Local Elections

Green Party European election candidate Ciarán Cuffe (left) and Social Democrats candidate Gary Gannon at the Simmonscourt count centre. Few predicted Gannon would do so well. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Social Democrats must heal divisions to capitalise on momentum
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan TD with local election candidates at the launch of the party’s local election manifesto in Dublin in May 2019. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill The Irish Times view of the Green Party’s deal-making
The review is due to conclude soon and Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe says he expects the authorities to take any necessary action to ensure the right of military personnel to vote. File photograph: Frank Miller Military review under way after Defence Forces election postal votes delayed
FULL LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS
Clare County Council: ‘When you are reared, I am running for election’
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan TD with local election candidates at the launch of the Green Party’s local election manifesto in Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/ The Irish Times Local election aftermath a wake-up call for Fine Gael
Jackie Healy-Rae jnr takes a break from canvassing to visit his grandfather Jackie’s grave in Kilgarvan, Co Kerry. Photograph: Don MacMonagle New to politics: Hazel Chu, Jackie Healy-Rae jnr and others on their political ambitions
Mary Lou McDonald: her leadership is not yet being questioned. But a poor general election could change that. Sinn Féin’s rise hid party divisions, but its descent may bring them to the fore

Communication is emerging as a main issue for the party as a whole, not just its leaders

Once the euphoria of this election dies down, particularly around the election of Ciarán Cuffe in Dublin, the Greens will have to face several tricky challenges and risks. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times Green Party faces three key challenges in wake of election success

What will the party do if it finds itself as the power broker after general election?

The increase in the Green vote means its current two Dáil seats – Eamon Ryan in Dublin Bay South and Catherine Martin in Dublin Rathdown – are secure. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire How will votes in the local elections influence next Dáil?

Parties will pore over results in the coming weeks to discern trends for the next general election

Galway County Council: Fianna Fáil takes 15 seats

All four Fianna Fáil candidates in the Tuam area were successful

Galway City Council: Green Party take two seats as six new councillors elected

Fine Gael’s Eddie Hoare took seat following recount that lasted more than 10 hours

Fingal County Council results: Greens gain three seats as 20-year-old student is elected

Support for independents falls as Labour, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael all gain seats

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: Remarkable success for Green Party

Poor results for Solidarity - People Before Profit and Sinn Féin

Dublin City Council: Chu sets the pace with Green Party making gains in all areas

Mannix Flynn tackles People Before Profit for acting like Isis

Donegal County Council: All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy elected

Controversial councillor John O’Donnell tops poll in electoral area

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan. The party’s local election vote of 5.6 per cent resulted in a haul of 49 councillors. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Labour, Greens and Social Democrats can play key role in next election

Left-wing alliance could have major say in formation of next government

Green party leader Eamon Ryan: may be a national treasure. Photograph: Ryan Gareth Chaney Collins Kathy Sheridan: Polls remind that resilience is a pillar of politics

Eamon Ryan and Terence Flanagan are beacons for struggle leading to success

Longford County Council: Four days of counting finally produces results

Independent Turlough McGovern receives highest number of first preference votes

John Paul Phelan (centre): Government would decide “in the next couple of weeks” on a citizens’ assembly. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times Government to proceed with plan for directly elected Limerick mayor

Minister of State John Paul Phelan confirms move after majority of voters back proposal

Cork County Council: Dramatic recount sees result turned on its head

Total of 107 candidates running in 55-seat constituency

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar arriving for a European People’s Party (EPP) meeting in Brussels. Photograph: Kenzo Triboullard/AFP Varadkar tells Independents in Government they will be told of any early Dáil dissolution

Taoiseach say his focus is on Brexit and on the budget, ‘so nobody need plan for an early election

Wicklow County Council: Ferris declared winner after two-day recount

Green Party councillor Steven Matthews topped poll in four-seater

Cork City Council: Sinn Féin’s representation cut in half

Lorna Bogue wins Green Party’s first seat on Cork City Council since 2004

Laois County Council: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael carve up the seats

