Independent County Councillor Niamh Kennedy has been elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council.
The Killybegs councillor was proposed by newly-elected County Councillor Pauric McGarvey and second by Councillor Martin Farren.
Councillor Kennedy is just one of three women on the newly-formed county council.
She is the first Independent woman councillor to be elected as Cathaoirleach and only the fourth woman in the 125 year history of Donegal County Council.
Councillor Tomas Sean Devine of the 100% Redress Party was also nominated by Councillor Frank McBrearty and seconded by Councillor Micheal Mac Giolla Cholm Easbuig.
The election was put to a vote and Councillor Kennedy was elected on a vote of 27-9 votes.
Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh was elected as Leas Cathaoirleach after being nominated by Martin Harley and second by Councillor Manus Boyle.
Councillor Frank McBrearty then nominated Joy Beard of the 100% Redress Party but failed to receive a seconder for his nomination leaving Councillor Kavanagh to be returned as Leas Cathaoirleach.
The remainder of the meeting will be used to choose the various members of the various committees for the year ahead.
