Social Democrats win second cathaoirleach seat in Wicklow as Greystones election bucks trend
The Wicklow PeopleCouncillors in Greystones have distinguished themselves from the rest of Wicklow with the election of Social Democrats councillor Mark Barry and independent Stephen Stokes as leas cathaoirleach.
Their elections come against the backdrop of a countywide reshuffle that has seen independents and Fine Gael dominate leadership roles elsewhere.
In Cllr Lourda Scott’s final address as cathaoirleach, she reflected on a year in which she sought to use the office as a platform to elevate community voices, highlight gaps in local infrastructure and ensure young people were included in decision-making.
She spoke about bringing sporting organisations to the chamber so councillors and officials could hear first-hand about the pressures facing volunteers.
Left to right: Cllr Louise Fenlon Gaskin, Cllr Stephen Stokes, Cllr Mark Barry, Cllr Tom Fortune and Cllr Lourda Scott. © Wicklow County Council
She described the moment when secondary school students addressed the district for the first time as one of the highlights of her term, saying it demonstrated that leadership “has no age limit”.
Cllr Scott also acknowledged progress on housing, particularly the long-awaited replacement of doors and windows in Farrankelly Estate, while emphasising the scale of unmet needs across the wider district.
Greystones, she noted, has more than 30,000 residents, but only one library, no community hall available for hire, no recycling centre, no primary care centre, and sports and arts facilities that have not kept pace with population growth.
She noted that schools are at maximum capacity, parks could be used more effectively and the sports facilities at Shoreline Leisure Centre are not operating to their full potential.
She expressed disappointment that Tánaiste Simon Harris had not met councillors to discuss school place shortages, despite an invitation extended months ago.
Tributes from fellow councillors highlighted the collaborative nature of Cllr Scott’s term. Cllr Stephen Stokes praised her leadership during the Local Area Plan process, joking that the 15 meetings held over the year meant he saw more of his colleagues than his own family.
Cllr Louise Fenlon Gaskin described working with Cllr Scott as an honour, while Cllr Tom Fortune said she had done a “super job” managing discussions during the plan’s development.
The district manager, Helena Dennehy, also commended her for her work ethic, with councillors noting the professionalism and responsiveness of the municipal district staff.
Cllr Barry’s election as cathaoirleach was proposed by Cllr Fortune and seconded by Cllr Fenlon Gaskin.
In his acceptance remarks, he said it was a privilege to serve and promised to work hard for the district. He paid tribute to Tidy Towns groups, sports coaches and volunteers, highlighting the role they play in shaping community life.
He referenced his work as an ambassador for consent with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s ‘We Consent’ campaign, saying that starting conversations about respect and understanding is vital.
Cllr Barry vowed to build on the vision set out in the Local Area Plan and emphasised the importance of continuing the momentum created during Cllr Scott’s term.
He also pledged to use his voice to continue speaking up in solidarity with the Palestinian people through his ongoing work with Greystones for Palestine, describing commitment to human rights as non-negotiable.
Cllr Stokes, elected leas cathaoirleach on the proposal of Cllr Scott and seconding of Cllr Fenlon Gaskin, was described as an excellent choice for the year ahead.
Cllr Barry and Cllr Stokes were elected to the same positions for the 2023-2024 council, but Cllr Barry resigned as cathaoirleach in December 2023.
Cllr Stokes was then elected to the position, having been serving as leas cathaoirleach.
Cllr Barry said that this arrangement was pre-agreed, and that it is tradition in Greystones for the two councillors who have served the shortest time on the council to share the role of cathaoirleach in the final year before a local election takes place.
Cllr Barry has been a member of the Social Democrats since the formation of the party in 2015 and became a councillor in Greystones in 2022, when he was co-opted to fill a seat left by colleague Jodie Neary’s resignation.
He was then elected to retain that seat in the 2024 local elections.
Cllr Stokes also became a county councillor through co-opting in 2022, filling a seat left by the resignation of fellow independent Mags Crean, and was elected for the first time in 2024.
However, he had previously served on Greystones Town Council from 2009 to 2014. During this time he served as Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Greystones.
Across Wicklow’s five district councils, independents were elected chairs in Bray, Baltinglass and Arklow, reflecting strong non‑party representation in those areas.
Yet Fine Gael secured the vice‑chair positions in all three districts, as well as alongside Labour Party chair Cllr Paul O’Brien in Wicklow town and District, giving the party a significant presence at leadership tables, even where independents hold the chain of office.
At county level, the Social Democrats achieved an historic milestone with Caroline Winstanley elected as cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, after only two years in public office.
She became the party’s first chair of a county council, and is joined by Fine Gael’s Avril Cronin as leas cathaoirleach.