Rose Conway-Walsh | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Conway-Walsh in 2024 | |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office February 2020 | |
| Constituency | Mayo |
| Leader of Sinn Féin in the Seanad | |
| In office 8 June 2016 – 9 February 2020 | |
| Leader | |
| Preceded by | David Cullinane |
| Succeeded by | Niall Ó Donnghaile |
| Senator | |
| In office 8 June 2016 – 8 February 2020 | |
| Constituency | Agricultural Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rose Conway 1969/1970 (age 55–56)[1] Ballycroy, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Political party | Sinn Féin |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Our Lady's, Belmullet |
| Alma mater | NUI Galway |
| Website | roseconwaywalsh |
Rose Conway-Walsh (née Conway; born 1969/1970) is an IrishSinn Féin politician who has been aTeachta Dála (TD) for theMayo constituency since the2020 general election. She previously served as aLeader of Sinn Féin in the Seanad and aSenator for theAgricultural Panel from 2016 to 2020.[2][3]
Conway-Walsh grew up inBallycroy, County Mayo and is one of nine children. She attended primary school in Ballycroy before attending Our Lady's Secondary School inBelmullet.[4] She moved toLondon when she was 19. On returning to Ireland, she obtained abachelor's degree in public management and amaster's degree in local government fromNUI Galway.[5] Prior to entering politics, she worked in community development.[6]
Conway-Walsh has been a member of Sinn Féin's Ard Comhairle since 1990.[6] She founded the Sinn Féin Mayo Women's Movement in response to the lack of women in politics.[7]
At the2009 Mayo County Council election, she was elected for thelocal electoral area of Belmullet, becoming the first female councillor ever elected in Belmullet.[6] She was re-elected in2014, topping the poll and being elected on the first count.[8]
She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Mayo constituency at the2011 and2016 general elections,[9] She was elected to the Seanad in 2016, topping the poll in theAgricultural Panel and was elected on the first count.[10]
At the2020 Irish general election, she was elected to the33rd Dáil, the first Sinn Féin TD to be elected in Mayo sinceJohn Madden inJune 1927.[11] She was the party's spokesperson on Higher Education, Innovation, and Science. In July 2021 she attracted criticism for comparing segregated reopening after theCOVID-19 pandemic to thesegregation of the American South and the struggle ofRosa Parks, for which she later apologised.[12][13]
At the2024 general election, Conway-Walsh was re-elected to the Dáil. She was subsequently appointed Cathaoirleach of the Committee on Defence and National Security.[14]
Conway married Noel Walsh in 2000. They live inBelmullet with their two sons.[4]