New leadership has been appointed at most of Northern Ireland’s councils for the 2025/26 term.
Ten out of eleven councils have announced their new Mayor and Deputy Mayor (chairperson and deputy chairperson in some areas), with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council still to go through the process.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Leah Kirkpatrick has been appointed as the first female Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey.
She is an Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) councillor and served as Deputy Mayor in the 2022/23 term.
“I am deeply honoured to be elected as Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey. As First Citizen of the Borough, I am fully committed to supporting grassroots movements in our communities and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
“I would like to thank my colleagues in the Ulster Unionist Party for their support and trust in me, and I look forward to working collaboratively across all parties to deliver for our residents and businesses,” she said.
Julie Gilmour, Alliance councillor for Threemilewater, was appointed Deputy Mayor. She was first elected in 2019.
She said: “It is a great privilege for me to serve as Deputy Mayor. I am really looking forward to working with Leah and being part of an all-female team, united by shared goals of building a more inclusive society.”
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Ards and North Down has a one party leadership team, with both the Mayor and Deputy mayor in the Alliance Party.
Gillian McCollum will be appointed Mayor on Wednesday. She represents the Holywood and Clandeboye District Electoral Area (DEA).
She said: “Ards and North Down belongs to each of us equally and we are all equally worthy of belonging to Ards and North Down, and I want to be a mayor for everyone who calls the borough home. I’m ready to take on the role with energy, enthusiasm, and dedication, and I’m excited for the year ahead.”
The Deputy Mayor will be Vicky Moore, who represents the Newtownards DEA.
“Ards and North Down is both my own lifelong home and that of generations of my family before me, and I’m so incredibly honoured to take up the mantle of Deputy Mayor,” she said.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Stephen Moutray will represent the DUP as the new Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
He was co-opted onto the council in 2018 and re-elected in 2019 and 2023. He represents the Lurgan DEA.
He said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to serve as the First Citizen for the borough. I am so proud to take on this important ambassadorial role and I am really looking forward to the year ahead meeting with businesses, residents and communities and welcoming visiting dignitaries from home and abroad.”
Jessica Johnston of the Alliance Party was appointed as Deputy Mayor – at 25 years old, she is the youngest to hold this position on the council.
First elected in 2022 for Lagan River, and then re-elected in 2023, she is the first Alliance councillor to hold a leadership position in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.
She said: “I am immensely proud to step into this honorary role at such an early stage in my political career and thrilled to be representing people in the place I call home.”
Belfast City Council
The new Lord Mayor of Belfast is DUP councillor Tracy Kelly, who represents the Botanic DEA.
First elected in 2019, she is the first female DUP councillor to take on the role of Lord Mayor.
“My priority as Lord Mayor is to make sure that everyone in Belfast feels part of the changes that are happening in our city and can find a place for themselves within them – that no-one is left behind,” she said.
The SDLP’s Paul Doherty will be the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast. He represents the Black Mountain DEA.
He posted on X: “A proud moment for me, my family and my community. Thank you everyone for putting your trust in me. I promise to be a champion for all the people of Belfast.”
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Sinn Féin councillor Oliver McMullan was appointed Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens on Monday.
The former East Antrim MLA now represents The Glens DEA on the council and has done since 2019.
“As the first Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens representing The Glens, I am extremely proud and privileged to be selected as Mayor by the party,” he said.
“I take on the role of Mayor with extreme pride and hope to build upon the work of Cllr McQuillan and Cllr Stirling as I progress through my term,” he added.
The new Deputy Mayor will be Richard Stewart from the Alliance Party. He represents the Causeway DEA and was first elected to the council in 2019.
“To be entrusted with this position is a privilege I do not take lightly. Representing such a diverse, vibrant, and resilient Borough is both humbling and inspiring. It is a role that comes with responsibility, and I promise to carry it out with integrity, openness, and a genuine desire to serve all who call this place home,” he said.
“On a personal note, it is not lost on me that I am the first openly gay person to hold this post in our Council’s history,” he added.
Derry City and Strabane District Council
Ruairi McHugh was appointed as the new Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council.
The Sinn Féin councillor for Derg was first co-opted to the council in 2008 and has been re-elected at every election since.
He said he was “very proud and humbled” to be given the opportunity to take up the Mayoral position and made a commitment that his Mayoral year would be focused on inclusive leadership, continued development, and unwavering support for the community.
Niree McMorris of the DUP was appointed as Deputy Mayor. She represents the Waterside DEA and was co-opted to the council in 2022 then re-elected in 2023.
She said: “I pledge to represent everyone from our city and district and I will support our Mayor to carry out all civic duties, both fairly and compassionately. This role is an honour and privilege and I am delighted to be able to serve the good people of both Londonderry and Strabane district.”
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Former Sinn Féin MP Barry McElduff is the new Chairperson of Fermangh and Omagh District Council.
He has been a councillor since 2019 after he resigned as MP for West Tyrone in 2018 due to his tweet on the anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre, which the party said was “inexcusable and indefensible”.
He also served as the Chairperson of the council in the 2022/23 term.
DUP councillor Shirley Hawkes will be the Deputy Chairperson. She was elected in the 2023 election for the Mid Tyrone DEA.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Jackson Minford takes over as the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim.
The Ulster Unionist councillor, who represents the Bannside DEA, said: “This is a responsibility I take with great pride, and I am committed to doing my utmost to serve every corner of our Borough.”
The new Deputy Mayor is Tyler Hoey of the DUP, who also represents the Bannside DEA.
He said: “I’m looking forward to working alongside the Mayor and fellow Councillors to help build a Borough that is inclusive, forward-thinking and supportive of all its citizens.”
Mid Ulster District Council
DUP councillor Frances Burton has taken over as Chairperson of Mid Ulster District Council.
She represents the Clogher Valley DEA, has served as a councillor since 2005, and was Deputy Chair in 2018/19 and 2022/23.
Posting on social media, she said: “Honoured and thrilled to be selected as Mid Ulster Council Chair at tonight’s AGM. Sincere thanks to colleagues past and present as referenced in my acceptance speech for their support and encouragement over the years.”
The SDLP’s Denise Johnston was selected to be the new Deputy Chairperson. She represents the Moyola DEA and was elected in 2023.
She said: “I look forward to engaging with the good people of Mid Ulster in the year ahead.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Sinn Féin have taken both top jobs at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, with Philip Campbell being appointed as the new Chair.
The Downpatrick councillor said: “I’m deeply honoured to take on the role of Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. As someone raised in Downpatrick, this district isn’t just where I live—it’s who I am. I’m proud to call it home, proud to raise my family here and proud of the people who make it such a special place.”
His party colleague Geraldine Kearns is the new Deputy Chair of the council. She represents the Newry DEA.
She said: “I’m committed to working with all councillors and Council staff to promote what’s best about our district and to stand up for workers, families and communities in every corner of the district.”
