To Introduce Myself…
I’m Rob Carry - your Independent Candidate for Wicklow.
I’m 42 years old, and I both live and work in beautiful Wicklow. I'm a business owner - my businesses are based in Bray. I live, meanwhile, in a rural area close to Wicklow Town and the lovely village of Glenealy.
Why Politics
My interest in politics and current affairs goes back as long as I can remember. I recall buying a broadsheet newspaper on my way to school most mornings and reading it over the lunch table – much to the amusement of friends and teachers.
Upon finishing school, I went to UCD where I got a degree in History and Politics. Graduating was a proud moment – I’m from a working class background and I was the first in my extended family to secure a third level qualification.
I got a Masters in Journalism a year later and went on to work for a string of publications both here in Ireland and overseas. Much of my work dealt with the domestic and overseas property market.
A Life in Sport
I’m a life-long martial artist and I fought at professional level. After 10 years working in the media I decided to turn my hobby into my profession. In 2014 I established what has grown to become the biggest martial arts club in Wicklow, Jai Sua Martial Arts.
I decided to leave the media to focus on business, and I now also run BLOC – a large commercial gym in Bray.
A Part of the Community
The facility we have built - containing our gym and martial arts club - boasts some 500 regular members and we've become a real focal point for the local community.
I’ve seen first hand the level to which involvement in martial arts can improve people’s lives. So when I established our club I wanted to develop it into an asset for the entire community to use.
So, as well as the usual schedule of kids and adult classes, we also have a women-only class that have proven a great way to increase female participation in sport. We also have completely free women's self-defence classes.
We provide discounted training to a number of additional needs groups. We have been lucky enough to coach a crew of inspiring young people from Festina Lente and the National Learning Network. This has given me a real insight into the challenges faced by those with additional needs. It also brought home the unbelievable work these organisations and their staff and volunteers put in.
Charity work has been a focus of mine for many years. I’ve been able to organise fundraisers for a string of superb charities including Bray-based homeless charity Five Loaves, Medical Aid for Palestine and Breast Cancer Ireland.
My Political Journey
At the beginning of 2024, I decided to get involved in politics. I had one goal in mind – to effect as much positive change to my community and country as I could.
I decided to stand in the local election in Bray West as an Independent candidate. With a tiny, self-funded budget I stood against big hitters from the Green Party, Fine Gael, the Social Democrats and Sinn Fein.
In the end, I narrowly missed out to the big teams on a seat on the very last count. However, it was a fantastic experience and while canvassing, I got a real insight into what issues are a priority for people.
Concerns
There is a lot of frustration with the current Government on issues like housing, migration, health, mental health, the cost of living – but the people I spoke with are equally frustrated by the fact that the opposition has failed to stand up to them.
There’s also a growing belief out there that these politicians are increasingly disconnected from the Irish public.
The Government has been pre-occupied with Mother and Care referendums, the Hate Speech Bill and chasing tents up and down the Grand Canal. Meanwhile, the rest of us are worried about what country our children are going to end up in and whether we can heat our homes and fuel our cars.
I live in Wicklow, I work in Wicklow, I’ve family up and down the county and I feel exceptionally lucky to have been able to build a life in such an incredible part of the world. But I’m concerned. I don’t feel the county or the country are in good hands.
The Housing Crisis – From Lived Experience
Earlier this year myself and my partner bought our first home. We were over the moon - but buying a home in Ireland in 2024 is a bruising experience. But it gave me a real understanding of what people both in the rental housing market and those trying to get onto the property ladder are going through.
I don’t think the stress of saving a deposit while paying crazy rent is something Simon Harris or Stephen Donnelly will be able to relate to.
The frustrating part is that it doesn't have to be like this. There are clear, straightforward solutions to the housing crisis. But the Government is ideologically incapable of seeing the wood from the trees. Under their watch, it will continue to spiral.
Shortages
Wicklow has a chronic shortage of homes, GPs, school places and SNAs. Hospital waiting lists are through the roof and traffic is getting out of control across the county. New housing estates are being thrown up without commensurate infrastructure and everyone is suffering as a result. These issues are the result of poor governance. The buck stops with our TDs.
Migrant centres with no planning permission are springing up all over the county and our hotels are closed to tourists. This has to stop – we need a return to normality.
But if the same faces are re-elected then Wicklow will get more of these same policies. I’m concerned that if something doesn’t change, in five more years Ireland and Wicklow will be unrecognisable.
The people of Wicklow have a right to have their voices heard on topics like immigration and housing – and that’s where independent candidates come in.
Independents – myself included – can and will call both the Government and the opposition out on the policies that are damaging to the county and the country. No party can tell me what I can and can't say which means I have one master - the people.
Please take a look through this site - at my 'Policies' page in particular. If you would like to learn more about my position on any issue, please get in touch.
Ready to Help?
Building an election campaign is a huge amount of work. If you can help in any way – from helping with flyers, attending meetings or offering any type of support – I’d love to hear from you.