Disappointing result for former GAA president Liam O’Neill

Fianna Fáil’s Mary Hanafin (left) and Kate Feeney (right) who were elected in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Photograph: Aidan Crawley Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown first ever council with 50-50 gender split

Women likely to secure less than a quarter of all seats in local government despite increase

Kildare County Council: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael dominate

Successes for Social Democrats, Greens and Labour in 40-seat constituency

Darragh O’Brien. Photograph Nick Bradshaw Fianna Fáil TD calls for inquiry into RTÉ-TG4 exit poll

Poll dominated news agenda for two days ‘as if it was gospel’, says Darragh O’Brien

Meath County Council: Star of Gogglebox takes seat in Navan

Emer Tóibín, sister of Aontú leader, was third seat for party nationally

Independent councillor Mannix Flynn Councillor Mannix Flynn compares People Before Profit to Isis

Independent councillor took fifth and final seat in South East Inner City

Sligo County Council results: ‘Democracy has made statement,’ says Joe Queenan

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil dominate, taking six and five seats respectively

Wexford County Council: Malcolm Byrne elected, but has sights on bigger battle

Fianna Fáil perform strongly but council chairman fails to make the cut

South Dublin County Council: Former UFC fighter Holohan elected

All 40 candidates announced with strong peformances for FF, FG and SF

Mayo County Council: Fine Gael claim four seats in Claremorris

Total of 63 candidates running in 30-seat constituency

Waterford City and County Council: Cardiac care campaigner tops poll

Veteran councillor Blaise Hannigan loses out in final count

Roscommon County Council: Independents dominate throughout county

Three FF candidates and former party councillor take four of six seats in one area

Westmeath County Council: Greens surprise with two seats

Louise Heavin and Hazel Smyth join nine Fianna Fáil and five Fine Gael councillors

Kerry County Council: Three Healy-Raes elected on first counts

Total of 62 candidates running in 33-seat constituency

Carlow County Council: People Before Profit claim seat for first time

Fianna Fáil secure an impressive 48% of vote in Carlow local electoral area

Kilkenny County Council: Brother of high-profile FF TD elected on 11th count

Total of 44 candidates running in 24-seat constituency

Monaghan County Council: ‘Take your monkey off my back’ McElvaney tells RTÉ

Sinn Féin maintain strong presence with six seats in the county

Limerick City and County Council: First Muslim councillor elected

Total of 92 candidates running in 40-seat constituency

Offaly County Council: Big blow for Sinn Féin while Greens claim first seat

Retired garda, and founder of the Irish Democratic Party, wins seat

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: there is “no need for an election” if the Government can continue to get its agenda through the Oireachtas. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA General election unlikely in next few weeks, says Varadkar

Green leader Eamon Ryan to work with all parties on climate-friendly goals and policies

Leo Varadkar on Fine Gael’s performance: “It was less than we had expected or hoped for, quite frankly”. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Varadkar disappointed by Fine Gael’s local election performance

Taoiseach acknowledges party performed below expectations, particularly in Dublin

Minister for Transport Shane Ross at the North Dublin count centre in the RDS Dublin: his home was targeted by a peaceful protest group. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Shane Ross allies lose seats in local elections

Kevin Daly and Seamus O’Neill fail to retain Glencullen Sandyford and Dundrum

Eamon Ryan at the local and European election count in the RDS, Dublin. Photograph: Collins Green leader Eamon Ryan sees ‘rainbow coalition’ in local government

Taoiseach says FG under-performed against expectations in local elections

Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin: The improvement on northside Dublin, allied with more modest improvements south of the Liffey, allows the party look Fine Gael in the eye in the capital. Photograph: Daragh McSweeney/Provision Results push Fianna Fáil ever closer to power and rehabilitation

Major gains in Dublin demonstrate sustained political recovery of Micheál Martin’s party

Louth County Council: Fianna Fáil big winners as Sinn Féin loses three seats

Gerry Adams said vote management issues had cost the party

Leo Varadkar at the count centre in the RDS, Dublin. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Taoiseach raises prospect of election but ‘not in next couple of days or weeks’

