Maura Healy-Rae takes over father's council seat

Maura Healy-Rae campaigning with her father Danny in Kerry last month. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Majella O'Sullivan

She is the newest member of the country's best-known political dynasty - but entering public life is no huge leap for Maura Healy-Rae.

The 25-year-old English and History teacher says her interest in politics was sparked growing up in Kilgarvan and through admiration of her grandfather, Jackie.

She will be co-opted onto Kerry County Council next week to replace her father, Danny, who was elected to Dáil Éireann alongside his brother Michael, the first siblings to ever have achieved the feat in the same constituency in the same election.

Her brother Johnny has been an Independent member of Kerry County Council since his co-option in 2011 to fill the seat occupied by his uncle Michael, who was elected to the Dáil that year.

"It's a privilege to be taking up a seat on Kerry County Council that was first won by my grandfather in 1973," Maura told the Irish Independent.

"I've also seen how my father has put his heart and soul into it for the past 14 years and he'll certainly be a hard act to follow."

Ms Healy-Rae will be one of two new councillors co-opted onto the local authority at a special meeting next Monday.

A replacement for Fianna Fáil's John Brassil has yet to be announced.