2026 Galway West by-election

2026 Galway West by-election
2026
Location of Galway West within Ireland
TD before election

Catherine Connolly
Independent

TD

TBD

A by-election is due to be held in the Dáil constituency of Galway West in Ireland in 2026, to fill the vacancy left by the election of Catherine Connolly as president of Ireland.[1][2] Under Article 12.6.2° of the Constitution of Ireland, a member of either House of the Oireachtas who is elected as president is deemed to have vacated that seat. Connolly was declared elected as president on 25 October 2025. According to the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011, the writ for the by-election must be issued within six months of the vacancy.[3]

Constituency profile

The Dáil constituency of Galway West elects five TDs. It spans the western half of County Galway, taking in Galway city, the Galway Gaeltacht, Oranmore, Oughterard and Clifden.[4] At the 2024 general election, Galway West elected one Sinn Féin, one Fianna Fáil, one Fine Gael and two independent TDs (Catherine Connolly and Noel Grealish).[5][6]

Candidates

Potential

Among the potential candidates are Fine Gael senator and former TD Seán Kyne and Fianna Fáil senator Ollie Crowe.[7] Despite speculation about a joint left ticket, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party would stand its own candidate, but she reportedly stated that she would like to see a transfer pact between left-wing candidates.[8] Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said that her party would also stand its own candidate.[9] Independent Ireland plans to run councillor Noel Thomas, formerly of Fianna Fáil.[10] Mike Cubbard, an independent councillor and Mayor of Galway since June 2025, said that he was considering contesting the by-election.[11] Former Green councillor Niall Murphy also plans to seek nomination.[12] Other possible candidates are Helen Ogbu (Labour), Alan Curran (Social Democrats), Éamon Ó Cuív[13] (Fianna Fáil), Eibhlín Seoighthe[13] (Independent, formerly of the Social Democrats) and Catherine Connolly's son Stephen (Independent).[13][14] Thomas, Kyne, Cubbard, Seoighthe and Ogbu stood unsuccessfully in the constituency at the 2024 general election.[5]

Confirmed intention to stand

See also

References

  1. ^ Lenihan, Barry (26 October 2025). "Connolly win will prompt fascinating Galway by-election". RTÉ News. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  2. ^ Burne, Louise (19 October 2025). "Éamon Ó Cuív coy on Dáil run in Galway West if Catherine Connolly wins race for the Áras". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  3. ^ Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011, s. 2 (No. 14 of 2011, s. 2). Enacted on 25 July 2011. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 29 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Dáil Constituency Map Galway West 2024" (PDF). Government of Ireland. Tailte Éireann.
  5. ^ a b "General Election 2024 Results – Galway West". RTÉ News. December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  6. ^ "General Election Results". RTÉ News.
  7. ^ McGee, Harry (26 October 2025). "Former TD Eamon Ó Cuív declines to rule out return to contest Galway West byelection". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  8. ^ McQuinn, Cormac (26 October 2025). "Sinn Féin to run own candidate in byelection prompted by Catherine Connolly presidency win". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  9. ^ Coyne, Ellen (8 November 2025). "Sinn Féin promoting policies that 'are not left wing', says Holly Cairns". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  10. ^ a b Cionnaith, Fiachra Ó (28 October 2025). "Ex-FF cllr to run in by-election for Independent Ireland". RTÉ News. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  11. ^ Hickey, Emma (28 October 2025). "Runners and riders: Connolly's on her way to the Áras - so who might fill her Dáil seat?". The Journal.
  12. ^ "Former Green city councillor to contest Galway West bye-election". GalwayBayFM. 28 October 2025.
  13. ^ a b c McGee, Harry (26 October 2025). "Former TD Eamon Ó Cuív declines to rule out return to contest Galway West byelection". Irish Times. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  14. ^ Telford, Thomas (29 October 2025). "Galway West candidates confirmed for by election including clear frontrunner". Galway Beo.
  15. ^ "Niall Murphy announced as Green Party candidate for Galway West by-election". greenparty.ie. 6 December 2025.
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