Update 03:23
There area few formalities left, but we've had enough, and are emigrating somewhere quiet, like Mayo. Wecan't spell. we can't see anymore.
Respect to alll the candidates. It's a brave thing to do.
The work of the count staff, stewards, caterers and cleaners, carpenters, electricians and everyone else is immense, and important for our democracy.
From Una and Max - goodnight. It's been wild.
Don't do politics, kids.
Update 03:19
Noel Grealish (Ind ) has been elected to take the fifth and final seat in Galway West with 9,649 votes, just ahead of first-timer Noel Thomas (II ) on 9,649.
Update 03:15
Really tired-looking people are traipsing up the aisles to the business end of the Count Centre. Count coming.
Update 03:12
Looks like Grealish is going to attract around 1,100 transfers from Hildegarde. But it ain't over unti the lady in the trouser suit says so.
Update 03:00
Mike "Shocks" Shaughnessy just took our photograph. I think we're famous. Maybe one of us should run for office?
Update 02:27
Mother of Moses! We're gonna need a bigger spreadsheet. Quick. Run to the shop there young lad. Keep the change.
Update 02:15 - Count 15
John Connolly's surplus has been distributed, but neither Noel reached the quota. As Hildegarde Naughton's surplus either equals or exceeds that of the lowest candidate, her surplus of 895 will now be used. Another count so. Brilliant.
Update 02:00
Hildegarde's balllots are being counted. The counters will work out percentages of how many of her 895 surplus votes should go to Grealish, and how many should go to Thomas.
We think that's what is happening. But at this stage of the night, they might be playing snap.
Update 01:53
City councillor Terry O'Flaherty was mingling with Noel Grealish supporters earlier. Currently, Councilllor Declan McDonnell is at his right hand. Galway's former Progressive Democrats (PDs ) stick together.
Update 01:46
Noel Grealish (Ind ) has his jacket off, and is in shirt and tie now only. We don't know if that's important. But we thought you should know.
Update 01:40
Non transferable papers last count: 444. Which is a lot. Hildegarde Naughton and John Connolly cleared the quota by around 900 votes each.
Grealish is on 8,717.
Thomas is on 8,134.
For those down the back, quota is 10,047.
Update 01:29
We're expecting the final count soon. Noel Grealish (Ind ) was here earlier, but is out of sight at present. Noel Thomas has understandably not been present in the Count Centre today as his father, also Noel Thomas, passed away on Friday, and his removal was held today in Rosscahill - funeral tomorrow in Killannin at noon. RIP.
Update 01:23
And so the Count Centre in Salthill quietens down, and we get ready for out season finale: the Battle of the Noels.
Stay tuned.
Update 01:19
Hildegarde Naughton is congratulated by Returning Officer Marian Chambers Higgins, and is straight over for a quick interview with Galway Bay FM.
There is a crush of FF and FG party supporters trying to exit the building, and it's hard to tell which ones are which anymore, to be honest. Civil War politics is definitely over in Galway West,
Update 01:18
City Councillor Alan Cheevers is marshalling Fiana Fáil supporters for photos and back slapping with his party's new Galway West TD. Connolly looks delighted, and is hugged by family. There are FF senators, and councillors celebrating, but no sign of the mayor yet.
Update 01:08
John Connolly (FF ) and Hildegarde Naughton (FG ) have been elected to strains of Olé Olé Olé from Connolly's crew. The Barna man held a Galway flag aloft as his supporters hoisted him. The Fine Gael celebrations were more muted. Noone hoists Hildegarde.
There will be one more count for the final seat. Stats below.
Update 00:24
A feeling is emerging in Noel Thomas' camp that the Independent Ireland candidate is unlikley to be elected. Will Connemara be left without a resident TD for the first time in more than half a century? We expect Thomas supporters to drive a narrative that Kyne's transfers are enabling rural votes to be used to elect more city-focused candidates. The electors of Moycullen may view that differently. Whatever happens, there may be rows.
Update 00:07
Looks like Kyne is transferring well to John Connolly (FF ) and Hildegarde Naughton (FG ). Can't get an elbow in to the scrum to see what's happening re potential transfers to Noel Thomas (II ) yet. A county councillor with ten years under his belt in local politics (as a former Fianna Fáiler ) is bound to get a fair chunk. Dogs on the street say Grealish expects 700 transfers from Kyne, while Thomas should get around 500. Hard to know.
Should have brought a stepladder. Or binoculars. Or both.
Update 00:03
It's midnight. They let us outside to lick dew off the grass. Mars is glowing down from the night sky. The God of War watches all. Saturn twinkles. The jovial giant, is glistening in the night. What does this mean for the candidates?
Haven't a notion.
Update 23:54
Cllr John Connolly (FF ) and his wife Bernadette chatting to Eamon O Cuiv in the count centre earlier - it's looking like Connolly is set to inherit O Cuiv's seat in the next count.
Update 23:25
Sean Kyne (FG ) looks heartbroken. He is universally well regarded, and it's hard not to feel sympathy. But as we are vicious hacks, we feel nothing. Just empty vessels, who can type with two fingers.
Speaking to reporters, Kyne said he hopes his transfers go to Hildegarde Naughton (FG ) and that if elected, she should be rewarded with a senior cabinet position.
What remains to be seen, is if many of Kynes' votes go to fellow Connemara candidate, Moycullen-based Noel Thomas (II ). This must be the question rattling around Noel Grealish's fine, shiny head.
There may well be drama yet in Galway West.
Update 23:16 Count 13
Catherine Connolly's 531 surplus has been distributed. Sean Kyne (FG ) has been eliminated, and his running mate Hildegarde Naughton was straight over to offer commiserations. Straight over.
