1899 to 1922

Prior to 1899, the primary function of the county was as a judicial area, overseen by the High Sheriff of Kerry. The county had a grand jury, usually comprising the main landowners, appointed by the county's judges. Grand juries gradually took on various administrative functions, such as the maintenance of roads, bridges and asylums.^[3] Elected county councils were established in 1899 under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, legislation passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, of which Ireland formed a part at that time. The new county council took over the administrative functions of the grand jury.^[4][5][6] The introduction of county councils to Ireland followed their establishment in England and Wales in 1889 and Scotland in 1890.^[7]

The first election was held on 6 April 1899, and the council first met on 22 April at Tralee Courthouse (built 1830–1835)^[8] where the grand jury had also held its meetings. St John Henry Donovan, a nationalist from Tralee, was appointed the first chairman of the council.^[9][10] The first council had 30 members. Of these, 22 were directly elected for single-member county electoral divisions. The remainder of the council consisted of the chairmen of the six rural district councils, who were ex officio members, and an additional two members who were chosen by co-option.^[7] Elections of the entire council were held every three years.^[7]

The method of election was changed to proportional representation under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1919, with the first elections under the new system held on 2 June 1920. The election took place during the Irish War of Independence, and control of the council was won by Sinn Féin.^[11]

Post-independence

Following the independence of the Irish Free State in 1922, responsibility for local government was taken by the new government.

During the Irish Civil War, the government used its powers to dissolve the council in May 1923, with a commissioner appointed to conduct the business of the council. A new council was elected in May 1926.^[7] In September 1930 the council was again dissolved and a commissioner appointed. Following the election of a Fianna Fáil government, the Councillors displaced in 1930 were restored to office in May 1932.^[7]

In 1942 the number of Councillors was reduced from 30 to 26. At the same time, the county management system was introduced.^[7] The council was again dissolved in May 1945, with elections resuming in October 1948. In 1953 the term of office for councillors was increased from 3 to 5 years, and in 1985 the number of Councillors was increased to 27.^[7][12]

The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment.^[13]

2024 seats summary

Councillors by electoral area

This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.^[23]

Notes