Cork Sinn Féin politician Nicole Ryan to run for Seanad

Cork’s Nicole Ryan has been nominated by Sinn Féin to contest the Seanad elections.

Ms Ryan spent eight years running a successful drug education social enterprise, educating over 13,000 post-primary students nationwide on the dangers of substance abuse.

A passionate advocate of women’s health, access to affordable, decent, and adequate housing , the 31-year-old contested the 2024 general election in Cork North-West. Although she did not win a Dáil seat, Ms Ryan helped Sinn Féin to secure its highest ever vote in the constituency.

Ms Ryan was awarded Humanitarian of the Year in 2018 and also was a recipient of the Pride of Cork award in 2021.

Speaking to The Echo, Ms Ryan said she was “delighted” to be nominated for the Seanad.

“If I get elected, [it will allow me] to be able to build a profile down here in Cork North-West and to have somebody that is up in the Dáil representing our supporters.

“I would get to learn everything from the inside out, being able to get into the nitty gritty and learn a lot of the stuff that you are going to need to know going forward.”

Other standout Sinn Féin nominees include Conor Murphy, the North’s economy minister.

Sinn Féin’s six Seanad nominees are: Nicole Ryan — administrative panel; Conor Murphy — industrial and commercial panel; Pauline Tully — cultural and educational panel; Joanne Collins — agricultural panel; Chris Andrews and Maria McCormack — labour panel.

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “This is a strong national team who, if elected, will join 39 TDs in the Dáil as a significant, very potent force in Irish political life. Central to their agenda will be advancing the planning and preparations for Irish re-unification.”