‘Others could pull the plug on the government’, says Leo Varadkar

Leitrim County Council: Only three women councillors in 18-seat chamber

Veteran Gerry Dolan re-elected after close finish

Cavan County Council: Sinn Féin prevent wipeout but lose three seats

Total of 33 candidates running in 18-seat constituency

Tipperary County Council: Michael Lowry’s team takes five seats

Total of 79 candidates running in 40-seat constituency

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald at the count centre in the RDS. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill The Sinn Féin election post-mortem could be pretty brutal

Some hard thinking and hard choices await Mary Lou McDonald

Councillor Punam Rane: “I am coming from a very strong education background and that’s where I feel I can make a difference.” Indian-born councillor Punam Rane gets elected

No sign of prejudice after ‘knocking every day for the last six months on every door’

Green Party winners Patrick Costello and Hazel Chu with their daughter Alex in the RDS, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins New Dublin councillor Hazel Chu and fiance celebrate double win

Green election victories for Chu and partner Patrick Costello

Lettie McCarthy of Labour looks set to be re-elected in Glencullen, Co Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times Labour’s expected resurgence swept away by the Green wave

Labour is still struggling to find relevancy and faces an uphill battle to gain seats

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the City West convention centre in Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Elections 2019: Public want more action on climate, says Varadkar

Taoiseach says Green wave shows electorate want Government to ‘act faster’ on climate

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar voting in Scoil Thomas, Castleknock on Friday. Photograph: Aidan Crawley Elections 2019: Fine Gael took Dublin base for granted in bruising test of Varadkar

Green Party has on a massive scale taken Fine Gael’s urban support base

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and European candidate Ciarán Cuffe during counting in the local and European elections and divorce referendum at the RDS in Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire The new Green councillors you have never heard of before

As a Green wave sweeps the local elections, here is our guide to the names you need to know

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald at the RDS, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins ‘Sinn Féin aren’t crybabies’: Mary Lou McDonald reacts to party’s election results

SF leader says it was always going to be challenging to top party’s 2014 tally

Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin TD pictured at the Ireland South constituency and local election count in Nemo Rangers Sports Centre, Cork. Photograph: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision Martin rejects suggestion FF might trigger general election

Fianna Fáil leader pays tribute to Greens and says ‘we are positive about the future’

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin at the Ireland South constituency and local election count in Nemo Rangers Sports Centre in Cork. Photograph: Provision Fianna Fáil: Local election optimism outweighs European woes

Two candidate strategy in Midlands North West appears to have failed spectacularly

Votes are sorted as election boxes are open in the RDS Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Elections 2019: Climate change sees Greens move to centre of politics

Surge in support comes just a few short years after Green Party was rejected by voters

Ballots are counted in the European Parliamentary elections in Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Logistics not GAA delay local election count in Meath until Sunday

First count unlikely to be completed by midnight so plan to start afresh next day

The ballot boxes will be opened at 9am on Saturday but results of the local and European elections may not be known until early next week. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times. Vote 2019: What did we vote on and when will we get the results?

Keep up to speed with our ultimate guide to the European, local and referendum votes

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar after voting in Scoil Thomais in Castleknock, Dublin. His Fine Gael party is hoping to make gains in the local elections, although party figures do not expect it to overtake Fianna Fáil as the largest party in local government. Photograph: Aidan Crawley What trends to look out for in the local elections

Politicians in the main parties believe 2014 was the high water mark for harder left parties

President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins have cast their vote this morning at St Mary’s in the Phoenix Park. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Vote 2019: Polls close in local and European elections and divorce referendum

Voting on Friday took place in more than 6,500 polling stations across the country

A legal action may be mounted by Fine Gael challenging the result of the local elections in Sligo. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times Local election result may be challenged amid electoral fraud allegations

Fine Gael makes complaint to gardaí amid surge in number of postal votes in Sligo

