View source for Mayo County Council

{{Short description|Local authority for County Mayo, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox legislature
|name               = Mayo County Council
|native_name        = {{lang|ga|Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo}}
|coa_pic            = COA of County Mayo.png
|coa_res            = 90px
|logo_pic           = Mayo County Council.svg
|logo_res           = 260px
|house_type         = County council
|jurisdiction       = County Mayo
|body               = 
|motto              = {{langx|ga|Dia is Muire Linn}}<br/>"God and [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]] be with us"
|leader1_type       = [[Cathaoirleach (local government)|Cathaoirleach]]
|leader1            = John O'Hara
|party1             = [[Fine Gael|FG]]
|election1          =
|members            = 30
|structure1         = Mayo County Council composition.svg
|structure1_res     = 260px
|political_groups1  =
:{{Party index link|Fine Gael|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;(11)
:{{Party index link|Fianna Fáil|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;(10) 
:{{Party index link|Aontú|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;(1)
:{{Party index link|Independent Ireland|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;(1)
:{{Party index link|Sinn Féin|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;(1)
:{{Party index link|Independent politician (Ireland)|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;(6)
|last_election1     = [[2024 Mayo County Council election|7 June 2024]]
|session_room       = County Hall, Castlebar.jpg 
|session_res        = 
|meeting_place      = [[County Hall, Castlebar]]
|website            = {{official website}}
|footnotes          =
}}
[[File:Mayo in Ireland.svg|thumb|235px|The area governed by the council]]
'''Mayo County Council''' ({{langx|ga|Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo}}) is the [[local government in the Republic of Ireland|local authority]] of [[County Mayo]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. As a [[county council]], it is governed by the [[Local Government Act 2001]]. The council is responsible for [[housing]] and community, roads and [[transport]]ation, [[urban planning]] and development, amenity and [[culture]], and [[natural environment|environment]]. The council has 30 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by [[single transferable vote]]. The head of the council has the title of [[Cathaoirleach (local government)|Cathaoirleach]] (chairperson). The county administration is headed by a [[Chief executive (Irish local government)|chief executive]], Kevin Kelly. The [[county town]] is [[Castlebar]].

==History==
Originally meetings of Mayo County Council took place in [[Castlebar Courthouse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1982-05-26/121/|title=Local Authorities|date=26 May 1982|publisher=Oireachtas|accessdate=26 October 2019|archive-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026151235/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1982-05-26/121/|url-status=live}}</ref> The county council moved to modern facilities at [[County Hall, Castlebar|County Hall]] further west on The Mall in Castlebar in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mayoonline.ie/about-mayo/towns-of-mayo/castlebar.html|title=Castlebar|publisher=Mayo Online|accessdate=26 October 2019|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110140657/https://www.mayoonline.ie/about-mayo/towns-of-mayo/castlebar.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the early 1930s, the County Council was dissolved for a time and replaced with a Commissioner because of the [[Letitia Dunbar-Harrison|Mayo librarian controversy]].

==Regional Assembly==
Mayo County Council has two representatives on the [[Northern and Western Regional Assembly]] who are part of the [[West Region, Ireland|West Strategic Planning Area Committee]].<ref name=si573>{{cite ISB|year=2014|type=si|number=573|name=Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014|date=16 December 2014|access-date=18 April 2023|provision=Article 5 and Schedule 3}}</ref>

==Elections==
Members of Mayo County Council are elected for a five-year term of office on the [[electoral system]] of [[proportional representation]] by means of the [[single transferable vote]] (PR-STV) from multi-member [[local electoral area]]s (LEAs).

