Wicklow County Council leaders to be all female for first time
But the move to put a Government party in the chair was not welcomed by all.
On Monday, Melanie Corrigan was elected as the new cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council.
The Fine Gael representative in Bray West comfortably beat independent councillor John Snell by 22 votes to 10 during the local authority's annual general meeting at County Buildings.
Ms Corrigan succeeds Paul O'Brien, who took up the position last summer.
In his outgoing speech the Labour councillor said it was an honour to represent the people of Wicklow both at home and abroad over the past year.
'The role is one I'll cherish for the rest of my life. I honestly never dreamt when I was elected in 2019, then re-elected in 2024 that I'd ever be cathaoirleach and that's the truth. I've given it my all and enjoyed every minute of the journey.
There are a lot of people to thank, they know who they are, they know what they mean to me. I can never repay them, I just hope I made them proud.'
Numerous tributes were paid to the LGBTQ+ advocate who was the first openly gay cathaoirleach in the county.
Councillor Stephen Stokes acknowledged his professionalism and how he 'always let people speak.'
Councillor Dermot O' Brien praised his 'great skill in facilitating groups', while Councillor Peir Leonard appreciated his 'pleasant and fair manner during meetings.'
Ms Corrigan was nominated by her Fine Gael colleague in Arklow. Sylvester Bourke. and seconded by Green Party councillor in Greystones Lourda Scott.
Cllr Scott welcomed the appointment and believes it will help to promote a more positive gender balance following the recent resignation of Ms Corrigan's party colleague Aoife Flynn Kennedy.
She added; 'I believe councillor Corrigan will bring more diversity and new perspectives to the role.'
In opposition to the appointment, independent councillor Gerry O' Neill called for a shift away from electing members of Government-led parties to council roles, a sentiment echoed by his independent colleague Joe Behan.
In her acceptance speech Cllr Corrigan thanked her family, friends and outgoing cathaoirleach Paul O' Brien for his 'exceptional service to the county'.
She vowed to work collaboratively with those inside and outside the chamber in the months ahead.
'Starting off in politics as an elected representative six years ago was a huge honour, and it still is for me to represent my community, but to be elected cathaoirleach of the county was an even bigger honour for me, and my family.
'Thank you to everyone who supported me today and to my family and friends for always being there.
'I'm looking forward to working together with you all, to visiting all the districts in Wicklow and will be as fair and inclusive as I possibly can, to make Wicklow an even better place for us all to live in, work in and visit.'
Ms Corrigan will be joined by Caroline Winstanley as Leas Cathaoirleach in what will be the first all-female ticket in Wicklow.
The Social Democrats representative in Bray West was nominated by her party colleague in Wicklow, Danny Alvey, and seconded by councillor Paul O' Brien.
She faced off competition from independent councillor John Snell after he was nominated by councillor Gerry O' Neill and seconded by ndependent Ireland councillor Ian Neary.
Councillor Winstanley expressed gratitude for the trust that has been placed in her and looks forward to working with all councillors in the year ahead.
'It's a privilege to take on this role, and I'll do my best to represent the council and my community with fairness and respect.'
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