1 box here from Stoneybatter in Dublin Central - Daniel Ennis (Social Democrats) out on top here. pic.twitter.com/9Y5wkqlrSs

— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) May 23, 2026

From Emma in Salthill (again, health warning etc):

“Seems to be a lot of city boxes open, I can see a lot of ‘transfer lefts’. There’s plenty of number ones for Labour’s Helen Ogbu and Sinn Féin’s Mark Lohan.

“Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard and Noel Thomas of Independent Ireland also getting plenty of first preferences.”

From Jane at the RDS: 

“A lot of inner city boxes being opened so far and from a very early impression it looks like Sinn Féin have done a good job getting the vote out.”

Now that’s a very early take indeed, and comes with a health warning the size of the RDS showjumping arena.

As you’d only expect, we’ll be staffing this liveblog till the death tonight – or until we have new TDs elected, whichever comes first. 

You can also keep track of all the action at the count centres via our dedicated politics account on X, where Jane (at the RDS) and Emma (in Salthill) are posting updates. 

And we are off! pic.twitter.com/frROTNFsFA

— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) May 23, 2026

The ballot boxes have been opened in Galway Lawn Tennis Club, Salthill for the Galway West byelection count.

Stick with us throughout the day for all from here and the RDS in Dublin. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/zYg3YUMbtZ

— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) May 23, 2026

Turnout in Dublin yesterday was at 39%, while in Galway it was around 45%. 

Here’s a rundown of the candidates, in case you need one handy: 

Dublin Central:

• Janice Boylan (Sinn Féin)
• Tony Corrigan (Independent)
• Daniel Ennis (Social Democrats)
• Colm Joseph Flood (Independent)
• Mannix Flynn (Independent)
• Janet Horner (Green Party)
• Gerard Hutch (Independent)
• Ray McAdam (Fine Gael)
• Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin (People Before Profit)
• Ruth O’Dea (The Labour Party)
• Ian Noel Smyth (Aontú)
• Malachy Steenson (Independent)
• John Stephens (Fianna Fáil)

Galway West: 

• Néill Bairéad (Independent)
• AJ Cahill (The Irish People)
• Mike Cubbard (Independent)
• Patrick Feeney (Independent)
• Sheila Garrity (Independent)
• Cillian Keane (Fianna Fáil)
• Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
• Mark Lohan (Sinn Féin)
• Niall Murphy (Green Party)
• Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich (Social Democrats)
• Orla Nugent (Aontú)
• Helen Ogbu (The Labour Party)
• Denman Rooke (People Before Profit)
• Michael Ryan (Independent)
• Noel Thomas (Independent Ireland)
• Thomas Welby (Independent)

Hedging his bets, Cork-based businessman John O’Leary is running as an Independent  in both Dublin and Galway.

Good morning and welcome to today’s live coverage of the two byelection counts. 

Boxes are due to be opened any minute now. 

In the meantime, why not catch up with this piece from our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews on how we expect the day to play out.