Roscommon councillor elected as Cathaoirleach of Northern and Western Regional Assembly

Roscommon County Councillor Michéal Frain has been elected as Cathaoirleach of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly for the 2025-2026 term.

The Independent councillor from Ballaghaderreen, who represents the Boyle Municipal District,  said: "I'm delighted to have been elected to the role as Cathaoirleach of the NWRA at this time. It is particularly of personal importance to me as I'm the first councillor to be elected from the Assembly's home base of Ballaghaderreen".

Speaking at the assembly's AGM on Friday, Conall McGettigan, Acting Director at the Assembly said: "I look forward to working with Cllr Frain as Cathaoirleach and Cllr Eileen Mannion as Leas-Chathaoirleach during what promises to be a busy year. One of the key priorities is the commencement of the review of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES). The Assembly will also continue to invest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) resources into the Region and continue to engage with stakeholders and the public through EU-funded projects, publications, and events."

Outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Jarlath Munnelly thanked Assembly members and staff for their support during his term. He highlighted the breakfast briefing with Oireachtas members in Dublin—where 33 infrastructure priorities for the region were presented by members and staff as part of the National Development Plan review—as a standout moment of his tenure.

During the AGM, councillors expressed their appreciation for Cllr Munnelly’s dedication, fairness, and pragmatic leadership throughout his term as Chair.