Kerry County Council Explained

Kerry County Council
Native Name:Irish: Comhairle Contae Chiarraí
Coa Pic:County Kerry Coat of Arms.png
House Type:County council
Jurisdiction:County Kerry
Motto:
"Co-operation, Help, Friendship"
Leader1 Type:Cathaoirleach
Leader1:Breandán Fitzgerald
Party1:FF
Members:33
Structure1:Kerry County Council composition.svg
Structure1 Res:300px
Political Groups1:

 (9)

 (6)

 (4)

 (2)

 (1)

 (11)

Last Election1:7 June 2024
Session Room:Water Services and Motor Tax Offices - geograph.org.uk - 491745.jpg
Meeting Place:Áras an Chontae, Rathass, Tralee
(The image shows the new building accommodating Housing Department staff on the south east corner of the County Hall site)

Kerry County Council (Irish: Comhairle Contae Chiarraí) is the local authority of County Kerry, Ireland. As a county council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The council has 33 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach (chairperson).[1] Since 21 June 2024, Breandán Fitzgerald of Fianna Fáil has served in the role.[2] The county administration is headed by a chief executive, Moira Murrell. The county town is Tralee.[3]

History

1898 to 1922

Kerry County Council was established on 1 April 1899 for the administrative county of County Kerry under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, legislation passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, of which Ireland formed a part at that time.[4] [5] [6] The 1898 Act introduced elected county councils to Ireland, following their establishment in England and Wales in 1889 and Scotland in 1890.[7] The first election was held on 6 April 1899, and the council first met on 22 April. The first council had 30 members. Of these, 22 were directly elected for single-member county electoral divisions. The remainder of the council consisted of the chairmen of the 6 rural district councils, who were Latin: [[ex officio]] members, and an additional 2 members who were chosen by co-option.[7] The council initially met in the former Grand Jury room of the Tralee Courthouse in Nelson Street (now Ashe Street), and elections of the entire council were held every three years.[7]

In January 1910 the council moved its headquarters to a purpose-built county hall on Godfrey Place. The method of election was changed to proportional representation under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1919, with the first elections under the new system held on 2 June 1920. The election took place during the Irish War of Independence, and control of the council was won by Sinn Féin.[8] The building was set on fire by British Black and Tans during the Siege of Tralee of November 1920.[9]

Post-independence

Following the independence of the Irish Free State in 1922, responsibility for local government was taken by the new government.

During the Irish Civil War, the government used its powers to dissolve the council in May 1923, with a commissioner appointed to conduct the business of the council. A new council was elected in May 1926.[7] The council moved to new premises, the Ashe Memorial Hall, Denny Street, Tralee in March 1928.[7] In September 1930 the council was again dissolved and a commissioner appointed. Following the election of a Fianna Fáil government, the Councillors displaced in 1930 were restored to office in May 1932.[7]

In 1942 the number of Councillors was reduced from 30 to 26. At the same time, the county management system was introduced.[7] The council was again dissolved in May 1945, with elections resuming in October 1948. In 1953 the term of office for councillors was increased from 3 to 5 years, and in 1985 the number of Councillors was increased to 27.[7] [10] In January 1989 the council moved to Áras an Chontae, Rathass.[7]

The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment.[11]

Regional Assembly

Kerry County Council has two representatives on the Southern Regional Assembly who are part of the South-West Strategic Planning Area Committee.[12]

Elections

Members of Kerry County Council are elected for a five-year term of office on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV) from multi-member local electoral areas (LEAs).

YearTotal
2024964211133
2019107421933
201499521733
2009710241327
2004118221327
1999126131427
199113704327
198513703427
197914712226

Local electoral areas and municipal districts

County Kerry is divided into LEAs and municipal districts, defined by electoral divisions.

