‘My upbringing has shown me that everyone deserves to be, and must be, treated equally. ‘I want a Belfast that does that in word and in action, no matter what your background is’
Lord Mayor Councillor Donnelly
The new Irish-speaking Lord Mayor of Belfast has said diversity will be at the heart of her message over the coming year.
Installed at the full council meeting on Monday evening, is Sinn Féin Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, a 30-year-old operations manager in the community sector. Alliance Ormiston Councillor Hedley Abernethy was appointed Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.
A native of Ballymurphy in West Belfast, Róis-Máire has been a councillor for three and a half years, representing the Black Mountain District Electoral Area. In her coming term she says she wants to focus on young people, the cost of living crisis, the Irish language, and the epidemic of violence against women and girls.
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The largely ceremonial role of mayor goes around on a yearly cycle, and is shared among the major parties in the chamber. Róis-Máire Donnelly replaced DUP Councillor Tracy Kelly in the mayoral role.
The new mayor told the chamber at City Hall: “This is a great source of pride for me, my family, and I hope for my own area of Ballymurphy. I couldn’t be prouder that the people of the Black Mountain electoral area put their faith in me to represent them, and I am looking forward to showing them exactly what a Ballymurphy woman can bring to the role.”
She added: “I was raised in an inclusive and welcoming environment, where difference and diversity is embraced and celebrated, and I am proud of that. My upbringing has shown me that everyone deserves to be, and must be, treated equally.
“I want a Belfast that does that in word and in action, no matter what your background is. I want a Belfast where language rights are respected and cherished, because they belong to all of us.
“I want a Belfast where we champion the rights of the most vulnerable in our society, and do so proudly without fear or favour. And I will never accept that undeniable rights are merely privileges to be given and taken from those in need, by those in power.”
She added: “Diversity enriches our city, and the lives of all of our citizens, and I will champion that diversity. In this year I will reach out the hand of friendship, and do my best to help build a future we can all be proud of, a future built on the foundation of a rights-based society.”
She said: “This is a huge year for Belfast, and I’m calling on all our citizens to get involved this summer and show what we can do and achieve together.
“Ní amháin go maireann na daoine ar scáth a chéile ach bíonn rath orainn mar aon. Le chéile, tá samhraidh iontach i ndán dúinn a léiríonn ár n-oidhreacht cheoil is tráidisiúin don oileán ar fad agus níos faide i gcéin.
“The Fleadh in Belfast is all about celebrating together and, with the event also taking place in 2027, we have a unique opportunity to really engage communities in the staging of one of Europe’s biggest cultural events and encourage visitors to explore everything we have to offer, right across our city.”
She said: “Forty per cent of Belfast’s population is aged 30 or under, and many of the issues we face as a city, including cost of living pressures, the need for inclusive growth and adapting to climate change, will impact them the most. I want to work with young people to hear their ideas and encourage them to get involved in shaping solutions.
“I’m particularly keen to support younger women in our communities and spotlight those projects working to empower them, to tackle negative behaviours towards women and to unlock access to support services and enable everyone to reach their full potential.
“Tá pobal labhartha na Gaeilge ag fás linn sa chathair agus, a mhacasamhail le teangacha eile, ba chóir don teanga is phobal a chothú. Tá grúpaí Gaeilge lárnach in athfhorbairt na cathrach, tógáil caidrimh agus todhchaí Bhéal Feirste.
“Our city’s Irish language community is also flourishing, and, like all languages, it deserves to be protected and nurtured. I will showcase the good work being done to foster interest and connection, right across the city, and highlight how language can work as a force for good.”
Councillor Hedley Abernethy said: “As someone who grew up in this city, in a terraced house in Lismain Street in east Belfast, and who loves this city, it’s an absolute honour and privilege to be given the opportunity to represent it as Deputy Lord Mayor. Back then, I could never have imagined being in the place I am now.
“Without a doubt, the most exciting part of this role is getting the chance to meet the people that make Belfast what it is, to see first-hand the work being done to make this city a better place to live and work, and to support the amazing organisations largely responsible for helping see it done.
“One thing I have realised over my lifetime is that there are not two communities living in this city. We are, together, one community, made up of many different and diverse identities, backgrounds, and ways of life. I look forward to getting to know them all a little better over the next year or so.”
He added: “I can’t wait to hit the ground running and get stuck in.”
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