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; padding-left:1em"
!align="left"|Year
| {{abbrev party name with color|Fine Gael}}
| {{abbrev party name with color|Fianna Fáil}}
| {{abbrev party name with color|Sinn Féin}}
| {{abbrev party name with color|Aontú}}
| {{abbrev party name with color|Independent Ireland}}
| {{abbrev party name with color|Labour Party (Ireland)}}
| {{abbrev party name with color|Independent politician (Ireland)}}
!align="left"|Total
|-
|align=left|[[2024 Mayo County Council election|2024]]
|colspan=2|10
|colspan=2|10
|colspan=2|1
|colspan=2|1
|colspan=2|1
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|7
|30
|-
|align=left|[[2019 Mayo County Council election|2019]]
|colspan=2|12
|colspan=2|11
|colspan=2|1
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|6
|30
|-
|align=left|[[2014 Mayo County Council election|2014]]
|colspan=2|10
|colspan=2|10
|colspan=2|3
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|7
|30
|-
|align=left|[[2009 Mayo County Council election|2009]]
|colspan=2|17
|colspan=2|7
|colspan=2|2
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|5
|31
|-
|align=left|[[2004 Mayo County Council election|2004]]
|colspan=2|15
|colspan=2|12
|colspan=2|1
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2|1
|colspan=2|2
|31
|-
|align=left|[[1999 Mayo County Council election|1999]]
|colspan=2|13
|colspan=2|16
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2|1
|colspan=2|1
|31
|-
|align=left|[[1991 Mayo County Council election|1991]]
|colspan=2|13
|colspan=2|15
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2|1
|colspan=2|2
|31
|-
|align=left|[[1985 Mayo County Council election|1985]]
|colspan=2|14
|colspan=2|15
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|2
|31
|}

==Local electoral areas and municipal districts==
County Mayo is divided into LEAs and municipal districts, defined by [[electoral division (Ireland)|electoral division]]s.<ref>{{cite ISB|year=2018|type=si|num=627|title=County of Mayo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018|date=19 December 2018|access-date=8 September 2020|archive-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202212116/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/627/made/en/print}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Municipal District
!LEA
!Definition
!Seats
|-
|colspan=2|[[Ballina, County Mayo|Ballina]]||Ardagh, Ardnaree North, Ardnaree South Rural, Ardnaree South Urban, Attymass East, Attymass West, Ballina Rural, Ballina Urban, Ballycastle, Ballysakeery, Carrowmore, Crossmolina North, Crossmolina South, Deel, Derry, Fortland, Kilfian East, Kilfian South, Kilfian West, Kilgarvan, Killala, Lackan North, Lackan South, Mount Falcon, Rathoma, and Sallymount||6
|-
|colspan=2|[[Castlebar]]||Abhainn Bhrain, Addergoole, An Cheapaigh Dhuibh, Baile an Chalaidh, Baile Óbha, Balla, Ballinafad, Ballyhean, Ballynagoraher, Bellavary, Breaghwy, Burren, Burriscarra, Castlebar Rural (part), Castlebar Urban, Clogher (in the former Rural District of Castlebar), Cloonkeen, Croaghmoyle, Islandeady, Killavally, Letterbrick, Manulla, Partraí, Pontoon, Roslee, Strade, Tamhnaigh na Graí, and Turlough||7
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Claremorris]]||[[Claremorris]]||Ballindine, Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, Ballyhowly, Bekan, Caraun, Claremorris, Cloghermore, Cong, Coonard, Course, Crossboyne, Culnacleha, Dalgan, Garrymore, Hollymount, Houndswood, Kilcolman, Kilcommon, Kilmaine, Kilvine, Knock North, Knock South, Mayo, Murneen, Neale, Newbrook, Shrule and Tagheen||6
|-
|[[Swinford]]||Aghamore, Ballinamore, Bohola, Brackloon, Callow, Cloonmore, Coolnaha, Cuildoo, Doocastle, Kilbeagh, Kilkelly, Killedan, Kilmovee, Kiltamagh, Loughanboy, Meelick, Sonnagh, Sraheen, Swineford, Toocananagh, Toomore, Tumgesh and Urlaur||4
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Westport, County Mayo|Westport]]–[[Belmullet]]||[[Westport, County Mayo|Westport]]||Aghagower North, Aghagower South, Aillemore, Bundorragha, Clare Island, Clogher (in the former Rural District of Westport), Croaghpatrick, Derryloughan, Drummin, Emlagh, Erriff, Glenhest, Kilgeever, Kilmaclasser, Kilmeena, Kilsallagh, Knappagh, Louisburgh, Newport East, Owennadornaun, Slievemahanagh, Westport Rural and Westport Urban||4
|-
|[[Belmullet]]||Acaill, An Corrán, An Geata Mór Theas, An Geata Mór Thuaidh, Ballycroy North, Ballycroy South, Bangor, Barr Rúscaí, Béal an Mhuirthead, Béal Deirg Mór, Bunaveela, Cnoc an Daimh, Cnoc na Lobhar, Cnoc na Ráithe, Dumha Éige, Gleann Chaisil, Gleann na Muaidhe, Glenco, Guala Mhór, Moing na Bó, Na Monga, Newport West, Sheskin, Slievemore and Srahmore||3
|}

