Accidental Politician
FINE GAEL COUNCILLOR SINEAD MAGUIRE WAS FIRST ELECTED TO SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL IN 2014. THE MUM-OF-TWO HAS NOW SET HER SIGHTS ON THE DAIL, AND HOPES SHE CAN GET ON THE FG TICKET
FRESH from an open water swim in Killasbugbrone a sun-kissed Sinead Maguire appears refreshed and relaxed for someone who is about to make the biggest decision of her life. The 43-year-old councillor who was a political novice four years ago is ‘seriously considering running for Dail Eireann.’
It’s a Wednesday afternoon when we meet outside the Glasshouse Hotel and the mum-of-two has a mere 24 hours to make up her mind before seeking a nomination for the upcoming general election.
“I’ve not made my decision yet,” she tells me, “I’m going to sit down tonight with Kieran and talk it all through again. It only became a reality a week ago when Tony McLoughlin announced his retirement, so it’s not that long really to consider something so life-changing.”
Married to popular local musician Kieran Quinn, Sinead was first voted onto Sligo County Council in 2014. This term in office has been ‘a steep learning curve’ for the self-employed solicitor, the steepest ever, in fact.
Never before had she been inside a council chamber nor did she know any of the other councillors.
“I did not know or understand the structural organisation of the council. I got no training or advice for what was a very corporate structure,” she admits.
Was it an isolating experience? Sinead responds: “Other councillors did not help me out. I did not get a lot of support. I would have expected more particularly within the party but that was not forthcoming. It was nothing like I expected. I had no idea what lay ahead. It was a very difficult scenario.”
She adds: “I had come from a heavily male dominated career in criminal law and before that farming with my father but this was a different ballgame entirely. I nursed my son Tom until he was 18-months-old and I was trying to balance all of it in a quite hostile environment. There were only three other female councillors and for the most part I got on well wiwith them. As time went on I established relationships with others.”
But this baptism of fire didn’t deter Sinead who stuck with the gig, describing it as ‘a full-time job.’ With the enthusiasm perhaps of a first time politician Sinead threw herself into the role, sitting on 11 committees, chairing 7 of those and becoming a director of the Board at the Hawk’s Well Theatre.
She has helped to secure high level funding for vital projects such as the renovation of the Hawk’s Well as she explains: “I’ve lobbied and been successful in securing €250,000 for the theatre renovation fund and a further €200,000 from the council over four years.”
“I sit on the Maritime Board and can confirm that we are about to apply for Failte Ireland Funding for €750,000 to develop a national centre of surf excellence in Strandhill,” she adds.
After much wrangling and delays, Sinead says that this project is now proceeding with funding due in July and construction to follow.
The small scale projects too give Sinead immense satisfaction as she explains: “I love seeing stuff getting done, improvements for the community, seeing Sligo progress and being part of that feels worthwhile, that you do something day to day that improves and makes a difference to people’s lives. It is the little things that can have an impact, like a bus route or a new footpath.”
Originally from Blacklion in County Cavan Sinead says she never realised she was political until a former employer,a Human Rights lawyer in California pointed it out to her.
On reflection she suspects her home place must have influenced that: “As you grow up in a border town from a young age you become politicised. You are constantly aware of threats. The Enniskillen bombing was on our doorstep. You were constantly being checked if you crossed the border. We had a 24 hour Garda and army presence on the streets.”
Indeed Sinead recalls as a teenager ‘ tip-toeing across the border to wake up the sleeping garda on duty’ after a night out with her pals. Her parents still live at the family farm in Blacklion where Sinead regularly visits. Her first love was for farming and as a young girl she had every intention of taking over from her Dad, but he advised against it.
“Dad was a cattle dealer. I spent a lot of time in the marts. I was a bit of a Tomboy. I loved farming. I wanted to go into the business after school. I love to bring my own kids up to the farm. I was there at the weekend feeding the cattle. I have a huge connection to it. When I was in the mart, I was the only woman. Now 20 years on, I’m delighted to see so many women going into farming. It is seen as a viable option with technology advancements it is not based on physical strength so much.”
And if she had taken that path, Sinead says: “I would probably be trading beef around the world.”
There is no doubting this passionate woman’s ambition. You get the feeling whatever it is she sets her mind to, she will do her best to achieve it.
Becoming a mum to Nixie (7) and Tom (3) was pivotal in her decision to enter local politics.
“Not being able to push a buggy around the road safely to the beach, I thought who’s job is it to fix that,” she says. Naturally her children are still the biggest consideration in her next potential move.
“I’ve spoken to other TD’s who are mothers, almost all are based in Dublin. Your whole life is taken over. It requires the re-structuring of my family life.”
And what about the other pressures of life under the political spotlight? “My family think I’m mad,” admits Sinead, “I’m not thick skinned. I don’t come from a political dynasty, no one is involved in politics. I’m a private person. I know you have to let go of negative feedback and disparaging remarks.”
The traits she believes could win her an election include her training and experience to date: “I’ve always represented people, always been interested in trying to help people, as a criminal lawyer and a local councillor. I was elected my first time out as a relative unknown, I’ve learned so much at council level and we definitely need more women in politics.”
As for support within her own party at the FG convention to be held next Thursday 19 th July Sinead says: “I would be hopeful of support. I have spoken directly to some and even received phone calls from people I don’t know who told me they would support me were I to run.”
On Thursday afternoon last, after intense discussions with her family, Sinead calls me with her final decision.
“I’m going to run, I’ve decided I’m going to go for it,” she tells me excitedly. “I’ve a lot of work to do between now and the convention.”
MY FAMILY THINK I’M MAD. I’M NOT THICKSKINNED. I’M NOT FROM A POLITICAL DYNASTY