Dublin Central And Galway West By-elections - 22/05/2026

Loafing Oaf · 23-04-2026 10:18AM #1

Thought it was time we had a dedicated thread for these eagerly-awaited contests since the 'writ was moved' (whatever that actually means) yesterday.

its_steve116 · 23-04-2026 10:40AM

Janice vs Janet in Dublin Central. Interesting.

Loafing Oaf · 23-04-2026 10:43AM

By the way is it by-election or bye-election? I always thought the former but most of the coverage of these elections seems to go with bye…

bored65 · 23-04-2026 10:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124415657#Comment_124415657

bye-election lately but both are used in statute book (site down at moment) 🤷‍♂️

its_steve116 · 23-04-2026 11:03AM

I have always used "by-election". The other spelling just seems wrong to me.

expectationlost · 23-04-2026 12:06PM

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/galway/news/galway-tiktok-personality-enters-by-election-race/a372176561.html

jaysus

Dial Hard · 23-04-2026 01:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124415855#Comment_124415855

Saw that earlier. These head-the-balls clearly haven't the slightest idea how difficult it is to win a by-election. I'd have my doubts about whether this particular one has ever even voted, tbh.

Dial Hard · 23-04-2026 01:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124415657#Comment_124415657

It's bye-election according to the Electoral Commission, but I've always used by-election, and in my experience it's the more common usage (and I've been working in public affairs related comms for years).

Bye-election - Electoral Commission https://share.google/2oAJMFQeDNyZA1MXY

Mr. CooL ICE · 23-04-2026 01:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124415646#Comment_124415646

I preferred Eoin O Broin vs Eoin O Broin from out my direction

Cluedo Monopoly · 23-04-2026 01:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124416098#Comment_124416098

Many of them don't want to win. They just want attention.

Pherekydes · 23-04-2026 02:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124416114#Comment_124416114

I voted them 1,2 🙃

its_steve116 · 23-04-2026 03:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124416106#Comment_124416106

That might be a spelling mistake on the website.

Dial Hard · 23-04-2026 04:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124416535#Comment_124416535

It's not. Both uses are considered correct and that's the one they use.

If it was a spelling mistake, it's the most remarkably consistent one I've ever seen, considering they use it throughout that page and across the wider site…

its_steve116 · 23-04-2026 09:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124416576#Comment_124416576

This page uses "by-election".

https://www.electoralcommission.ie/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/

Consonata · 24-04-2026 05:11PM

Seems like it'll be a straight shot between Ennis, Boylan and Horner for the Dublin Central bye election.

Will be interesting to see how it goes over the next few weeks

Loafing Oaf · 25-04-2026 09:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124419206#Comment_124419206

I don't think Horner is a serious contender, Ennis will sew up the soft left vote. It's his to lose unless Boyland can seriously up her game from the GE

bored65 · 25-04-2026 11:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124417286#Comment_124417286

It’s a mess

https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/section/2

Loafing Oaf · 07-05-2026 07:35PM

Very surprising (to me) result of the Galway West opinion poll

https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/inside-politics/polls-suggest-three-way-shootout-in-galway-west-byelection/

Would've put Ogbu down about tenth, maybe it's a sympathy vote for all the abuse she's getting.

I'd guess it's between Kyne and whoever emerges top of the leftfield. Don't think Thomas has a prayer on 16% FPV…

midlander12 · 07-05-2026 07:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124451261#Comment_124451261

Constituency polls don't have a great rep here or elsewhere but certainly this makes the byelection even more interesting than expected. I wouldn't have given FG a prayer myself but Thomas will attract transfers from Welby and also some from FF. Kyne would be relying on staying ahead of all the left candidates and also getting enough transfers from them to remain ahead, while they're for the most part transferring to each other.

Terrible figures for SF and the Connolly candidate.

zell12 · 07-05-2026 08:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124415657#Comment_124415657

fothoghchán 🙂

Loafing Oaf · 14-05-2026 12:38AM

I wonder SF's opposition to Holly Cairns's abortion bill be a major issue in the by-election campaigns? Can certainly see it being brought up in Dublin, given that it's essentially a SF v Soc Dems battle there…

astrofool · 14-05-2026 12:46AM

Boylan having to walk back conspiracies about fluoride, she doesn't seem the sharpest of people.

https://gript.ie/watch-sf-dublin-candidate-it-must-be-the-fluoride/

Also behind a paywall in the indo (the ditch managed to miss this one somehow).

expectationlost · 20-05-2026 08:07AM

https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-central-galway-west-byelection-spending-parties-posters-7044513-May2026/

The EU has newish political ad transparency laws, but the large social media companies like Facebook and Google refused to comply with them because they say they are too onerous, so the companies refuse to take political ads, so now Irish/EU political parties are publishing what they are spending on physical ads.

Fine Gael

Fianna Fáil

Sinn Féin

Social Democrats

Labour Party

Independent Ireland

People Before Profit

Aontú

Green Party

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/05/20/liz-carolan-we-finally-know-how-much-is-being-spent-to-influence-our-vote-at-least-thats-the-theory/

Red Silurian · 21-05-2026 09:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124466584#Comment_124466584

Yes it will likely resonate, especially with female and harder left voters - which could also boost the PBP candidate votes. A recent vote on restricting trade with Israel, which the government voted against, coupled with the video released this morning, would also not help the FF/FG candidates if the left can make that point on their campaign trails today

Red Silurian · 21-05-2026 09:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124451261#Comment_124451261

Agreed though, assuming Kyne on 17% gets the 8% preferences from FF it would put him on 25%, Ogbu on 12% should get the transfers from SF (7%) and SD (9%) putting her on 28%.

Can't see Thomas getting near those numbers so will be eliminated but his second preferences would likely decide the winners from those 2 so I'd tip Kyne to win for that reason.

Mind you voter preference could all change in the next few short hours