==Councillors==
The following were elected at the [[2024 Mayo County Council election]].
===2024 seats summary===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|- 
!colspan=2|Party
!Seats
|-
| {{party name with colour|Fianna Fáil}}
|align="center"|10
|-
| {{party name with colour|Fine Gael}}
|align="center"|10
|-
| {{party name with colour|Aontú}}
|align="center"|1
|-
| {{party name with colour|Independent Ireland}}
|align="center"|1
|-
| {{party name with colour|Sinn Féin}}
|align="center"|1
|-
| {{party name with colour|Independent politician (Ireland)}}
|align="center"|7
|}

===Councillors by electoral area===
This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/elections-2024/results/#/local/mayo-county |title=Mayo County Council – Elected Candidates|work=[[RTÉ News]]|access-date=20 June 2024}}</ref>
{{Multi seat members begin
|constituency = LEA
|title        = Council members from [[2024 Irish local elections|2024 election]]
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name    = [[Ballina, County Mayo|Ballina]]
|seats   = 6
|member1 = {{sortname|John|O'Hara|nolink=1}}
|party1  = Fine Gael
|member2 = {{sortname|Mark|Duffy|Mark Duffy (politician)}}{{efn|name=change|Changed party, see [[#Changes in affiliation|table]] below for details.}}{{efn|name=coopt}}
|party2  = Independent politician (Ireland) 
|member3 = {{sortname|Annie May|Reape|nolink=1}}
|party3  = Fianna Fáil
|member4 = {{sortname|Michael|Loftus|nolink=1}}
|party4  = Fianna Fáil
|member5 = {{sortname|Joe|Faughan|nolink=1}}
|party5  = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member6 = {{sortname|Jarlath|Munnelly|nolink=1}}
|party6  = Fine Gael
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name    = [[Belmullet]]
|seats   = 3
|member1 = {{sortname|Paul|McNamara|nolink=1}}
|party1  = Fianna Fáil
|member2 = {{sortname|Gerry|Coyle|nolink=1}}
|party2  = Fine Gael
|member3 = {{sortname|Seán|Carey|nolink=1}}
|party3  = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name    = [[Castlebar]]
|seats   = 7
|member1 = {{sortname|Michael|Kilcoyne|nolink=1}}
|party1  = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member2 = {{sortname|Ger|Deere|nolink=1}}
|party2  = Fine Gael
|member3 = {{sortname|Blackie|Gavin|nolink=1}}
|party3  = Fianna Fáil
|member4 = {{sortname|Al|McDonnell|nolink=1}}
|party4  = Fianna Fáil
|member5 = {{sortname|Cyril|Burke|nolink=1}}
|party5  = Fine Gael
|member6 = {{sortname|Donna|Sheridan|nolink=1}}
|party6  = Fine Gael
|member7 = {{sortname|Harry|Barrett|nolink=1}}
|party7  = Independent politician (Ireland)
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name    = [[Claremorris]]
|seats   = 6
|member1 = {{sortname|Patsy|O'Brien|nolink=1}}
|party1  = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member2 = {{sortname|Richard|Finn|nolink=1}}
|party2  = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member3 = {{sortname|Damien|Ryan|nolink=1}}
|party3  = Fianna Fáil
|member4 = {{sortname|Alma|Gallagher|nolink=1}}
|party4  = Fine Gael
|member5 = {{sortname|Michael|Burke|nolink=1}}
|party5  = Fine Gael
|member6 = {{sortname|Paul|Lawless|Paul Lawless (politician)}}{{efn|name=coopt|Replaced during term, see [[#Co-options|table]] below for details.}}
|party6  = Aontú
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name    = [[Swinford]]
|seats   = 4
|member1 = {{sortname|Gerry|Murray|nolink=1}}
|party1  = Sinn Féin
|member2 = {{sortname|Adrian|Forkan|nolink=1}}
|party2  = Fianna Fáil
|member3 = {{sortname|John|Caulfield|nolink=1}}
|party3  = Fianna Fáil
|member4 = {{sortname|Neil|Cruise|nolink=1}}
|party4  = Fine Gael
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name    = [[Westport, County Mayo|Westport]]
|seats   = 4
|member1 = {{sortname|Chris|Maxwell|nolink=1}}
|party1  = Independent Ireland
|member2 = {{sortname|Peter|Flynn|nolink=1}}
|party2  = Fine Gael
|member3 = {{sortname|John|O'Malley|nolink=1}}
|party3  = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member4 = {{sortname|Brendan|Mulroy|nolink=1}}
|party4  = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{end}}

