‘Younger councillors know what our generation want’ – How 11 new councillors are changing Wicklow politics
The Wicklow PeopleIt’s over a year now since the election of 11 new candidates resulted in a major shake-up in the makeup of Wicklow County Council.
With a mixture of old heads on young shoulders and vastly experienced community volunteers throwing their hats into the political ring for the first time, the newly elected Wicklow County Council members have been sharing their views on life inside and outside the council chamber after they were elected.
Claiming over a third of the 32 seats available, the Garden County’s new councillors represent a broad spectrum of both party and non-party candidates, with three Independents, two Social Democrats, four from Fine Gael and one from Sinn Féin and Independent Ireland.
Since Cllr Rory O’Connor decided to leave his seat in the Bray Municipal District before polling day last year, Cllr Peter Stapleton now has the honour of being the youngest elected member of the local authority.
As he reflected on a whirlwind campaign at the forefront of the 28-year-old’s thoughts was the “invaluable” impact of retiring Fine Gael councillor and mentor Vincent Blake.
“Vincent was an ongoing support to me. Politics is a team game, and the learning curve has been steep. He showed me how to be most effective in helping your constituents.
"I’m naturally a curious person. I’m not afraid to question management and call out things. That part of the role is something I enjoy.”
Peter spent time abroad, in London, where his work focused on investments in the renewable energy, healthcare and education industries. He returned to Ireland to manage his family’s Wicklow-based, interior landscaping business.
“When I came back to Ireland, I started having conversations about what is involved with running for election. I always had an interest in politics and looking back at the campaign, it was very intense, but I didn’t feel I was in competition with anybody but myself.
“I’m aware that there are others who mourn the state of local politics in Ireland and how things are run. The thing is, I don’t know any different, this is the way it is, and I try to work to my best ability within that framework.”
When asked about how he has settled into the role, Peter says it’s important to keep yourself busy and preoccupied.
“This is one job where you’re not subject to a regular performance review. If the phone stops ringing, that’s when you know things aren’t going well.
“I’ve often wondered what would happen if a full council audit would take place at the end of the council term to see what has been achieved.”
Joining Cllr Stapleton in his new role with Wicklow County Council was Blessington Tidy Towns chairman Jason Mulhall, who proved to be one of the surprise election victories, with the dedicated local volunteer running a successful campaign just weeks before the vote.
Following his election at the expense of Social Democrat Deirdre McCormack, Cllr Mulhall believes his deep-rooted connections at both ends of the Baltinglass district, and strategically placed posters, helped him get over the line.
“Patience is very important being a councillor, things move very slowly, I’ve had to learn to follow the process. In an ideal world the issues would be dealt with very quickly. The simplest of things can take the longest time.
“There is a level of comfort knowing I’m part of a group of first-time councillors. We have had the opportunity to share notes and suggestions with each other and relationships have been formed.
“The first-timer badge has faded away. The focus has turned to getting things done.”
The Social Democrats are now the second largest party in the council chamber, with Danny Alvey taking a seat in the Wicklow district.
Best known for his work planting trees and restoring the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains via ReWild Wicklow, the father-of-two said he made an instant connection with voters who could relate to a young family man trying to make his mark on the community.
“I think there was a real conscious effort that the public elected younger councillors because they wanted to see themselves represented.
“Younger councillors like me are conscious of where our generation stand, they know what they want. They have questioned current models in place within the council chamber about housing, special needs and disability issues.
“In the chamber, many councillors have their own distinctive views and interests in various subjects. It’s often better to leave party politics aside and work together. I’ve found you need to stand up for what you believe in.”
His party colleague in Bray, Caroline Winstanley, a trained speech and language therapist who has worked widely in the disability sector says she became an “accidental politician”.
“So much of a councillor’s job is done quietly. We sit on a lot of boards and committees, which can take up a lot of time. People don’t necessarily see that work being done.”
Caroline says one of the most frustrating things about the role is knowing that there will never be enough money to get projects over the line.
“All that money is managed by central government. Before taking this role, I didn’t fully appreciate how little power councillors have. A large part of the role is advocating for issues that need to be raised, or problems, or concerns that need to be addressed.”
Caroline is one of three councillors in Bray who passed the post on their first foray into local politics.
Barrister and human rights lawyer Malachaí Duddy missed out by just one vote in the 2019 local elections. That made him even more determined to run for local office. Since his election in June 2024, crime, tackling anti-social activity, housing and the dilapidation of Bray Main Street have been high on his list of priorities.
From a well-known and respected local family that first came to Bray almost 110 years ago, Cllr Duddy has been active in the local community over many years.