A dog named Lucky waits for its owner to cast their vote in the polling station on Inishbofin on Thursday. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Vote 2019: Ireland heads to the polls for elections and referendum

Polls opened at 7am for local and European elections and divorce referendum

The local elections today will tell us something about the health of our democracy. File photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Wire The Irish Times view on the local elections: No excuse for not voting

Polling today will provide a necessary health check of Irish democracy

A garda superintendent from outside the Kerry Division has been assigned to investigate the alleged voter registration irregularities. File photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Wire Garda Ombudsman opens inquiry into Kerry voter registration

Separate Garda inquiry under way into claims forms were stamped without voter present

Two of the sticker designs to be used at Dublin polling stations on Friday as part of the ‘I’ve Voted’ initiative. Sticker campaign seeks to boost turnout in Dublin

‘I’ve Voted’ stickers designed by artists including Maser to encourage youth turnout

Local elections, Kimmage-Rathmines: Green Party local election candidate Patrick Costello canvasses in Harold’s Cross, Dublin. Photo : Laura Hutton/The Irish Times 'You can’t ignore it': BusConnects a crux issue in south Dublin

‘I’ll chain myself to those trees before I let them cut them down’ says one resident

Hazel Chu of the Green Party: ‘No matter what I do I will never be Irish to some people.’ Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Racism on the campaign trail: ‘One guy said all migrants are cancer’

Local election candidates have experienced racism online and had posters taken down

Amanda Hutchinson from Rathfarnham with her dog, Vance, and Wendy Mantle from Knocklyon with her dog, Brooke, in Bushy Park, Terenure, Dublin. Dog fouling: ‘Like drink-driving - we need a bigger campaign against it'

Pet poop one of the biggest complaints facing urban local election candidates

Councillor June Murphy (SD) said there’s still a ‘don’t get involved’ attitude toward domestic violence, especially in more rural areas where society is more tight-knit. Local election candidate calls for women’s refuge in Co Cork

Cllr June Murphy told council of her own experience of domestic abuse

Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin during the final Labour press event of the election campaign. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Labour and Greens hold talks on climate change co-operation

Micheál Martin says FF will not follow FG instruction in banning pacts with Sinn Féin

The primary school principal said he had no political affiliation. Principal defends sending letter to parents praising Fianna Fáil

‘In my 25 years, nobody from Fine Gael has ever called to the school or even phoned’

Labour’s Brian McDonagh said it was vital for democracy that sealed ballot boxes were witnessed being opened at local count centres. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Ballot papers being ‘shunted around’, say Fingal councillors

Politicians oppose plans for batch transportation procedures for votes on May 24th

Local candidates: what constitutes the massive workload of which they speak? Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill Kathy Sheridan: What is the point of county councillors?

Just 8.4% of funds flow through local government compared with Denmark’s 66%

Fine Gael general secretary Tom Curran with Tánaiste Simon Coveney. Mr Curran is sending a note to the chairs and whips of Fine Gael groups on every local authority outlining the policy. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Fine Gael orders councillors not to work with Sinn Féin after elections

Party headquarters sends directive to local leaders urging them not to enter pacts

The issue of Government spending has been one of main the topics of the local and European elections, with TDs from all parties reporting voter concern about projects such as the national children’s hospital and the National Broadband Plan. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times Fianna Fáil calls on watchdog to investigate big projects

Fine Gael accused of dishonesty over spending on big projects

Local election candidate Samantha Long canvasses with Senators Victor Boyhan (left) and Michael McDowell in Dartry, Dublin. Photograph: Laura Hutton Long is not short of Senators to help with her canvass

BusConnects, rural broadband and property tax are some of the issues that keep cropping up at Dublin doorsteps

Sinn Féin councillor Malachy Quinn and TD Louise O’Reilly talk to Siobhán Mulligan in Balbriggan. Photograph: Tom Honan The big issue of 2019’s local elections? ‘Housing, housing and housing’

On the canvass with six parties, climate change and broadband also dominate talk

Representatives from some of Ireland’s leading charities and The Wheel, outside Dublin City Council offices on Wood Quay. File photograph: Tom Honan Make sure your vote counts for Irish charities

