Meet the Local Election Candidates

Candidates, whose policy and other details are published have paid a fee for its inclusion.

All candidates names in the 5 Municipal Districts (8 electoral areas) are listed in alphabetical order here

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Athy Municipal District

Cllr Aoife Breslin, Labour candidate in Athy Municipal District.

 My priorities include:

Campaign for the provision of secure affordable housing  and a more ambitious public housing programme.

Support for local business and the creation of employment opportunities including identifying and securing  suitable lands for development.

Harness the economic benefits of the Athy Southern Distributor Road

To seek additional funding for urban regeneration and development projects in our towns and villages

Work towards securing additional health care services including access to GP services

Tackle the dual scurge of homelessness and addiction

Work with the Gardai in maintaining safe and secure neighbourhoods

Promote and support additional public transport including the expansion of Rural TransportLlink. Delivery of 2nd railway line to Athy

Investment in infrastructure including water and wastewater

To continue to support community groups with the delivery of additional community facilities in the Municipal District including playgrounds and sports pitches

Continued development of Athy Municipal District as a tourist destination and the enhancement of the Blueway including a water hub in Athy

**Labour Party Local Election Manifesto 2024 here

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"My name is Mark Leigh and I'm a sitting Councillor on Kildare County Council since 2020.

I'm a native of South Kildare, born and reared in Narraghmore. I now live in Athy with my wife Beatrice and our dog Kobi. I went to school in Cookstown NS, St Kevin's CC in Dunlavin and Scoil Eoin in Athy. I also attended third level in Carlow IT, now SETU and Maynooth University.

I played gaelic football with St Laurence's and soccer with Mill Celtic. I'm currently President of Athy Tennis Club and a committee member of Mill Celtic AFC.

I run a small pharmaceutical logistics company serving hospitals in the Dublin area.

As a Councillor I sit on the Special Policy Committee of the Housing Department, and I also sit on the HSE Regional Committee.

Growing up in South Kildare in the 80s and 90s was like navigating a landscape rich in tradition yet on the cusp of change. Back then, the town had a certain charm, with its bustling streets lined with family-owned shops and pubs where locals gathered to share stories. Life moved at a slower pace, and there was a strong sense of community, where everyone knew each other by name.

However, compared to today, Athy has undergone significant transformation. The advent of technology and globalisation has brought both opportunities and challenges. The once-thriving local businesses have depleted significantly, and traditional industries like agriculture have evolved to embrace modern practices.

With the rise of social media and the internet, the world feels more interconnected, yet the close-knit bonds of community that defined Athy in the past may have loosened somewhat.

However, there's still a strong sense of pride in the town's heritage, with efforts to preserve its historic landmarks and traditions, to ensure it is a place people want to visit. The works on the new International Ernest Shackleton Museum, tenders signed for the upgrade of Emily Square, and new public realm and upgrades all over the South of the County will help shape this into the future. The Barrow Blueway is almost finished running from Lowtown and terminating in Athy. A fantastic amenity to have on our doorsteps.

Today, Athy is a blend of old and new, where the echoes of the past resonate alongside the innovations of the present. While some may yearn for the simpler times of decades past, there's also an excitement in embracing the opportunities that the future holds for this vibrant town in County Kildare. With our new road finally open last October after decades of stopping and starting it was built under the tenure of this Council. The town can now finally breathe and a plan can be made for the future. Athy is open for business!!!

With the new masterplan for Castledermot, the town will flourish over the coming years and I look forward to working with the community there to continue building into the future, a stunning, historical destination with state-of-the-art active travel and public realm designs. Road Improvements have been planned for St John’s Road/ Lower Plunketstown, new footpaths at old Abbeylands and new Abbeylands/Lerr Road to be taken in charge in the near future. Funds have been set aside for a survey on the road from Castledermot Church to Coltstown Cemetery.

Ballitore also have a new village plan and designs have been submitted finally for a new street layout taking out the dangerous junction and lowering the height of the footpath. The wall that collapsed in the Quaker Cemetery will also be rebuilt in the near future.

With public realm, active travel, community centre and road safety improvements planned for all areas of South Kildare including

• -Nurney, a new pedestrian crossing at the National School and the improvement works on Sweep Lane
• -Narraghmore, continued support for The Old Hardware and speed calming measures for the village.
• -Kilkea, resurfacing of the village to tie in with new pencil bollards at Kilkea NS and new footpaths at Kilkea Cottages.
• -Kilmead, new footpaths at St Ita’s Park, resurface of New Line Road (Monatore Rd), new barriers and carns to prevent illegal camping in Moateview and the imminent taking in charge of CluainArd Estate.
• -Timolin and Moone, new cycleway between the villages.
• -Kilberry, upgrade of footpaths in certain areas, new bus shelters.
• -Ballyroe, new footpaths and road resurfacing to be done this year.
• -Calverstown, €198,000 for the village towards a new community centre recently awarded, full resurface of road between Calverstown and Narraghmore.
• -Ballyshannon, continued support for Ballyshannon Action Group aginst the planned quarry at Racefield.
• -Fontstown, upgrade of Fontstown Junction and resurfacing up to Seven Stars/Rathsillagh junction.

My vision is to see Athy and surrounding areas blossom in the coming years, supported by both economic and tourism growth. Exciting key projects are underway to support this: Athy Food Hub (starting soon) and the development of the Shackleton museum and Emily Square (currently underway).

I would be honoured to continue another term in the council representing you and our communities. I am committed to working on your behalf to support you and to make Athy MD a nicer place to live.

*Click on photo for more about Mark Leigh!

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