RACHEL Hoade Scully is hoisted in the air by Galway colleagues Shane Curley and Albert Dolan following her election onto the Fianna Fáil National Excutive Committee of 15.

Young Hoade eyed for local politics

Published: Fri 22 May 2026, 11:04 AM

ANNAGHDOWN’s Rachel Hoade Scully has been elected to the Fianna Fáil National Executive Committee of 15.

The daughter of Galway County Councillor Mary Hoade, the 22-year-old topped the poll on the female panel, fighting off the challenge of 14 other candidates. She exceeded the quota and secured her election on the first count. The strong level of support Rachel received in the election has been hailed as a significant achievement, and evidence of her growing reputation within the party.

It is widely speculated she will seek to run as a candidate for Fianna Fáil in the next local elections in 2029.

“I am honoured to have been elected to the Committee of 15 at this weekend’s Ard Fheis, a particularly special occasion as we mark the centenary of our party,” stated Rachel, a final year Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice student at the University of Galway.

“I look forward to working on the executive, representing the views of members across the organisation, and contributing to the continued success of the party.”

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RACHEL Hoade Scully alongside Fianna Fáil Party leader Micheal Martin at the party’s Ard Fheis.

Rachel is already an active member of Cumann de Barra, the University of Galway branch of Ógra Fianna Fáil. She was one of two Galway members of Ógra Fianna Fáil to be elected to the party’s National Executive, alongside Eyrecourt’s Mark Larkin.

“The voice of young people is never lost in Fianna Fáil, it is always amplified. The success of four Ógra candidates in last weekend's Ard Chomhairle elections is the ultimate demonstration of this,” remarked Ógra Fianna Fáil President John Crowley.