Known as “taking silk”, the Call to the Inner Bar marks the transition from Junior Counsel to Senior Counsel. The distinction recognises barristers whose professional standing, experience and expertise equip them to undertake work of particular complexity and significance.

Seven of the 17 barristers called this year are women. The Bar of Ireland has 2,084 members, including 380 Senior Counsel. Women account for 783 members overall and 83 of those practising as Senior Counsel.

Alongside Dublin, the group has links stretching from Monaghan Town, Bettystown and Drogheda in the north-east to Bray, Wexford, Newbridge, Clonmel, Mitchelstown, Tipperary and Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo. This broad geographic spread highlights the depth of legal talent emerging from communities throughout the country.

Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, Séamus Clarke SC, said: “Taking silk is a significant achievement and a mark of the trust placed in these barristers’ judgement, expertise and professional integrity. Senior Counsel play a vital role in the most complex and consequential cases before our courts, while upholding the independence and high standards of the profession. On behalf of The Bar of Ireland, I warmly congratulate each of our new Senior Counsel and wish them every success in this next chapter of their careers.”

The barristers called to the Inner Bar are as follows: Barra Faughnan, Damien Keaney, Rosemary Mallon, Neasa Bird, Sinéad Gleeson, Gráinne Fahey, David Leonard, Dylan Redmond, Conor Feeney, Paul Brady, Kate Egan, Ellen Gleeson, John Moher, Ross Aylward, Caoimhe Daly and Francis Kieran.