Election 2024

Election map explainer: how has it changed and how are counties and parties affected?

Election 2024: Last year’s constituency review shook up Dáil battlegrounds around the country

Illustration: Paul Scott
There are now 43 constituencies, up from 39 in the 2020 election. Illustration: Paul Scott
Cormac McQuinn's picture
Cormac McQuinn
Wed Nov 13 2024 - 17:00

Last year’s constituency review shook up Dáil battlegrounds around the country. There are now 43 constituencies, up from 39 in the 2020 election, with many boundaries redrawn.

There are four additional three-seaters this time around – constituencies where in general it tends to be harder (though not always) for smaller parties to win seats.

Here’s a round-up – from possible comebacks to the ‘constituency of death’ – of what the revamped electoral map could mean in 12 constituencies in Election 2024.

Cork South-Central

The home of Fianna Fáil leader and Tánaiste Micheál Martin gains a TD becoming a five-seater. That’s after the transfer of places like Bishopstown in the boundary review. Fianna Fáil should comfortably return two TDs. Fine Gael has three candidates in a constituency that sees the departure of high-profile TD Simon Coveney.

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Dublin Rathdown

The addition of Foxrock and Leopardstown saw Dublin Rathdown gain a seat to become a four-seater. This should help Fine Gael’s Neale Richmond and the Green Party’s Catherine Martin in their bids to return to the Dáil. Can former Fine Gael minister Alan Shatter – now an Independent – make a Dáil comeback?

Dublin Fingal West

This new three-seater includes Balbriggan, Skerries and parts of Santry. Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly should hold her seat. There will be a fierce battle for the other two between the Green Party’s outgoing TD Joe O’Brien and candidates from Labour, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Dublin West

Dublin West, which includes Blanchardstown and Castleknock, gains a TD and becomes a five-seater. Ministers Jack Chambers (FF) and Roderic O’Gorman (GP) should be returned along with Paul Donnelly (SF). Fine Gael Senator Emer Currie is seeking to hold former taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s seat.

Kildare North

This constituency is going from four to five seats, with incumbents James Lawless (FF), Bernard Durkan (FG) and Réada Cronin (SF) all seeking to retain theirs. This is made easier perhaps by the retirement of Social Democrats poll topper Catherine Murphy.

Laois

Laois is a new three-seater. The boundary review saw the return of some 10,500 people around Portarlington. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil should hold seats. Sinn Féin’s chances are in doubt. Its former TD Brian Stanley – who left the party in controversial circumstances – is running as an Independent.

Longford-Westmeath

The return of almost 9,500 Westmeath people from Meath West means an extra seat. This should help Fianna Fáil retain two TDs in the five-seater. Can Fine Gael pick up a second? Could there be an opportunity for former Independent TD Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran to return to the Dáil?

Mayo

Mayo gains a seat to bring it to five TDs. Electoral districts around Ballinrobe – previously in Galway West – have been returned. Fine Gael has a potentially risky four-candidate ticket as it seeks to grow its numbers.

Offaly

Just one outgoing TD, Independent Carol Nolan, is seeking re-election in what is now a three-seater that has opened up somewhat. Fianna Fáil will be keen to keep a seat after Barry Cowen’s departure to Europe.

Tipperary North

Tipperary is now two three-seaters. Independent Michael Lowry and Labour’s Alan Kelly are well placed to be returned in Tipperary North, which includes Nenagh and Thurles. With Fianna Fáil’s Jackie Cahill not running, his party, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin will battle it out for the other seat. There will be new voters from Kilkenny due to the boundary redraw.

Wicklow

With the south of the county chopped off, Wicklow is now a four-seat ‘constituency of death’. Incumbents Taoiseach Simon Harris (FG), Minister Stephen Donnelly (FF), John Brady (SF), Jennifer Whitmore (SD) and Steven Matthews (GP) will all fight it out on a smaller battlefield.

Wicklow-Wexford

Another new three-seat constituency, this includes Arklow in Wicklow and Gorey in Wexford. Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne is perhaps the best-known contender here.