Meanwhile, Ian Neary was also elected as a first-time candidate in Bray in 2024. Ian has highlighted a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for residents in the town and a long track record of community involvement. A year into this council term, his goal remains to bring a fresh perspective and a passion for positive change to the local political arena.
Orla Finn, a board member of Wicklow Dementia Support and co-founder and chairperson of the North Wicklow Women’s Shed, like Malachai was one of several independent candidates elected to the council.
Attributing her election to the 20 years she has spent working voluntarily in the community and carrying out charitable work, Cllr Finn says the local community in Greystones have provided her with great support.
“Politics should reflect the communities that we represent and that is why I think it is so important to go out and meet people on their doorsteps.
“It’s a great way of understanding what is going on in people’s lives and what issues they are interested in or struggling with.”
Orla says she was well equipped to hit the ground running.
“I already knew a lot of my council colleagues from projects we had previously worked on together.”
Asked about the public perception of what county councillors do, Orla says there are some misconceptions.
“I think people think that we can get things done immediately – which is just not the case. Lots of projects take time and can be dependent on several things including finance and manpower.
“People also misunderstand that policy issues are nearly always the sole preserve of central government.
“I think that is fair to say that as councillors we don’t always agree on all of the issues, but we do respect and value each other’s opinions.”
Orla and Louise Fenelon Gaskin were the two most recently elected councillors in the Greystones Municipal District.
Having lived in the area throughout her life, Louise has strong connections with Greystones, Kilcoole, Delgany, Newcastle, and Newtownmountkennedy.
Her key role in setting up the East Wicklow Business Network has allowed her to keep in touch with those local communities.
Warren O’Toole, Arklow’s newest elected representative, sees himself more as a community activist, and not a politician.
“People are there for career politics, which can lead to a lack of foresight on certain issues. If people want to do things for the community, then it is for the greater good.
“At local level, you hear from a variety of people who have a range of different interests, you want to treat each issue with care and respect.”
Warren is one of two Sinn Féin councillors to secure a seat in Wicklow, alongside Dermot Daisy O’Brien in Bray West.
“I’ve been involved with the party since I was a teenager, and I’ve had an interest in politics for most of my life,” said Warren.
“I’ve found my first year on the job to be very rewarding. It’s always encouraging to receive support from people, even from those who didn’t vote for me.
“I’m still learning every day, but the staff within the council have been very supportive to all the first-time councillors in helping us find our feet.
“The workload is so vast, and you learn quickly that things move very slowly. The lack of funding from central government dictates a lot, which is frustrating, considering Arklow can be overlooked on a regular basis. The town is suffering from a lack of vision and ambition.”
Living and working in Wicklow town, Graham Richmond is in somewhat of an enviable position, having two of his workplaces across the road from each other.
Graham is a secondary school teacher “and rugby coach in East Glendalough School, which overlooks County Buildings on Station Road”.
“Balancing my teaching career and councillor duties can be a challenge. Despite that, I’m lucky in that I can walk across the road on my lunch break and speak to the large volume of very helpful council staff if I need something clarified or explained.”
Graham believes working together with his colleagues is the best way to get work done.
“Party politics in my opinion plays more of a role at full council level, national issues come to the fore at meetings which can overshadow the work of council.
“I think it’s important to take my life experiences and channel it into my work, I’ve learnt what to prioritise, and knowing when to say no to certain things.
“Despite the town not having a TD, we’re dealing with a massive growth in population and demand for better services. We hear from a lot of people who can get frustrated by soundbites.”
Graham saw first-hand what life in politics can be like through his brother Neale, who is currently a junior minister in the government.
“I think as councillors our role is to try and help people as much as is humanly possible.
“Wicklow deserves the status of a county town with the proper facilities. We are here doing things for the longevity that will benefit those in the future coming behind us.”
Only a year into the job, Graham was elected Cathaoirleach of the Wicklow Municipal District, a role he takes very seriously.
“I always have the chain in my glove compartment, just in case someone needs a photo taken,” he admitted.
“I try to give the role the respect it deserves. You need to make sure the meetings are being chaired fairly.”
Graham also enjoys the benefit of having his Fine Gael party colleague Shane Langrell being part of the makeup of the Wicklow district.
Shane devoted 12 years to the Roundwood AFC committee, serving as chairperson for seven years and contributing to the club's developmental initiatives.
In addition, Shane participated in leadership, committee, and fundraising activities with An Tochar Ladies’ and Men’s GAA. He also served as the Ladies GAA chairperson for three years.
Shane put himself forward as a proud Wicklow man who cares deeply about his community’s well-being and his dedicated commitment to serve for the greater good is as strong now as it was a year ago.