About Councillor Orla Leyden
Orla Leyden is an experienced County Councillor with a background in community development work and social research. Orla’s proven track record in local politics, understanding of public policy, community development and local government.
Secondary School: Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Roscommon Town.
Orla has a background in community development and social research. She holds a B.A. International in Political Science & Sociology and Italian (2:1); M.Litt (Masters) in Political Science and Sociology (1:1); Diploma in Community Development Practice, NUI, Galway.
Public Representative
June 2004 – to present day.
Current Cathaoirleach of Roscommon Municipal District.
Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council (June 2017 - June 2018);
Cathaoirleach of Roscommon Municipal District (June 2016 - June 2017);
Chairperson of Economic Development & Enterprise Support SPC (including Tourism, Culture & Libraries).
Member of Environmental and Emergency Services, Strategic Policy Committee.
Chairperson of Climate Action Sub-committee.
Member, Roscommon Town Team (recent projects: include CCTV, Local Link Bus Service Survey, Explore & Restore; Interactive Heritage Tour, funding secured for new paths at Loughnaneane Park, lighting up Roscommon Castle, Coach turning area at Castle, Edenville House Flagship Cultural Tourism Project.
PRO Roscommon Chartrette Twinning Committee Successful trip to Chartrettes in 2018 to celebrate twenty years of twinning; We are presently organising 21st Anniversary celebrations (May 2019) where we will host visitors from Chartrettes with Roscommon County Council and Roscommon Lamb Festival.
Member and Chairperson, Roscommon Community Sports Park ( 2009 - 2018)
Development of Roscommon Community Sports Park including Astro Turf Pitch, car park, secured part funding from Sports Capital Grant for next phase of project i.e. development of Changing rooms and Toilets and Changing Places faciliities - due to Open Spring/Summer 2020..
Director, Roscommon Women’s Network (2005 – 2015) (Voluntary role)
Member of Roscommon Lion’s Club, Quad, Youth Centre Development Committee (2005 – Quad opened June 2009 – Official Opening by President McAlesse 2010. Celebrating 10 years June 2019.
Development of The Quad Youth Centre in Roscommon Town which is managed by Foroige and offers supports to young people in Roscommon Town and environs. Courses include Citizenship, Coding (Coder do jo), video editing... It also provides important community space for hire at an affordable rate in Roscommon Town. Other activities provided at The Quad include drama, karate, dance...
Other Experience:
Deputy Mayor Roscommon County Council (2013-2014);
Former member of: GRETB, formerly Roscommon VEC; Chairperson Roscommon VEC (2010);
Former member Board of Governors, Athlone Institute of Technology;
Roscommon Joint Policing Committee;
Former Board of Managements Roscommon Community College and Castlerea Community School;
Roscommon Civic Trust: Edenville House (Cultural Heritage Tourism project);
Former member (Board of Directors) Tulsk Action Group (Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre) & Roscommon Disability Support Group, Derrane.
Cllr. Orla Leyden actively works with Local Resident Associations, Tidy Towns Groups, Fundraising Initiatives and Community Groups to realise important projects for the community.
Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council (June 2017 – June 2018)
It was an honour to represent Roscommon as Cathaoirleach at home and abroad from June 2017 to June 2018 and appreciating the work of incredible communities throughout the County and welcoming investor and other visitors to Roscommon during the year.
With visits to the County Roscommon Associations in Manchester, New York and a visit to the Ireland West Trade Centre, Providence, Rhode Island and Chartrettes, France for 20th Anniversary of Roscommon Chartrettes Twinning.
Initiated the Cathaoirleach’s Creative Citizenship Awards; Initiated Votail 100 Roscommon Commemorative Lecture Programme. Held in the magnificent King House, Boyle in April 2018. This event celebrated the centenary of women’s suffrage and reflected on Margaret Cousin’s legacy and the pioneering work of the Irish Women’s Franchise League which she founded with Hannah Sheehy Skeffington.
I welcomed the participation of the Vótáil 100 Steering Committee through its Chairperson Senator Ivana Bacik and also welcomed the involvement of the National Library of Ireland and National Museum of Ireland, two of Ireland’s pivotal cultural institutions who through images, sources and analysis of objects of the Irish Women’s Suffrage bring us closer to understanding this historic period. This commemorative programme also provided an analysis of women’s participation in politics in 2018, looking at candidate selection, gender quotas and the response of political parties.