;Notes
{{notelist}}

====Co-options====
{{Council co-option begin}}
{{Council co-option
|party     = Aontú
|outgoing  = [[Paul Lawless (politician)|Paul Lawless]]
|elec_area = Claremorris
|reason    = Elected to the [[34th Dáil]] at the [[2024 Irish general election|2024 general election]]
|date      = 2 January 2025
|cooptee   = Deirdre Lawless<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGovern |first1=Oisin |title=Sister of Paul Lawless to replace Aontú TD on Mayo County Council |url=https://www.mayonews.ie/news/local-news/1693117/sister-of-paul-lawless-to-replace-aontu-td-on-mayo-county-council.html |access-date=3 January 2025 |agency=Mayo Live |date=2 January 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{Council co-option
|party     = Fine Gael
|outgoing  = [[Mark Duffy (politician)|Mark Duffy]]
|elec_area = Ballina
|reason    = Elected to the [[27th Seanad]] at the [[2025 Seanad election]]
|date      = 30 January 2025
|cooptee   = Marie-Thérése Duffy<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mayonews.ie/news/ballina/1750070/ballina-independent-replaces-fine-gael-brother-on-mayo-county-council.html|title=Ballina Independent replaces Fine Gael brother on Mayo County Council|work=mayonews.ie|date=10 March 2025|access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{end}}

====Changes in affiliation====
{{Council change affiliation begin}}
{{Council change affiliation
|name      = [[Mark Duffy (politician)|Mark Duffy]]
|elec_area = Ballina
|old_party = Independent politician (Ireland)
|new_party = Fine Gael
|date      = 10 October 2024<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Emma |title=Independent Mayo Councillor joins Fine Gael with intention to run in general election |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/mayo/news/independent-mayo-councillor-joins-fine-gael-with-intention-to-run-in-general-election/a875058393.html |access-date=11 October 2024 |agency=Irish Independent |date=10 October 2024}}</ref>}}
{{end}}

==Assessment==
Mayo County Council was identified in 2011 by [[An Taisce]], the national trust, as among the worst county councils in Ireland's planning system during the 2000–2011 period.

County councils in Ireland were assessed by the organisation in relation to overzoning; decisions reversed by [[An Bord Pleanála]] after being passed by a local authority; percentage of vacant housing stock; and percentage of one-off houses permitted. An Taisce's report of its findings described the results as "stark and troubling".

In Mayo, many council planning decisions were overturned because the council violated its own County Development Plan. Overdevelopment in Mayo was another problem identified, with too many vacant houses in the county (not inclusive of holiday homes). A spokesman for An Taisce commented, "Mayo didn't do well on one-off houses either. What a lot of local authorities don't seem to appreciate is that it is more expensive to provide infrastructure to one-off houses in the countryside than it is to do so to estates."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15114:mayo-planning-among-worst-in-country&catid=23:news&Itemid=46|title=Mayo planning among worst in country|work=The Mayo News|date=17 April 2011|access-date=18 April 2012|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221184251/http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15114:mayo-planning-among-worst-in-country&catid=23:news&Itemid=46|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website}}

{{Mayo County Council elections}}
{{Local government in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Politics of County Mayo]]
[[Category:County councils in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Mayo County Council| ]]