SHEroes was born out of that gap — not only as a project, but as a movement. With the support of Galway City Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, our first symposium in 2024 brought together inspiring voices from across politics, advocacy, and community life. It confirmed what we already knew: the appetite for inclusion and representation is strong, and the potential for change is real. SHEroes Ireland seeks to address the under-representation of women, young people, and people from migrant and diverse backgrounds in local government.

In 2025, SHEroes Ireland continues this mission with its second symposium — ‘Sustaining Momentum: Supporting and Empowering Women and Diverse Communities in Local Government (2024–2029)’ — celebrating recent progress while deepening efforts to engage young people, expand political participation, and champion diversity in leadership.

The symposium will feature a diverse set of speakers, each shedding light on their experiences, contributions, and perspectives on the importance of political empowerment and engagement.