. The new council also took over some duties from the poor law boards of guardians in relation to diseases of cattle and from the justices of the peace to regulate explosives.[5]

From 1986, Galway City Council has governed the city of Galway as a separate local government area from the rest of the county.[6][7]

The County Council initially met in Tuam.[8] It subsequently acquired the old Galway Infirmary[9] and converted it into a new county headquarters.[10] A modern facility, known as County Hall, was built on the same site and completed in 1999.[11]

## Regional Assembly

[edit]

Galway County Council has three representatives on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly who are part of the West Strategic Planning Area Committee.[12][13]

## Elections

[edit]

The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1919 introduced the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV) for the 1920 Irish local elections.[14] This electoral system has been retained, with members of Galway County Council elected for a five-year term of office from multi-member local electoral areas (LEAs).

Year  |  | FF |  | FG |  | II |  | SF |  | GP |  | RSF |  | Lab |  | PDs |  | Ind | Total

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2024 | 11  | 13  | 6  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 0  | —  | 7  | 39
2019 | 15  | 11  | —  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 0  | —  | 10  | 39
2014 | 12  | 12  | —  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 0  | —  | 11  | 39
2009 | 7  | 13  | —  | 1  | 0  | 1  | 1  | —  | 7  | 30
2004 | 10  | 10  | —  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 3  | 5  | 30
1999 | 16  | 9  | —  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 3  | 30
1991 | 14  | 10  | —  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 2  | 30
1985 | 17  | 9  | —  | 1  | 0  | —  | 0  | —  | 3  | 30

## Local electoral areas and municipal districts

[edit]

County Galway is divided into the following LEAs and municipal districts, defined by electoral divisions.[15]

Municipal District  | LEA  | Definition  | Seats

|
|
|

Athenry | Athenry–Oranmore | Abbey East, An Carn Mór, Athenry, Aughrim (in the former Rural District of Galway), Baile an Teampaill, Baile Chláir, Belleville, Cappalusk, Ceathrú an Bhrúnaigh, Cloonkeen (in the former Rural District of Loughrea), Deerpark, Eanach Dhúin, Graigabbey, Greethill, Killimor (in the former Rural District of Loughrea), Leacach Beag, Liscananaun, Lisín an Bhealaigh, Monivea, Oranmore, Ryehill, Stradbally and Tiaquin.  | 7
Ballinasloe | Ahascragh, Annagh, Aughrim (in the former Rural District of Ballinasloe), Ballinasloe Rural, Ballinasloe Urban, Ballinastack, Ballymacward, Ballymoe, Ballynakill (in the former Rural District of Glenamaddy), Ballynakill (in the former Rural District of Mountbellew), Boyounagh, Caltra, Castleblakeney, Castleffrench, Clonbrock, Clonfert, Clontuskert, Cloonkeen (in the former Rural District of Mountbellew), Cloonkeen (in the former Rural District of Tuam), Colmanstown, Cooloo, Creggs, Curraghmore, Derryglassaun, Glennamaddy, Island, Kellysgrove, Kilconnell, Kilcroan, Killaan, Killallaghtan, Killeroran, Killian, Killure, Kilmacshane, Kiltullagh (in the former Rural District of Glenamaddy), Kylemore, Laurencetown, Lismanny, Mount Bellew, Mounthazel, Raheen, Scregg, Shankill, Taghboy, Templetogher and Toberroe.  | 6
Conamara | Conamara North  | Abhainn Ghabhla, An Chorr, An Cnoc Buí, An Fhairche, An Ros, An Turlach, An Uillinn, Ballynakill (in the former Rural District of Clifden), Binn an Choire, Bunowen, Camas, Cill Chuimín (in the former Rural District of Oughterard), Cleggan, Clifden, Cloch na Rón, Conga, Cushkillary, Derrycunlagh, Derrylea, Doonloughan, Errislannan, Inishbofin, Leitir Breacáin, Letterfore, Maíros, Oughterard, Rinvyle, Scainimh, Sillerna and Wormhole.  | 4
Conamara South  | An Crompán, An Spidéal, Árainn, Bearna, Cill Aithnín, Gaillimh (Tuath) Garmna, Cill Chuimín (in the former Rural District of Galway), Leitir Móir, Maigh Cuilinn, Na Forbacha, Sailearna, Sliabh an Aonaigh and Tulaigh Mhic Aodháin  | 5
Loughrea | Gort–Kinvara | Ardamullivan, Ardrahan, Ballycahalan, Ballynacourty, Beagh, Cahermore, Cappard, Castleboy, Castletaylor, Clarinbridge, Craughwell, Derrylaur, Doorus, Drumacoo, Gort, Kilbeacanty, Kilchreest, Killeely, Killeenavarra, Killinny, Killogilleen, Kiltartan, Kilthomas, Kinvarra, Rahasane and Skehanagh.  | 5
Loughrea  | Abbeygormacan, Abbeyville, Aille, Ballyglass, Ballynagar, Bracklagh, Bullaun, Coos, Derrew, Drumkeary, Drummin, Eyrecourt, Grange, Kilconickny, Kilconierin, Killimor (in the former Rural District of Portumna), Killoran, Kilmalinoge, Kilmeen, Kilquain, Kilreekill, Kilteskill, Kiltormer, Kiltullagh (in the former Rural District of Loughrea), Lackalea, Leitrim, Loughatorick, Loughrea Rural, Loughrea Urban, Marblehill, Meelick, Moat, Mountain, Moyode, Oatfield, Pallas, Portumna, Raford, Tiranascragh, Tynagh and Woodford.  | 5
Tuam  | Abbey West, Addergoole, Annaghdown, Ballinderry, Ballinduff, Ballynapark, Beaghmore, Belclare, Carrownagur, Carrowrevagh, Claretuam, Clonbern, Cummer, Donaghpatrick, Doonbally, Dunmore North, Dunmore South, Foxhall, Headford, Hillsbrook, Kilbennan, Kilcoona, Killeany, Killeen, Killererin, Killower, Killursa, Kilmoylan, Kilshanvy, Levally, Milltown, Moyne, Toberadosh, Tuam Rural and Tuam Urban.  | 7

