Saoirse McHugh
Saoirse McHugh (born 23 June 1990) is an Irish environmentalist and former Green Party politician. She was born in the United States and moved to Achill Island, County Mayo, Ireland, with her family when she was two. She studied genetics at University College Dublin and earned a master’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security from Lancaster University. She describes herself as an environmentalist, a democratic socialist, and a grower, and she aims for an eco-socialist society.
McHugh ran for office several times: in the 2019 European Parliament election in Ireland (Midlands–North-West) as a Green Party candidate; in the 2020 Irish general election; and the 2020 Seanad election. She was not elected in any of these races. She left the Green Party in July 2020.
She lives on Achill with her partner Colm Cafferkey. Her aunt’s home on Achill was damaged by a storm in 2014, an event that helped shape her activism. She continues environmental work, including on rewilding.
In 2024 she ran as an independent candidate in the Midlands–North-West for the European Parliament, but was not elected.
McHugh is an eco-socialist who argues that capitalism drives environmental harm and inequality. She criticizes incremental, individual actions as not enough and believes climate action requires major social and economic change. She has criticized the Greens for joining a coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
She identifies as a feminist but says true feminism must address capitalism and the needs of migrants and women of colour, not just women in power. She has spoken about her struggle with bulimia, which began at age 13, and the difficulties she faced when seeking medical help.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 08:05 (CET).