Just two women from across the entire of the county may make it onto Donegal’s 37 seat county council.
Only the 100% Redress candidate Joy Beard and sitting councillor Niamh Kennedy stand any chance of becoming a female voice on the council.
First-timer Beard has tallied very well in Inishowen and looks in a strong position to take a seat for the first time.
Sitting independent councillor Niamh Kennedy will have to fight all the way if she is to hold onto her seat in the Donegal Constituency.
A total of just 19 of the 91 candidates for the 2024 local elections in Donegal are women.
A total of four councillors elected in the 2019 were female.
But that number will at least half if tally figures are correct for the 2024 election.
The passing of Fianna Fáil Councillor Noreen McGarvey, the resignation of Sinn Féin’s Marie Therese Gallagher and the decision by Rena Donaghey not to seek re-election, meant that Niamh Kennedy was the only sitting councillor seeking re-election after the term of the last council expired.
Just 12 women have served as Donegal County Councillors with Independent Fianna Fáil candidate Susan McGonagle becoming Donegal’s first female councillor 45 years ago.
