Some 80 Fine Gael supporters gathered recently to celebrate the party’s historic win of five seats by women candidates in the recent local elections for the Kilkenny County Council.
This well attended event was hosted by the five successful candidates in Zuni on Patrick street. The packed room was welcomed by former mayor and new county councillor Betty Manning. The celebratory atmosphere continued throughout the entire event as Fine Gael supporters had an opportunity to meet their council team as a group for the first time.
Although the event was primarily a party social gathering, leader of the Fine Gael Council group, Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh gave a brief history of women in Kilkenny politics over the years recalling former mayor Margaret Tynan and Fine Gael trail blazers Monica Barnes and the late Nuala Fennell. All five councillors thanked the party for their support for them in the recent elections. Cllr Catherine Connery pointed out the difficulties that the current political system posed for women. She proposed that consideration should be given to a quota system to address the gender imbalance in politics.
Cllr Ann Marie Irish spoke of the councillors’ delight at being honoured by the women of Fine Gael while she suggested that organisers might consider holding the event in the south of the county next year. Cllr Fidelis Doherty acknowledged the presence of former councillors Carmel Boyd and Catherine Phelan while thanking longstanding party director of elections, Una Hughes for her huge contribution to Fine Gael over the years.
Senator John Paul Phelan spoke of the role of women at European level including the German chancellor Angela Merkel and the new prime minister of Iceland. Spot prizes of gifts donated by the councillors and Senator Phelan rounded off a very enjoyable gathering.
