Increase in Sinn Fein mayors as all councils across Northern Ireland appoint their new first citizens
All councils have now confirmed their new mayors for the next year, with an increase in the number of mayoralities held by Sinn Fein.
The number of mayoralities held by unionists is equal to last year, after Lisburn and Castlereagh Borough Council chose their new mayor on Friday afternoon – the last council to do so.
Previously, there were four Sinn Fein mayors or chairpersons (three of the councils only have chairs, not mayors), but this year there are six.
Last year there was one Sinn Fein deputy mayor in Northern Ireland, and this year there is also at least one.
Last year there were five unionist mayors, and now for 2026/27 the number is the same.
Meanwhile there were four unionist deputies last year, and now for 2026/27 there are six.
Here are the changes in your area:
● Mid and East Antrim:
Thomas Gordon (DUP) is the new mayor, while Bethany Carson-Ferris (UUP) is deputy.
They replace Jackson Minford (UUP) and Tyler Hoey (DUP), respectively.
● Belfast:
Rois-Maire Donnelly (Sinn Fein) is the new mayor, with the deputy being Hedley Abernethy (Alliance).
They took over from Tracy Kelly (DUP) and Paul Doherty (formerly of the SDLP, now independent).
● Antrim and Newtownabbey:
Henry Cushinan (Sinn Fein) is the new mayor, and his deputy is Alison Bennington (DUP).
It is the first time the borough has had a Sinn Fein mayor.
They replace Leah Kirkpatrick (UUP) and Julie Gilmour (Alliance), respectively.
● Derry City and Strabane:
Grace Ui Niallais (Sinn Fein) is the new mayor, with Catherine McDaid (SDLP) as her deputy.
The previous mayor was Ruairi McHugh (also Sinn Fein) and deputy was Niree McMorris (DUP).
● Causeway Coast and Glens:
New mayors: Dawn Huggins (DUP) with Sandra Hunter (UUP) as deputy.
Old ones: Oliver McMullan (Sinn Fein) with Richard Stewart (Alliance) as deputy.
● Mid Ulster:
The new chairwoman is Deirdre Varsani (Sinn Fein) with Eva Cahoon (DUP) named as deputy.
The old chairwoman was Frances Burton (DUP) and her deputy was Denise Johnston (SDLP).
● Fermanagh and Omagh:
New chairwoman: Debbie Coyle (Sinn Fein), with Stephen McCann (Sinn Fein) as deputy.
Old chairman: Barry McElduff (Sinn Fein) and Shirley Hawkes (DUP) as deputy.
● Lisburn and Castlereagh:
New mayor: Brian Higginson (DUP) and Aaron McIntrye (Alliance).
Old mayor: Amanda Grehan (Alliance) and Hazel Legge (UUP) as deputy.
● Ards and North Down:
New mayor: Craig Blaney (UUP) and deputy James Cochrane (DUP).
Old mayor: Gillian McCollum (Alliance) and deputy Vicky Moore (Alliance).
● Newry, Mourne, and Down:
New chairman: Glyn Hanna (DUP), with deputy Doire Finn (SDLP)
Old chairman: Philip Campbell (Sinn Fein) and Geraldine Kearns (SF)
● Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon:
New mayor: Mary O’Dowd (SF) and Lavelle McIlwrath (DUP) as deputy.
Old mayor: Stephen Moutray (DUP) and Jessica Johnston (Alliance) as deputy.