Overview
- Polling took place on Friday, May 22, with stations open 7am–10pm and turnout below 2024 general election levels at about 39% in Dublin Central and roughly 45% in Galway West.
- Ballot boxes were moved to count centres with Dublin Central papers sent to the RDS and 196 boxes from Galway West taken to Salthill, and counting began from 9am on Saturday, May 23.
- The contests feature 14 candidates in Dublin Central and 17 in Galway West using Ireland’s single transferable vote, so transfers and multiple exclusion rounds will be decisive and counts may run into Sunday.
- Dublin Central’s electorate was reduced by roughly 5,000–6,000 after a recent register cleanup removing duplicates and people who emigrated or died, and voting stations trialled an 'I'm a Voter' sticker scheme.
- Media and party analysis frame the results as a national barometer and a test of party leaders—particularly Sinn Féin’s performance—and independent candidates such as Gerry Hutch could influence outcomes through transfer flows even if they do not win.