Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly was installed as Lord Mayor of Belfast in June 2026, becoming the city’s first Irish-speaking Lord Mayor. A Sinn Féin councillor representing the Black Mountain District Electoral Area since 2023, Róis-Máire is a proud Ballymurphy native with a strong background in community development and the voluntary sector, where she has supported children, young people and vulnerable people across Belfast.
Throughout her term, Róis-Máire will champion four key themes: empowering young people; supporting women and girls; addressing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis; and promoting and celebrating the Irish language. She is committed to building a more inclusive Belfast where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and where communities are celebrated for their diversity.
