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Cillian Keane pictured with social protection minister Dara Calleary yesterday. Fianna Fáil
cillian keane
Fianna Fáil pick 25-year-old councillor as their candidate for the Galway bye-election
Keane became one of the youngest councillors in the country when he was elected in Athenry at the age of 23.
FIANNA FÁIL HAS selected a 25-year-old councillor to contest the upcoming Galway West bye-election.
Councillor Cillian Keane was chosen at a party convention in Salthill last night, beating off competition from two other Galway councillors for the nomination.
From Maree in Oranmore, Keane was elected to Galway County Council in 2024 at the age of 23, becoming one of the youngest councillors in the country.
He holds a degree in Food and Agribusiness Management from UCD and has also previously been elected to Fianna Fáil’s Committee of 15.
Speaking after his selection, Keane said he was “delighted” and promised to campaign on key issues including housing, infrastructure and healthcare.
“I believe as someone young and energetic, I can offer a clear new voice for both Fianna Fáil and Galway West,” Keane said.
Addressing party delegates last night, he said: “In 1975, Galway West selected a 24 year-old Máire Geoghegan-Quinn who went on to lead Fianna Fáil to victory in that bye-election. Tonight I am asking you to show that same belief again, belief in youth, in energy and in a strong organisation.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin congratulated Keane on his selection, describing him as “young and dynamic” and saying he would “make a difference”.
“Cillian is an experienced councillor and understands what Galway needs at a national level,” Martin said.
Congratulations to Cllr Cillian Keane on his selection as Fianna Fáil candidate in the Galway West Bye-Election.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 29, 2026
He is young and dynamic, with a great commitment to public service. He will make a difference. https://t.co/iwU0xMpew1
The bye-election was triggered by the election of Catherine Connolly as President, who vacated her Dáil seat in October.
Keane joins a crowded field of candidates, including independent Galway mayor Mike Cubbard, Fine Gael senator Seán Kyne, Labour Councillor Helen Ogbu, Sinn Féin’s Mark Lohan, the Social Democrats’ Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich, Independent Ireland’s Noel Thomas, Aontú’s Orla Nugent, the Green Party’s Niall Murphy, People Before Profit’s Denman Rooke and Independent candidates Thomas Welby and Dr Sheila Garrity.
Candidates on the left are also hoping to replicate the momentum of Connolly’s presidential campaign, with a number of them backing a “vote left, transfer left” strategy for the bye-election.
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