Meet the Canadian hoping to fill Catherine Connolly’s shoes in Galway by-election – ‘I understand that migrant story’
A Canadian woman living in Ireland for the past 25 years has become the latest person to officially enter the Galway West by-election race, telling supporters at her campaign launch that her fresh approach and being “new” to politics will ultimately stand to her.
Sheila Garrity, a former aide to Catherine Connolly during her successful run for the Áras, has launched her own campaign to fill the vacant Dáil seat left by the now Uachtarán na hÉireann in Galway West.
The by-election to fill Ms Connolly’s seat must take place within six months of her ascension to the Áras – by May 11 at the latest.
A tended fire in the downstairs room of Busker Browne’s in Galway City created a cosy atmosphere for the estimated 75 people who attended Ms Garrity’s official campaign launch on Sunday night.
Ms Garrity, a lecturing professor and childhood studies expert, participated in President Connolly’s campaigns for the Dáil in the mid 2000s and has held various leadership roles in political campaigns and organisations since then. She is now seeking to fill the seat she helped to vacate, having served as Galway City convener for President Connolly’s most recent campaign.
“In her absence, and not seeing that elsewhere on the landscape, I've decided to step forward,” she said, speaking to the Irish Independent.
“We need genuine independence that can speak for the people of Galway City without being beholden to any other powers or voices,” she said on Sunday. “I’m fresh and new to politics. Some people might see that as a disadvantage, but when you look at the list of names, we're going to see a lot of the same names, people who have been in politics in Galway for a very long time.
“And we're not seeing improvements. Things are not changing. The people who are left behind are still left behind. The people who are struggling to get by with their grocery shopping and sitting in traffic, that is still happening.”
During her speech Sunday night, Garrity outlined what she described as the “core issues” facing the county, including housing, traffic, healthcare and early education, as well as “neutrality and genocide” and the Irish language.
Various speeches were given by friends, family, and supporters emphasising the great need for women in politics, MsGarrity’s character, and hopeful visions for a successful campaign.
Galway City councillor Eibhlín Seoighthe was in attendance.
“Migration is the story of the Irish people, but it’s not uniquely Irish. Migration is the story of the human race,” Ms Garrity told the crowd. “I’m a migrant. I came to Galway 25 years ago with Jim and our five children, and we made this place our home. I understand the challenges, the hopes, the vulnerability, the experiences of building a new life in a new place. I understand that migrant story.
“I also understand the deep pride of being Irish, and coming here was very much coming back to my roots.”
Most pointedly, she outlined her vision for the campaign.
“The language of division will have no place in this political campaign.”
President Catherine Connolly outside Áras an Uachtaráin. Photo: PA
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Garrity’s campaign manager, Dr Cameron Keighron, said the strongest pull of her campaign would be the deep roots and connections Ms Garrity has throughout the community through her various roles.
“We’re really trying to do this politics of solidarity, to have conversations to make sure that the everyday average person in our communities feels that this campaign is for them,” Dr Keighron said.
Ms Garrity’s sister Eileen flew from Toronto, Canada, to attend the launch as a surprise, wearing custom-made green campaign T shirts reading ‘Costellos for Garrity’. She spoke of the importance of Irish culture in their home growing up, born to Irish parents, and of the pride she knows they feel in Garrity’s achievements to date.
“The fact that she’s just doing this is absolutely true to who she is; why she’s doing it is true to who she is,” she said. “The fact that she’s doing it is just amazing.
“There are folks here whose children she coached in camogie. There are women who are her PhD students. There are people she’s made connections with through the LGBTQ+ community and through the campaigning work that she’s done.
“The idea of keeping the seat is really, really critical,” she added, saying her work on the Connolly campaign was likely a “tipping point” that motivated her to run.
Her campaign, titled ‘Garrity for Galway’, will begin by hosting community meetings in Shantalla, Oughterard and Ballybane in the coming weeks.
Ahead of any formal announcement setting a date for the by election, which must take place before the beginning of May, other candidates have confirmed they will contest the seat.
Former city councillor Niall Murphy has announced he will stand as a Green Party candidate, while Connemara councillor Thomas Welby is running as an independent, along with his chamber colleague Noel Thomas.
Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are all expect to announce candidates in the coming weeks.