The election in the Athlone Municipal District is sure to be an interesting one.
It is an area with significant contrasts — from the industrial and residential area of Monksland-Bellanamullia, to small rural villages, to the agricultural heartlands, and the candidates will have to get votes in all of them.
Concerns about housing, the cost-of-living and the challenges facing farmers are all coming up on the doorsteps.
The ongoing flooding at Lough Funshinagh is also a major problem.
With 10 candidates — including five sitting councillors — going forward, it could give more than a little drama. Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, and Fianna Fáil are each running two candidates, hoping to maximise their presence in the district and in the council.
However, with strong Independent candidates like Tony Ward, who topped the poll on the last occasion, Laurence Fallon, and Emer Kelly, they will have their work cut out. Newcomer and Independent Dominic Naughton will be also hoping to secure a seat.
This will be sitting councillor Emer Kelly’s first local election, as she was co-opted in May 2021 following the resignation of Ivan Connaughton.
In the 2014-2019 term, Fianna Fáil went from having three sitting councillors to just one — councillor John Keogh — with two leaving the party and becoming independent. The party will hope to claim two seats.
Fine Gael will also hope that stalwart performer John Naughten and Domnick Connolly will be elected.
Sinn Féin’s Joe Harney, who contested the 2019 election, and 18-year-old Sam Brooks will be hoping to echo in South Roscommon’s Claire Kerrane’s 2020 Dáil victory.
One area that could prove very interesting is the battle between Domnick Connolly and Fianna Fáil’s James Murray.
With Fuerty and Athleague being cheek by jowl, it has the makings of a close race.
The ten candidates running in the Athlone Local Electoral Area.
