Press release
Inclusion inspires new painting marking the role of women in local politics
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Today (5 March 2024) in the Custom House, Dublin, the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Mr Kieran O’Donnell T.D., unveiled a new work by artist and former Leitrim County Councillor, Sinéad Guckian, as part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s International Women’s Day celebrations.
The 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, to visually highlight the enduring inequalities in local politics. Ms. Guckian’s work intends to both capture the enthusiasm and accomplishments of the 2023 events, as well as to stand in lasting recognition of the work of both the Caucus and the Department in furthering the cause of women in local government.
The artist was selected by the caucus as a former Councillor of Leitrim County Council, with personal insight into the experience of women in Irish local government. Sinéad Guckian is also no stranger to displaying her work in prestigious public spaces - a portrait by the artist of Elizabeth O’Farrell during the 1916 surrender hangs in the Seanad chamber.
Chair of the WoMeN’s Regional Caucus, Cllr. Carmel Brady said:
“The decision to commission this artwork arose from a shared aspiration to establish an enduring symbol reflecting the values and aims of the WoMeN's Regional Caucus. The work was also commissioned in response to the Caucus’ International Women’s Day events last year which saw our member councils host events to reverse the gender of our council chambers, to visually highlight the enduring inequalities in local politics.
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."
Speaking at the event, the Minister said:
“This piece of art embodies the idea of ‘Inspire Inclusion’, the theme of International Women’s Day 2024 and indeed the work my Department and I have undertaken in recent years to encourage greater 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 supports provided last year.
“I hope that, through our collective efforts, we can all “Inspire Inclusion”, and hopefully see more women on the ballot paper this coming June and many more women taking their rightful places in our council chambers.”
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, along with other 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.