Cavan's Ray McAdam Elected as Dublin's 358th Lord Mayor

Councillor Ray McAdam has been elected as the 358th Lord Mayor of Dublin, making him the third consecutive Fine Gael politician to hold the position, a first for the party. McAdam received support from 34 out of 63 city councillors, while Sinn Féin's Kourtney Kenny secured 22 votes. Born in Co Cavan and raised in Co Fermanagh, McAdam studied philosophy and political science at Trinity College Dublin, where he joined Young Fine Gael. He was elected to Dublin City Council in 2009 at the age of 25, becoming the first Fine Gael representative in the north inner city in over two decades. He has retained his seat in each election since, topping the poll last year.

In his upcoming term as Lord Mayor, McAdam aims to address the city's challenges and foster collaboration for solutions. He plans to focus on reusing vacant buildings, utilizing compulsory purchase processes for neglected properties, and creating 'vacancy maps' to identify opportunities for building reuse. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of implementing the council's sports plan to promote integration and inclusion through sports.

McAdam also advocates for enhancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities in politics and business, empowering youth in city planning, and establishing the 'Lord Mayor's Commission on Dublin 2050' to develop a long-term vision for the city center by 2050. He envisions a statue on O'Connell Street to honor the 'women of the revolution' who played a significant role in Ireland's independence.

McAdam succeeds Emma Blain, who assumed office after James Geoghegan's election to the Dáil last December.