Municipal DistrictLEADefinitionSeats
Corca Dhuibhne–CastleislandCorca DhuibhneAn Baile Dubh (in the former Rural District of Dingle), An Clochán, An Daingean, An Mhin Aird, An Sráidbhaile, Ballinvoher, Ballynacourty, Boolteens, Castlegregory, Cé Bhréanainn, Ceann Trá, Cill Chuáin, Cill Maoilchéadair, Cinn Aird, Deelis, Dún Chaoin, Dún Urlann, Inch, Kilgarrylander, Kilgobban, Kiltallagh, Knockglass, Lack, Márthain, Milltown and Na Gleannta.3
CastleislandArabela, Ballyegan (in the former Rural District of Tralee), Brosna, Carker, Castleisland, Coom, Cordal, Crinny, Currans, Derreen, Gneeves, Kilfelim, Killeentierna, Kilmurry, Kilnanare, Kilshenane, Knocknagashel, Lackabaun, Millbrook, Molahiffe, Mount Eagle, Nohaval, OBrennan and Scartaglin.4
KenmareAn Baile Breac, An tImleach, Ardea, Baile an Sceilg, Banawn, Caher, Cappagh, Caragh, Castlecove, Castlequin, Cathair Dónall, Ceannúigh, Churchtown, Cloon, Curraghbeg, Curraghmore, Dawros, Doire Fhíonáin, Doire Ianna, Dromin, Dromore, Dunloe, Glanbehy, Glanlee, Glanlough, Glanmore, Greenane, Kenmare, Kilgarvan, Kilgobnet, Killinane, Killorglin, Lickeen, Loch Luíoch, Loughbrin, Máistir Gaoithe, Maum, Na Beathacha, Portmagee, Reen, Sneem, Tahilla, Toghroinn Fhíonáin, Trian Iarthach and Valencia.6
KillarneyAghadoe, Aglish, Ballyhar, Brewsterfield, Clydagh, Coolies, Doocarrig, Flesk, Headfort, Kilbonane, Kilcummin, Killarney Rural, Killarney Urban, Knocknahoe, Lahard, Muckross, Rathmore and Rockfield.7
ListowelAbbeydorney, Ardagh, Astee, Ballincloher, Ballyconry, Ballyduff (in the former Rural District of Listowel), Ballyegan (in the former Rural District of Listowel), Ballyheige, Ballyhorgan, Ballynorig, Beal, Carrig, Causeway, Cloontubbrid, Drommartin, Duagh, Ennismore, Gullane, Gunsborough, Kerryhead, Kilfeighny, Kilflyn, Killahan, Killehenny, Killury, Kilmeany, Kiltomy, Leitrim, Lislaughtin, Lisselton, Listowel Rural, Listowel Urban, Lixnaw, Moynsha, Newtownsandes, Rathea, Shronowen, Tarbert, Tarmon, Trienearagh and Urlee.6
TraleeArdfert, Ballynahaglish, Ballyseedy, Banna, Baurtregaum, Blennerville, Clogherbrien, Doon, Ratass, Tralee Rural, Tralee Urban and Tubrid.7

Councillors

The following were elected at the 2024 Kerry County Council election.

2024 seats summary

PartySeats
9
6
4
2
1
11

Councillors by electoral area

This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.[13]

Notes and References

  1. News: Brassil elected as Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council. 7 June 2014. Radio Kerry News. Radio Kerry. 6 June 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140608105831/http://www.radiokerry.ie/news/brassil-elected-as-cathaoirleach-of-kerry-county-council/. 8 June 2014.
  2. News: Breandán Fitzgerald elected Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council. Radio Kerry. 21 June 2024. 21 June 2024.
  3. Web site: Contact Us . Kerry County Council . 27 March 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110519215425/http://www.kerrycoco.ie/en/allservices/generalinfo/contact/ . 19 May 2011 .
  4. Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898. 1898. 37. 1. Establishment of county councils. 12 August 1898. uk. 61 & 62 Vict..
  5. Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898. 1898. 37. 124. Commencement of Act. 12 August 1898. uk. 61 & 62 Vict..
  6. Book: 27th Report of the Local Government Board for Ireland (Cmd. 9480). https://archive.org/details/op1253906-1001/page/268/mode/2up . Orders declaring the boundaries of administrative counties and defining county electoral divisions: County of Kerry . 1900 . . Dublin . 269 .
  7. Quirke. Michael P. 1999. Centenary of Local Government - Kerry County Council. The Kerry Magazine. Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society. Tralee. 10. 4–6. 0085-2503.
  8. Web site: The Poor Law and Local Government in county Kerry, 1850-1921 . Lucey . Seán . 19 May 2010 . . 27 March 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725163218/http://www.esrc.ac.uk/my-esrc/grants/RES-062-23-0181/outputs/read/ffccc7d3-1484-4f84-bd51-d08535eb02a0 . 25 July 2011 .
  9. Book: Barrington, T J. Discovering Kerry. Its History, Heritage and Topgraphy. 2. 1976. 1999. The Collins Press. Cork. 1-898256-71-3. 127.
  10. County Electoral Areas (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1985. 1985. 110. Article 5 (Kerry). si. Liam Kavanagh, Minister for the Environment. 24 April 1985.
  11. Web site: All Services . Kerry County Council . 17 March 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091721/http://www.kerrycoco.ie/en/allservices/ . 27 April 2011 .
  12. 2014. si. 573. Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014. 16 December 2014. 3 May 2023. Article 5 and Schedule 3.
  13. Web site: Kerry County Council – Elected Candidates. RTÉ News. 19 June 2024.