Hundreds of local, European candidates have signed the Community Matters pledge

Local election candidate for the Skibbereen West Cork constituency Evie Nevin with Catherine Murphy TD. Photograph: Paul Sharp Call for grant scheme to help disabled local election candidates

Social Democrats launch disability manifesto as candidate highlights library inaccessibility

St Patrick’s Street in Cork. “Cork has amazing bone structure: the beautiful river, the harbour, the hills, the lovely architecture,” says Shane Clarke, chief executive of Nano Nagle Place. Photograph: Daragh McSweeney/Provision ‘Cork needs someone to stand up and beat their chest on its behalf’

Cork votes on Friday on whether it needs an elected mayor. Is it ready to make the decision?

When our political parties are asked about child poverty much is revealed in their answers What’s your policy on children? A party-by-party guide

In advance of next week’s local and European elections, we look at parties’ child poverty initiatives

The results of the upcoming elections will reverberate across the political landscape, potentially changing the course of politics and certainly leaving none of the parties unaffected. Photograph: Getty Images Pat Leahy: election results could make or break Varadkar and Martin

There are precedents of results in local and European elections signalling a transformation in Irish politics

Julia O’Reilly: wants one of Longford municipal district’s seven seats on May 24th. Photograph: Shelley Corcoran Traveller woman aims to win council seat and unite community

Mullingar-based married mother of two running as Independent in Longford

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and senior Ministers have for months been talking privately about the decline in support for Fine Gael in rural Ireland. Photograph: Laura Hutton FG reaches for beef and broadband as rural support slides

Analysis: Party aims to reverse dip in polls by showing concern for rural communities

The Aontú political party is ‘operating on fresh air’ but is already making a place for itself in Irish politics, its founder Peadar Tóibín TD has said. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Aontú making a place for itself in Irish politics, says Tóibín

Ex-SF TD criticises former party for asking London to legislate on abortion

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week at press conference on broadband plan. Photograph: Tom Honan Varadkar upbeat as rural canvassers report support for broadband plan

With two weeks to elections timing of major spend in rural Ireland good for Fine Gael

‘This was an evening for the patrons of The Bridge Tavern, a pub I have drank in for 40 years,’ said Nial Ring. Photograph: Google Street View Lord Mayor invites pub patrons to Mansion House

Two weeks before elections 50 visitors enjoy ‘an evening of refreshments, food and music’

AnnMarie Farrelly will hold the role until a permanent appointment is made by the Public Appointments Service. Fingal County Council appoints interim CEO

Paul Reid departed to become director general of the Health Service Executive

Cllr Duncan Smith (left) Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin and Cllr Dermot Lacey during the launch of The Labour Party’s manifesto for the local elections in Buswells Hotel, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Greens and Labour may 'claw their way back' in upcoming local elections, poll data shows

Breakdown of latest Irish Times poll numbers indicates growing support for both parties in Dublin

Grace McManus “Representation is important. It’s not everything. I want to be there because I’m skilled and I have the knowledge and I have worked hard to be there.” Photograph: Nick Bradshaw The next generation of women running in the local elections

More than 500 female candidates are contesting the local elections, many of them under 35

Satisfaction with Leo Varadkar has fallen by seven points to 36%, the lowest level since he became Taoiseach in 2017. Irish Times poll: Support for Varadkar and Government plummets again

Gap in backing for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil smallest in 2½ years while Sinn Féin also slips

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s satisfaction rating is down seven points to 36%. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Irish Times view on the Ipsos MRBI opinion poll: voters deliver mixed messages

Bad news for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar whose personal satisfaction rating continues to fall

Aontú’s Peadar Tóibín. It helps that the party has a real vision for fairness in everything. Our country desperately needs an alternative to the establishment’s entitled stagnancy. Photograph: Cyril Byrne Pro-life votes in upcoming elections can lay groundwork for future progress

Voters who care about the right to life must send a message to smug pro-choice parties