It was my hope that the Roscommon’s Vótáil 100 event would create a space to advance the participation of women in politics now - this would be a fitting legacy to the memory of Margaret Cousins and Hannah Sheehy Skeffington, founders of the Irish Women’s Franchise League and Countess Markevich, first woman T.D. in the revolutionary first Dáil.
Commissioning Editor / Project Co-ordinator - Along by the River: Discover the River Suck
Working with Suck Valley Development Co-operative / Suck Valley Angling Hub (voluntary role).
September 2015 – October 2016
Commissioning Editor / Project co-ordinator – Film documentary “Along by the River: Discover the River Suck” produced by Mimar Media, commissioned by the Suck Valley Development Co-operative and Suck Valley Angling Hub (Voluntary role) .
Film documentary was premiered at Roscommon Arts Centre and also shown in Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre and Athleague Community Centre. See Along by the River: Discover the River Suck film Youtube channel for promotional film edits. Film documentary available to purchase on www.discoversuckvalleyway.ie
I also initiated and sourced funding and prepared spec for new Suck Valley Way website and worked with committee and webdesigner on initial design and layout www.discoversuckvalleyway.ie
Project Co-ordinator – Inland Fisheries Ireland, NSAD funded Angling Infrastructure projects (on behalf of Suck Valley Development co-operative / Suck Valley Angling Hub) (Voluntary role)
Development of 30 metres additional angling platform – Stoneham’s lake
& Gravel paths to Fishing pegs, Emlaghroyin, Oran. (completed 2018)
Researcher (voluntary role)
Roscommon Women's Network (February 2014 – April 2014)
W.I.N.D.O.W. (Women Initiating Development Opportunities for Women) Evaluation Report, April 2014.
Evaluation of Roscommon Women's Network, W.I.N.D.O.W. (Women Initiating Development Opportunities for Women) project.
I carried out this research and compiled the report on a voluntary basis in support of the gender equality work of Roscommon Women's Network. I worked closely with Maria Harris, RWN Project Development Worker on the research. I focused on qualitative research through focus group discussions with W.I.N.D.O.W. participants and research questionnaires with steering group members, agencies, organisations and counsellors involved with the project. Maria Harris focused on quantitative data from the W.I.N.D.O.W. project which was invaluable to the evaluation process. I would like to thank Dr. Anne Byrne, NUI, Galway for her guidance around the empirical research and for generously agreeing to write a forward to this report.
Secondary School: Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Roscommon Town.
Orla has a background in community development and social research. She holds a B.A. International in Political Science & Sociology and Italian (2:1); M.Litt (Masters) in Political Science and Sociology (1:1); Diploma in Community Development Practice, NUI, Galway.
Public Representative
June 2004 – to present day.
Current Cathaoirleach of Roscommon Municipal District.
Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council (June 2017 - June 2018);
Cathaoirleach of Roscommon Municipal District (June 2016 - June 2017);
Chairperson of Economic Development & Enterprise Support SPC (including Tourism, Culture & Libraries).
Member of Environmental and Emergency Services, Strategic Policy Committee.
Chairperson of Climate Action Sub-committee.
Member, Roscommon Town Team (recent projects: include CCTV, Local Link Bus Service Survey, Explore & Restore; Interactive Heritage Tour, funding secured for new paths at Loughnaneane Park, lighting up Roscommon Castle, Coach turning area at Castle, Edenville House Flagship Cultural Tourism Project.
PRO Roscommon Chartrette Twinning Committee Successful trip to Chartrettes in 2018 to celebrate twenty years of twinning; We are presently organising 21st Anniversary celebrations (May 2019) where we will host visitors from Chartrettes with Roscommon County Council and Roscommon Lamb Festival.
Member and Chairperson, Roscommon Community Sports Park ( 2009 - 2018)
Development of Roscommon Community Sports Park including Astro Turf Pitch, car park, secured part funding from Sports Capital Grant for next phase of project i.e. development of Changing rooms and Toilets and Changing Places faciliities - due to Open Spring/Summer 2020..
Director, Roscommon Women’s Network (2005 – 2015) (Voluntary role)
Member of Roscommon Lion’s Club, Quad, Youth Centre Development Committee (2005 – Quad opened June 2009 – Official Opening by President McAlesse 2010. Celebrating 10 years June 2019.
Development of The Quad Youth Centre in Roscommon Town which is managed by Foroige and offers supports to young people in Roscommon Town and environs. Courses include Citizenship, Coding (Coder do jo), video editing... It also provides important community space for hire at an affordable rate in Roscommon Town. Other activities provided at The Quad include drama, karate, dance...
