By Dan Walsh at the annual meeting of Wexford County Council
Long serving Cllr Lisa McDonald (Fianna Fáil) has been elected Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council at the annual meeting held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Wexford, on Friday afternoon.
Cllr McDonald, proposed by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy (Fianna Fail) and seconded by Cllr Ger Carthy (Independent) defeated Cllr Pat Barden (Independent) proposed by Cllr Paddy Kavanagh (Independent) and seconded by Cllr Tom Forde (Sinn Fein), 22 votes to 12.
A native of Piercestown living in Murrintown, Cllr Lisa McDonald runs a solicitors practice in Wexford town and was first elected to Wexford County Council in 2004.
She contested the 2007 General Election receiving 6,400 first preference votes. She served in Seanad Éireann from 2007 to 2011 after which she took a sabbatical from politics to build her business and rear her young children.
She was co-opted to Wexford County Council in July 2016 and has been re-elected every time since.
Cllr McDonald thanked her “wonderful group of supporters” and said she was “absolutely delighted” at becoming Cathaoirleach.
Cllr McDonald named a number of her priorities but outlined that “delivery matters – people want action and not words – our strength is in our communities. “I will promote Wexford as the best place to work rest and play, and we have to work and challenge to deliver,” concluded Cllr McDonald.
Cllr Bridín Murphy (Fine Gael) proposed by Cllr Trish Byrne (Fine Gael) and seconded by Cllr John Fleming, a Fianna Fail ‘neighbour and friend’ was elected Leas-Cathaoirleach. Cllr Murphy defeated Cllr AoifeRose O’Brien (Sinn Fein) proposed by Cllr Jim Codd (Independent) and seconded by Cllr John Dwyer (Independent); 20 votes to 13.
It was pointed out that this is the first time ever that the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Cathaoirlech are both women and with Cllr Mary Farrell elected in Gorey Kilmuckridge District the Women’s Coalition are celebrating a victory and Cllr Murphy concluded; “We are deeply honoured.”
Incidentally, Cllr McDonald is only the fourth woman to hold the position of Cathaoirleach – others were the late Anna Fenlon, Kathleen Codd-Nolan and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy.
Tributes were paid by fellow councillors and officials.
Attendance at the meeting included Minister James Browne TD, Deputies George Lawlor, Malcolm Byrne and Brian Brennan (via zoom), Senator Cathal Byrne, former TDs Tony Dempsey and Hugh Byrne, former Cllr Willie Kavanagh, Cllr McDonald’s husband Richard Simpson, their children -Cormac and Caragh – prents Eddie and Marjorie McDonald, friends, neighbours and supporters.
Outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Sullivan said he was elected on June 23rd, 2025; “It was a position I enjoyed and discharged with the best of my ability” and then he went on to highlight events that made the term memorable for him.
Like, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann which took place in Wexford over the first week of August 2025 was very successful and a credit to Wexford County Council for their level of organisation and Wexford Festival Opera 2025.
Other highlights included securing of lands at Ballynagee, Wexford, for the provision of a third level campus and other educational facilities. The ongoing development of Rosslare Europort progress being made with the Oylegate to Rosslare Motorway and the Kennedy Summer School that attracted the very best in Irish and international political, arts, sporting and cultural figures to New Ross to give their views across a whole series of issues affecting modern Ireland and the World.
“In March 2026, I was happy and honoured to lead the Wexford Delegation to Savannah, Georgia to celebrate St Patricks Day with the Wexford diaspora there,” said Cllr Sullivan, who added; “These are just some of the highlights of a busy and fulfilling term of office. I would like to pay tribute to the executive of Wexford County Council who guided me through the role of Cathaoirleach.
He thanked Eamonn Hore: Director of Services for Roads and Environment; Carolyne Godkin: Director of Services for Housing; Liz Hore: Director of Services for Planning, Senior planner, Diarmuid Houston and Lynda Lacey: Director of Finance who oversees a budget for 2026 of €183.7 million and Alan Quirke: Director of Services for Special Projects and HR is the newest member of the executive and is making his mark in the delivery of special projects countywide. Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe and County Secretary, Michael Drea were also acknowledged.
“In conclusion, I would like to thank my fellow councillors. It would be remiss of me not to mention the challenges to my position and authority”, said Cllr Sullivan who concluded; “Thanks again to those who supported me and made the position of Cathaoirleach enjoyable and fulfilling and I was honoured to serve the people of Wexford for the past year.”
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