Senator Barry Ward

On the Council, Barry worked tirelessly on various local issues including parks, recycling, public transport and cycling infrastructure, climate action, coastal issues and supporting local businesses. In the Seanad, he has championed criminal justice reform, and has a particular interest in education, foreign affairs, the environment and promoting the Irish language – ár dteanga náisiúnta.

A sailor, Barry has been vocal in his support for the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI, and speaks frequently about water safety and the need for the improvement of water quality in Dublin Bay. He is a member of the Oireachtas committees on Justice, An Ghaeilge, and Members’ Interests, and is also an Irish Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC).

Barry has fought hard for gender and marriage equality and is a strong advocate for change. He is a leading voice in local campaigns, such as the Sutton to Sandycove (S2S) Coastal Promenade and locating a new permanent home for Gaelscoil Laighean in Blackrock as well as providing strong contributions to discussions on ongoing international events in occupied Palestine, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Belarus, even adopting a Belarusian political prisoner.

In his spare time, Barry enjoys walks with his cocker spaniel, Ruby, on Dún Laoghaire Pier, on Killiney Hill and in Cabinteely Park. He speaks Irish and French, and hosts the Irish Legislation Podcast.