Other Experience:
Deputy Mayor Roscommon County Council (2013-2014);
Former member of: GRETB, formerly Roscommon VEC; Chairperson Roscommon VEC (2010);
Former member Board of Governors, Athlone Institute of Technology;
Roscommon Joint Policing Committee;
Former Board of Managements Roscommon Community College and Castlerea Community School;
Roscommon Civic Trust: Edenville House (Cultural Heritage Tourism project);
Former member (Board of Directors) Tulsk Action Group (Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre) & Roscommon Disability Support Group, Derrane.
Cllr. Orla Leyden actively works with Local Resident Associations, Tidy Towns Groups, Fundraising Initiatives and Community Groups to realise important projects for the community.
Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council (June 2017 – June 2018)
It was an honour to represent Roscommon as Cathaoirleach at home and abroad from June 2017 to June 2018 and appreciating the work of incredible communities throughout the County and welcoming investor and other visitors to Roscommon during the year.
With visits to the County Roscommon Associations in Manchester, New York and a visit to the Ireland West Trade Centre, Providence, Rhode Island and Chartrettes, France for 20th Anniversary of Roscommon Chartrettes Twinning.
Initiated the Cathaoirleach’s Creative Citizenship Awards; Initiated Votail 100 Roscommon Commemorative Lecture Programme. Held in the magnificent King House, Boyle in April 2018. This event celebrated the centenary of women’s suffrage and reflected on Margaret Cousin’s legacy and the pioneering work of the Irish Women’s Franchise League which she founded with Hannah Sheehy Skeffington.
I welcomed the participation of the Vótáil 100 Steering Committee through its Chairperson Senator Ivana Bacik and also welcomed the involvement of the National Library of Ireland and National Museum of Ireland, two of Ireland’s pivotal cultural institutions who through images, sources and analysis of objects of the Irish Women’s Suffrage bring us closer to understanding this historic period. This commemorative programme also provided an analysis of women’s participation in politics in 2018, looking at candidate selection, gender quotas and the response of political parties.
It was my hope that the Roscommon’s Vótáil 100 event would create a space to advance the participation of women in politics now - this would be a fitting legacy to the memory of Margaret Cousins and Hannah Sheehy Skeffington, founders of the Irish Women’s Franchise League and Countess Markevich, first woman T.D. in the revolutionary first Dáil.
Commissioning Editor / Project Co-ordinator - Along by the River: Discover the River Suck
Working with Suck Valley Development Co-operative / Suck Valley Angling Hub (voluntary role).
September 2015 – October 2016
Commissioning Editor / Project co-ordinator – Film documentary “Along by the River: Discover the River Suck” produced by Mimar Media, commissioned by the Suck Valley Development Co-operative and Suck Valley Angling Hub (Voluntary role) .
Film documentary was premiered at Roscommon Arts Centre and also shown in Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre and Athleague Community Centre. See Along by the River: Discover the River Suck film Youtube channel for promotional film edits. Film documentary available to purchase on www.discoversuckvalleyway.ie
I also initiated and sourced funding and prepared spec for new Suck Valley Way website and worked with committee and webdesigner on initial design and layout www.discoversuckvalleyway.ie
Project Co-ordinator – Inland Fisheries Ireland, NSAD funded Angling Infrastructure projects (on behalf of Suck Valley Development co-operative / Suck Valley Angling Hub) (Voluntary role)
Development of 30 metres additional angling platform – Stoneham’s lake
& Gravel paths to Fishing pegs, Emlaghroyin, Oran. (completed 2018)
Researcher (voluntary role)
Roscommon Women's Network (February 2014 – April 2014)
W.I.N.D.O.W. (Women Initiating Development Opportunities for Women) Evaluation Report, April 2014.
Evaluation of Roscommon Women's Network, W.I.N.D.O.W. (Women Initiating Development Opportunities for Women) project.
I carried out this research and compiled the report on a voluntary basis in support of the gender equality work of Roscommon Women's Network. I worked closely with Maria Harris, RWN Project Development Worker on the research. I focused on qualitative research through focus group discussions with W.I.N.D.O.W. participants and research questionnaires with steering group members, agencies, organisations and counsellors involved with the project. Maria Harris focused on quantitative data from the W.I.N.D.O.W. project which was invaluable to the evaluation process. I would like to thank Dr. Anne Byrne, NUI, Galway for her guidance around the empirical research and for generously agreeing to write a forward to this report.
