Rose Conway-Walsh (50), Mayo’s first Sinn Féin TD since 1927, hails from a rural part of the county.

She was first elected to Mayo County Council in 2009, making history as the first female councillor elected in Belmullet since the foundation of the State. She ran twice for the Dáil but, failing to gain a seat, she took up a position in the Seanad in April 2016. There she has highlighted issues around health, local post offices and pyrite-affected homes.

Born in London, her family moved back to Ballycroy before she started primary school. She was raised in a council house and was one of eight children. She has a degree in public management and a masters in local government from NUI Galway. Prior to getting into politics, she worked in community development in her local Erris.

She has been a member of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle since 1990.