Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael- Macroom, Cork North West Constituency)

Name: Eileen Lynch

Age: 28

Preferred pronouns: She/her

Party: Fine Gael

Local Electoral Area: Macroom (Cork North West Constituency)

Is this your first time running? Yes

What are your reasons for running as a young person in politics?

I’ve been involved in politics since I was 16, and in that short time, I have seen many changes in national and international politics. I believe politics is one of the biggest mechanisms we have to achieve change and I decided to put my name forward because I want to work with the people in my community to make our area better.

There are too few young people involved in politics, and too many young people are disenfranchised. I’m running because I think it is important that young people have the option to vote for someone who can relate to them. At 28, I am the youngest candidate in my electoral area. I believe you cannot really change things unless you get involved and put your name forward. I’m running because I want to improve things rather than be passive and disengaged. Politics is important and everyone should exercise their right to vote, after all it is only one hundred years ago that women in this country were given the vote.