## Councillors

[edit]

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

### 2024 seats summary

[edit]

Party  | Seats

|

| Fine Gael | 13
| Fianna Fáil | 11
| Independent Ireland | 6
| Sinn Féin | 2
| Independent[a] | 7

### Councillors by electoral area

[edit]

This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.[16]

Council members from 2024 election

Local electoral area  | Name  | Party
Athenry–Oranmore | Albert Dolan[b] |  |  Fianna Fáil
Tomás Grealish |  |  Independent
David Collins |  |  Fine Gael
James Charity |  |  Independent
Peter Feeney |  |  Fine Gael
Cillian Keane |  |  Fianna Fáil
Louis O'Hara[b] |  |  Sinn Féin
Ballinasloe | Michael Connolly |  |  Fianna Fáil
Declan Geraghty |  |  Independent Ireland
Alan Harney |  |  Fine Gael
Evelyn Parsons |  |  Independent
Dermot Connolly |  |  Sinn Féin
Peter Keaveney |  |  Fine Gael
Conamara North  | Thomas Welby |  |  Independent
Séamus Walsh |  |  Independent Ireland
Gerry King |  |  Fianna Fáil
Eileen Mannion |  |  Fine Gael
Conamara South  | Noel Thomas |  |  Independent Ireland
Pádraig Mac an Iomaire |  |  Fine Gael
Tomás Ó Curraoin[a] |  |  Independent
Michael Leainde |  |  Independent Ireland
Máirtín Lee |  |  Fianna Fáil
Gort–Kinvara  | Geraldine Donohue |  |  Independent
Martina Kinane |  |  Fianna Fáil
P. J. Murphy[b] |  |  Fine Gael
Paul Killilea |  |  Fine Gael
Gerry Finnerty |  |  Fianna Fáil
Loughrea | Shane Curley[b] |  |  Fianna Fáil
Declan Kelly |  |  Independent Ireland
Jimmy McClearn |  |  Fine Gael
Michael 'Moegie' Maher |  |  Fine Gael
Ivan Canning |  |  Fianna Fáil
Tuam | Andrew Reddington |  |  Fine Gael
Peter Roche[b] |  |  Fine Gael
Mary Hoade |  |  Fianna Fáil
Shaun Cunniffe |  |  Independent Ireland
Donagh Mark Killilea |  |  Fianna Fáil
Karey McHugh Farag |  |  Independent
Ollie Turner |  |  Fine Gael

