125 Years of Local Government

2024 marks the 125th Anniversary of the first local elections in Ireland.

All of Ireland’s County Councils trace their origins directly or indirectly to the first elections which took place in early April 1899, followed by their first meetings in the same month.  These inaugural Council elections marked advances in Irish democracy under a number of key headings. The franchise was widened beyond the landed gentry to include all householders, and women were afforded voting rights for the first time, albeit in a limited capacity.

In commemoration of this anniversary, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has produced, in conjunction with the Local Government Archivists and Record Managers network (LGARM), a digital exhibition and publication, “125 Years of Local Government in Ireland.”