A woman from Kinlough, Co. Leitrim, has been elected to one of the most influential positions within Sinn Féin, marking a significant milestone for grassroots politics in the north-west of Ireland.
Michelle Brennan Shyabo was elected to Sinn Féin’s Ard Comhairle — the party’s national executive body — following the party’s Cuige meeting, which took place in Mullingar. The Ard Comhairle plays a central role in shaping the direction, policy, and strategy of Sinn Féin at a national level, making it one of the most important decision-making structures within the organisation.
A Voice for 14 Counties
Michelle’s election means she will now represent the Midlands-North West constituency area on the Ard Comhairle, a vast region spanning 14 counties across the heart and north-west of Ireland. This gives her a significant platform to bring the concerns, priorities, and voices of communities across a wide geographic area directly to the national leadership table.
Gratitude and Commitment
Following her election, Michelle expressed heartfelt thanks to party members who backed her for the role. “I am honoured and grateful and would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported me in my ratification for this role on the Ard Comhairle — it really means a lot,” she said.
She made clear that her focus throughout her tenure will be on championing those at the grassroots level of the party. “Our party is strongest when it is grounded in communities, actively listening and standing shoulder to shoulder with them,” she added, signalling a community-first approach to her new responsibilities.
An Exciting Time for the Party
Michelle described her appointment as coming at a particularly important moment in Irish political life. She sees her role on the Ard Comhairle as an opportunity to be part of a historic process — one that could shape the future of the island. With Sinn Féin increasingly focused on advancing the case for a United Ireland referendum, Michelle said she intends to bring the voices of ordinary communities to the forefront of those national conversations, ensuring that local perspectives are reflected in the party’s broader political ambitions.
Her election is seen as a positive development for Leitrim and the wider Midlands-North West region, giving the area direct representation at the highest levels of one of Ireland’s largest political parties.
