Leitrim artist painting inspires inclusion to mark the role of women in local politics

The Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Mr Kieran O'Donnell TD, unveiled in the Custom House yesterday a new work by artist and former Fianna Fail Leitrim County Councillor Sinéad Guckian as part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's International Women's Day celebrations.

Sinéad is from Drumsna and her painting was commissioned by the Department-supported WoMeN's Regional Caucus, a group of 13 constituent member local authorities where there are insufficient numbers of women councillors to form a meaningful caucus at the county level.

The work was commissioned in response to the Caucus' International Women's Day events last year, which saw the member councils host events to reverse the gender of their chambers, visually highlighting the enduring inequalities in local politics.

Sinéad's work intends to capture the enthusiasm and accomplishments of the 2023 events and stand in lasting recognition of the work of the Caucus and the Department in furthering the cause of women in local government.

The caucus selected the artist as a former Councillor of Leitrim County Council, with personal insight into the experience of women in Irish local government.

She is also no stranger to displaying her work in prestigious public spaces - a portrait by the artist Elizabeth O'Farrell during the 1916 surrender hangs in the Seanad chamber.

Pictured: Fiona Quinn, Assistant Secretary for Local Government, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Councillor Carmel Brady Chair of the WoMeN’s Regional Caucus; Artist and former Leitrim Co Councillor Sinead Guckian; Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning Kieran O’Donnell TD

Chair of the WoMeN's Regional Caucus, Cllr. Carmel Brady said: "We are the first of our kind in Ireland, and we stand united in our commitment to seeing more women leaders in our local government system."

"As women in politics, we understand the challenges and barriers that exist for aspiring female leaders. Through the unveiling of this artwork, we hope to spark conversations, challenge norms, and ultimately encourage more women to step forward and make their voices heard in local decision-making," Cllr. Carmel Brady added.

Speaking at the event, Mr Kieran O'Donnell TD said the piece of art embodies the idea of 'Inspire Inclusion', which is the theme of International Women's Day 2024, which encourages the inclusion of women in local government.

"There is still an underrepresentation of women and people of diversity in council chambers across the country, which does not reflect the rich makeup of our modern country. However, we have worked hard in recent years to encourage greater participation of women and those from diverse backgrounds in local politics.

"We want to make the role of councillor more accessible for all, and to reduce the barriers to participation in local government through initiatives funded by my Department and new measures such as the introduction of maternity leave for councillors in 2022 and additional administrative maternity support provided last year," she said.

Today's unveiling follows significant funding announcements late last year, including a combined €435,000 allocated to political parties and local authorities to encourage greater participation of women and those from diverse groups in local politics. These measures aimed at making the role of the councillor more accessible and sustainable.

The public will be able to view the painting in the Custom House Visitor Centre in the coming months.

The WoMeN's Regional Caucus includes representatives from Cavan, Donegal, Galway City, Galway County, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Offaly, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, and Westmeath.