Councillors & Democracy
An Cathaoirleach
If you wish to contact the Cathaoirleach’s Office you can do so by emailing cathaoirleachsoffice@dlrcoco.ie or phoning 01-2047057
Office of An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
An Cathaoirleach is the First Citizen of the County, taking precedence over all others, except the President, when attending events or functions within the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area.
An Cathaoirleach is elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) every June and serves for a one year term. The responsibilities of An Cathaoirleach include the following:
- Chairing of Council Meetings
- Representing the Council at local, national and international events
- Bestowing Civic Honours on groups and citizens within the County
- The awarding of Cathaoirleach’s Awards to groups and citizens from within the County
- An Leas-Cathaoirleach is also elected at the Council AGM every June. They deputise for An Cathaoirleach in the event that they are unable to attend a meeting or event.
Current Office Holder
At the June 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Barry Saul was elected as Cathaoirleach, marking the beginning of his term for the year ahead.
Councillor Barry Saul is a Fine Gael representative for the Stillorgan Local Electoral Area on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. First co-opted to the Council in 2003 and elected in his own right since 2009, he brings many years of experience in serving his local community.
A long-time resident of Mount Merrion, Cllr Saul has strong ties to the area and a genuine commitment to the people he represents. Educated locally, he has always taken a keen interest in protecting and enhancing green open spaces, recognising their importance to the wellbeing and character of local communities.
Throughout his time in public life, Cllr Saul has taken on leadership roles within the Council, including serving as Cathaoirleach in 2015, and contributes more widely at a regional and European level. He continues to work closely with residents on issues that matter most to them, particularly in areas such as planning, sustainable development, and community wellbeing.
As Cathaoirleach, Cllr Saul’s focus for the year ahead will be on supporting the delivery of major capital projects across the county. This includes the new public library in Stillorgan, the continued development of the multi-sport campus at St. Thomas’ Fields, and the implementation of the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan, alongside the ongoing work of the County Development Plan in guiding sustainable growth. Together, these projects represent significant investment in housing, infrastructure, and community facilities, helping to enhance quality of life for current and future generations.
At the Council AGM, Cllr Mary Fayne was elected as Leas Chathaoirleach. Councillor Mary Fayne is a Fine Gael representative for the Dún Laoghaire Local Electoral Area on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. First elected in 2014, she has many years of experience representing local communities.
A lifelong resident, she was born and raised in Dún Laoghaire and has strong ties to the local community, having worked in St Michael’s Hospital and raised her family in the area.
Cllr Fayne is actively involved in community and sporting organisations and is committed to supporting local residents, with a focus on protecting the coastline, improving amenities, and supporting community life.
Chain of Office
During their term, An Cathaoirleach wears the official Chain of Office when representing Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The chain was created in 1994 and is multiple links of 9ct gold bound to a 9ct gold pendant crest of Dún Laoghaire. The chain has multiple symbols which represent the following:
Shamrock: This is from the seal of Rathdown no. 1 Rural District Council (harks back to the old Barony of Rathdown).
Viking ship: The ship represents the Viking associations of this coastal and maritime area, which later came to also represent trade.
The Irish crown: Pre-independence versions of the crest had a crown representing British imperial connections with the name Kingstown. This was later changed to a more jagged type of crown to reference those thought to be worn by Irish kings such as King Laoghaire.
Oak branch with acorns: This represents the ancient wooded nature of the entire county and the aspiration for conservation of the natural environment.
Mountain / hill (the triangle): This represents the hills and part of the Dublin mountains to the south and south-west of the county.
The Sea: The sea represents the maritime tradition of the County and its importance for trade and recreation. It also represents the common coastline of the two former administrative areas unified by the Council.
Gallery