Notes

1. ^ a b c Tomás Ó Curraoin is a member of the unregistered Republican Sinn Féin party and therefore sits as an independent on the council, and appeared as so on the 2024 ballot paper.
2. ^ a b c d e Replaced during term, see table below for details.

#### Co-options

[edit]

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

|
|
|
|
|

|  Sinn Féin | Louis O'Hara | Athenry–Oranmore  | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 11 December 2024  | Martin McNamara[17]
|  Fianna Fáil | Albert Dolan | Athenry–Oranmore  | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election  | 16 December 2024  | Seán Broderick[18]
|  Fine Gael | Peter Roche | Tuam  | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election  | 12 December 2024  | Siobhan McHugh[19]
|  Fianna Fáil | Shane Curley | Loughrea  | Elected to 27th Seanad at the 2025 Seanad election | 24 March 2025  | Michael Regan[20]
|  Fine Gael | P. J. Murphy | Gort–Kinvara  | Elected to 27th Seanad at the 2025 Seanad election  | January 2025  | Laurie Harney

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 (61 & 62 Vict., c. 37)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives.
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 Galway". 27th Report of the Local Government Board for Ireland (Cmd. 9480). Dublin: Local Government Board for Ireland. 1900. pp. 266–269.
5. ^ Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, s. 6: Transfer to county council of business of boards of guardians as to poor rate, cattle diseases and explosives (61 & 62 Vict., c. 37 of 1898, s. 6). Enacted on 12 August 1898. Act of the UK Parliament. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book. Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, c.83
6. ^ Local Government (Reorganisation) Act 1985, s. 5: Establishment of Borough of Galway as County Borough (No. 7 of 1985, s. 5). Enacted on 3 April 1985. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 24 June 2021.
7. ^ Local Government (Reorganisation) Act 1985 (County Borough of Galway) (Appointed Day) Order 1985 (S.I. No. 425 of 1985). Signed on 18 December 1985. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 24 June 2021.
8. ^ "Archive exhibition celebrates 120th anniversary of the first meeting of Galway County Council". Galway Daily. 29 April 2019. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
9. ^ "Galway Infirmary, 1802-1892" (PDF). Galway County Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
10. ^ "Local Authorities – Dáil Éireann (23rd Dáil)". Oireachtas. 26 May 1982. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
11. ^ "Galway County Council". Wejchert Associates. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 1 November 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 19 April 2023.
13. ^ "NWRA Members". Northern and Western Regional Assembly. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
14. ^ "Local Government (Ireland) Act 1919 (c. 19)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives.
15. ^ County of Galway Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 618 of 2018). Signed on 19 December 2018. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 23 February 2019.
16. ^ "Galway County Council – Elected Candidates". RTÉ News. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
17. ^ "Sinn Féin's Martin McNamara to be co-opted to Louis O'Hara's seat on County Council". Galway bay FM. 11 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
18. ^ "Fianna Fáil selects Seán Broderick for co-option to council seat left vacant by Albert Dolan". Galway Bay FM. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
19. ^ "Fine Gael's Siobhan McHugh to be co-opted to vacant seat on County Council". GalwayBay FM. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
20. ^ "Fianna Fáil selects former councillor Michael Regan for co-option to council seat left vacant by Shane Curley". GalwayBay FM. 24 March 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

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Abolished structures|

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Acts|

* Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840
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* Local Government Act 2019

See also|

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

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