What exactly has Mayo electorate said as new political map is drawn?
By Caoimhín Rowland
THE election results in Mayo have drawn a new political map.
From Rose Conway-Walsh in Belmullet to Dara Calleary in Ballina, Alan Dillon in Castlebar, Keira Keogh in Westport and now Paul Lawless representing the south/east, a definite geographic divide has emerged.
Perhaps it all makes more sense now. No one candidate can be viewed to be overstretching boundaries.
But, as we all know, the pursuit for more will only intensify as these national representatives will not be councillors in Dáil Eireann - they will be all of our TDs no matter their political hue or homeland.
For the first time in history, Mayo has elected two women to Dáil Éireann - an undeniably seismic moment for the county.
A glass ceiling has been shattered as outgoing opposition spokesperson on Public Expenditure, Rose Conway-Walsh, along with her Sinn Féin colleagues Mairéad Farrell and Claire Kerrane, has placed the party firmly in the lead across the west of Ireland.
A fascinating trend across Connaught has emerged - along with Pearse Doherty doing a ‘Healy-Rae’ in Donegal, Sinn Féin TDs remain personally popular and proved their meteoric rise to the top of polls was not a mere coincidence but part of a wider shift towards voters intentions.
Dr. Ann Marie Courell should also be lauded for her role in providing a clear, concise and communicative count. It was swift, without controversy and rightly commended by all those who placed their name on the ballot paper in this county.
Mayo voters have sent a clear message - they are less content with the status quo than the national electorate outcome.
Fianna Fáil, in particular, struggled during this campaign. To regain momentum, the party would be wise to elevate Dara Calleary to a senior cabinet position.
His strong showing across all ballot boxes highlights his enduring prestige among Mayo voters, but will his party leaders recognise his value the same way local voters note he is the elder statesmen Mayo has sent to the Dáil.
A senior role for Calleary could pave the way for Fianna Fáil to field two candidates in the next general election - a strategy that makes sense given the party’s urban-focused recovery in Dublin.
Despite being on the periphery of the county, a top-role which would allow him to deliver on the Ballina by-pass, upgrades to the N26 and an injuries unit in Ballina Hospital would see his stock rise even further.
It’s historically been difficult for Fianna Fáil to top the poll in Mayo, but forward thinking strategists should take the second elections of Keogh and Lawless as a chance to target and widen their return in this constituency.
While Fianna Fáil has reclaimed ground in the capital, a remarkable feat considering its demise post-crash, the party continues to lag across Connaught. A concerted effort to rebuild in rural heartlands like Mayo is urgently needed.
Castlebar presents both a challenge and an opportunity for aspiring politicians, yet amidst the collapse opportunity beckons for a would-be politician keen to replicate the success of Albert Dolan in Galway East.
Castlebar, once a Fianna Fáil stronghold, is now at a crossroads. While local institutions like ATU are growing and night-life is improving, the town struggles with a perception problem among young people, who often describe it as 'depressing'.
Revitalising Castlebar will require sustained efforts - affordable housing, cultural events and community engagement could help retain young talent.
Any aspiring politician must focus on grassroots involvement, connecting with the community, and addressing local concerns well before campaign season begins.
Otherwise the local voters sees through conceited efforts, but on the other hand no generation prefers to see the youth take action at the local level as they have left a magnificent town and county which all residents wish to see prosper.
Paul Lawless of Aontú has claimed the south Mayo seat, or is it the east Mayo seat? But his hold is far from secure. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are already preparing to challenge his position in 2029.
Lawless, who previously criticised councillors for failing to report on their foreign trips, now faces similar scrutiny from local representatives. Cathaoirleach Councillor Damian Ryan’s call for bi-annual progress updates from elected TDs from the Claremorris/Swinford Municipal District signalling that Lawless will be held accountable for his brief and tumultuous time inside the chambers of Mayo County Council.
In the Swinford-Claremorris district, three sitting councillors contested the election, and all were commended for their efforts at the first municipal district meeting post-election. However, the ascension of an Aontú TD has sparked quiet concerns within the council.
There are definite murmurs that a councillor within the chamber is already being groomed to challenge Lawless in the future. It would be foolish to allow him free-reign, particularly after he put many a nose out of joint.
The decision of Lawless to set up a constituency office in whichever town will be followed closely, and so too will his co-optee.
Aontú, interestingly, hold the same political office in Mayo as Sinn Féin, despite 100 years or 50 (depends who you’re asking) years in the difference since their establishment. Sinn Féin have one deputy and once councillor; Lawless’ election gives Toibín the exact same.
The merry-go-round of political intrigue continues here in Mayo as Seanad elections approach.
A deal of attention turns to Mayo’s two sitting senators: Lisa Chambers of Fianna Fáil, who leads Seanad Éireann, and Fine Gael’s Paddy Burke.
Both face uncertain futures as candidates from Erris, Castlebar and Ballina are rumoured to be positioning themselves for a run.
With publicans and councillors among the likely contenders, the weeks ahead of Christmas will bring clarity to this evolving race.