Barry Ward (politician)


Barry Ward is an Irish Fine Gael politician who was elected to Seanad Éireann in April 2020.

Early life and education

Ward is originally from Deansgrange and is a qualified barrister. He is a graduate of University College Dublin, serving as auditor of the Literary & Historical Society in 1998–1999.

Political career

Ward worked as a legal advisor to Enda Kenny.
He was elected to Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council at the 2009 Irish local elections. In 2011, he stood unsuccessfully at the Seanad election for the Administrative Panel. In 2012, he received over €10,000 from the council to finance a M.A. in economic policy from Trinity College Dublin. In 2016, Ward organised a John A. Costello commemoration in Deans Grange Cemetery. In 2020, he came to media attention when he proposed a ban on single-use plastics in takeaways in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. He also promoted the Sutton-to-Sandycove greenway.
Ward stood unsuccessfully in DĂşn Laoghaire in the 2020 general election; he won 9.2% of first preference votes and finished seventh.
Ward was elected at the 2020 Seanad election for the Industrial and Commercial Panel.

Personal life

Ward lives in Deansgrange.