Catherine Connolly is an Independent Teachta Dála for Galway West/South Mayo, elected for the first time in 2016. Catherine is the Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann and a member of the Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands.

Prior to her election to Dáil Éireann in 2016, Catherine was a City Councillor for 17 years having been first elected to Galway City Council in the West local electoral area in June 1999 and subsequently re-elected in the South local electoral area in 2004. In that same year Catherine was elected Mayor of the City.

Originally from Shantalla, Catherine has lived in the Claddagh since 1988. Catherine has previously worked as a barrister and as a Clinical Psychologist with the Western Health Board in Ballinasloe, Conamara and Galway City.