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An Cathaoirleach

Office of An Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council

An Cathaoirleach is the First Citizen of the County, taking precedence over all others, except the President, when attending events or functions within County Wicklow.

An Cathaoirleach is elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) every June and serves for a one year term. The responsibilities of An Cathaoirleach include the following:

  • Chairing of Council Meetings
  •  Representing the Council at local, national and international events
  • Bestowing Civic Honours on groups and citizens within the County
  • Bestowing the Freedom of the County

An Leas-Cathaoirleach is also elected at the Council AGM every June. They deputise for An Cathaoirleach in the event that they are unable to attend a meeting or event.

Current Office Holder

Councillor Aoife Flynn Kennedy was elected Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council at the Council’s AGM held on June 19th, 2023. Councillor Flynn Kennedy, a representative of the Fine Gael Party, was first elected to Wicklow County Council in 2019 to represent the people of Wicklow and Bray Municipal District.  

Councillor Flynn Kennedy has had a diverse career to date, currently working in the housing sector, specifically Age Friendly Social Housing; she previously worked in the disability sector for seven years.  She has also worked in three local authorities in many areas such as housing, community, events, accessibility, equality, and disability.

She is passionate about her community and has always played an active role in local groups such as Guides, Scouts and Tidy Towns.  She previously held the role (for three years) of Chairperson of the East Coast Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force, which does fantastic work to support individuals and families dealing with addiction.  Currently she is Chairperson of a local charity, Ark Housing Association and actively involved in working on Bray becoming the next Autism Friendly Town. 

The current Leas-Cathaoirleach is Councillor Gail Dunne, a member of the Fianna Fáil party and Councillor for the Wicklow Municipal District.

Photo of Councillor Aoife Flynn Kennedy

Invitations to events

Representation by the Cathaoirleach at events outside of Wicklow County Council (Civic Receptions/ Official Openings / Unveilings by Wicklow County Council or at Municipal Districts/ Outside Events)

Email: Cathaoirleachevents@wicklowcoco.ie  

  • The Cathaoirleach, or his/her deputy, is the representative of Wicklow County Council at all Civic Receptions.
  • The Cathaoirleach, or his/her deputy, is the representative of Wicklow County Council at all official openings of nationally funded projects and events taking place in the County.
  • The Cathaoirleach, or his/her deputy, is the representative of Wicklow County Council at National Launches.
  • The Cathaoirleach of the respective Municipal District, or his/her deputy, may represent the Municipal District to acknowledge achievements in sporting, cultural, academic, scientific, political achievements in their Municipal District area when presenting a Scroll of Civic Achievement or a Scroll of Recognition following prior consultation and agreement with the Cathaoirleach of the Council.
  • The Cathaoirleach of the respective Municipal District, or his/her deputy, may represent the Municipal District at official openings of locally funded projects and events taking place in their Municipal District area, following prior consultation and agreement with the Cathaoirleach of the Council.
  • In the event that the Cathaoirleach or his/her Leas-Cathaoirleach is unavailable to officiate at an official event the Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District in which the event is to take place, or his/her deputy, may represent Wicklow County Council at such an event.
  • The Chain of Office will be worn at Civic Receptions / conferral of civic honours/Special events/ other official receptions/events in which the Cathaoirleach  is invited to attend or by the Leas Cathaoirleach in his/her absence.   The Cathaoirleach of the relevant Municipal District when present shall also wear the chain of office.