Details below.
Update 23:13
Returning Officer is making moves toward the mic. Stand by.
Update 23:06
It has been brought to our attention that a number of readers of this live account think we whould be paid more. We are not allowed to look at the internet, so we assume these reports are accurate. Please continue this campaign. There are hungry mouths to feed.
Meanwhile, who knew that Noel Grealish's tallymen will give it up for custard creams? Some reporting of real data to follow.
Update 22:52
Noel Grealish (Ind ) is feeling "good, but ask me after the next feckin' count". His team are clutching tally estimates tight. Considering trading stolen Oreos for hard political information.
Update 22:48
Some observers are estimating a late finish tonight. Journalists from competing publications are discussing time-off-in-lieu (TOIL ) arrangements in their respective employers. A national newspaper reporter admitted she has Oreos. Oh to have an expense account...
Update 22:33
There were a lot of Non Transferrable Papers in Count 12. 200 from memory. Judging by the bundles being organised by the outstanding count centre staff, there may be a similar number this time. These people are amazing. They can eat Taytos on a break, and then go back to counting like nothing ever happened. #CrispyFingers
Update 22:25
So some blogger is challenging our big news story that Galway West elected two women to Dáil Eireann. They're getting excited about Galway East electing two young lads in their twenties: Louis O'Hara (SF ) and Albert Dolan (FF ).
We don't recognise Galway East, and some of us are unsure if it even exists. Our lives are here, in a sweaty gym hall, eating Hallowe'en era mini kitkats, where some genius has covered the windows with insulating foam.
Update 22:19
Bit of a lull in proceedings, and we're daydreaming about being interviewed by Terry Wogan about witnessing the historic event, first hand, only feet away from the epicentre of Ireland's first constituency to elect two female parliamentarians, gold and silver medal, in a race for 5 seats.
Terry - So what was the most arresting image you remember?
Advertiser - Well Terry. I'm glad you asked that. We saw a lot of busy photographers' backsides...
Update 22:16
Will John Connolly (FF ) be elected next? Who might replace him on the Galway City Council? Will our laptop batteries explode before the Returning Officer comes back to the podium? These are the pressing questions in Galway West.
Update 22:10 - Count 12
Disregard our over-excited previous update. Rearranging the deck chairs really. Count 13 should be coming soon. Count 13 will be to redistribute Catherine Connolly's 531 surplus votes. Speed would be greatly appreciated at this stage.
Update 21:57
Count 12 incoming. This will separate the men from the boys. Hildegarde Naughton (FG ) still in it for the so-far triumphant women.
Update 21:51
John Connolly (FF ) supporter interrupting the man himself being interviewed by national radio. A bystander butts in: "Go way you. You wouldn't get elected in your own house!" #bantz
Update 21:31
John Connolly (FF ) is just 563 votes short of a quota. Noel Grealish (Ind ) needs 1,968, Hildegarde Naughton (FG ) needs 2,652, Noel Thomas (II ) 2,909, while Sean Kyne is 3,812 behind.
Update 21:15
HISTORIC is a word journalists shouldn't really use, but electing two women top of the pile really is massive. The West is aWoke.
Update 20:54
We've checked with experts, and it looks like Galway West is the first constituency in the history of the State to return two women in the top spots. Two Left-leaning women is the added, extra element. You just know tomorrow's papers will be full of Galway Girls... etc
Headlines write themselves, really.
Update 20:42 - Count 11
We have two TDs! They're like buses... Mairead Farrell (SF ) in pole position on 10,610 votes, closely followed by Catherine Connolly (Ind ) on 10,578.
Details coming.
Update 20:39
Whooping in the corner. Is there news? Someone just won €1200 on a bet on Paul Lawless in Mayo
Update: 20:31
There is a baby!!!! Call Time Magazine immediately. This is the one.
Update 20:28
A golden labrador has got involved. Repeat: A. Labrador. Has. Got. Involved. Photographers are really getting excited now for THE PICTURE with the two soon-to-be-successful female candidates, and a supporter's guide dog. Next thing you know, there'll be a baby presented.
Update 20:25
Media scrum around Mairead Farrell with supporters and family, and Catherine Connolly, with supporters and family. The two groups are converging, and the photographers are salivating. #scrummage
Update 20:16
You know someone's about to get elected when the photographers start hovering.
Update 20:09
Great work by the stewards at the Count Centre. A lot of people want to come in to watch the action, and the room is almost full. There is a smell of hope, and a sense of sweat. Is that right?
Update 20:06
Which woman will get elected first - and claim the coveted first seat? Farrell (SF ) or Connolly (Ind )? We reckon there is likely to be less than 50 votes in the difference.
Update 19:58
We're fully expecting Mairead Farrell (SF ) and Catherine Connolly (Ind ) to be elected very soon. Count staff have let it be known that they will announce the election in order of which elected candidate receives the highrest vote first. The Returning Officer had earlier requested that supporters delay any celebrations until all results are announced. They're all bursting with anticipation.
Update 19:25
Bald men have all left. Loads of fellas with beards have arrived. What is going on?
Update 19:09
Expectation is that the Social Democrats' almost 4,000 votes will mostly go to Catherine Connolly (Ind ) and Mairead Farrell (SF ), possibly electing TWO feamale TDs first - unheard of. The remainder of Eibhlín Seoighthe's votes are unclear. Her staff said they noticed early trends toward Helen Ogbu (Lab ) and Pauline O'Reilly (GP ), but their race is run.
Update 18:52 - Count 10
Eibhlínn Seoighthe (SD ) has been eliminated. Her 3,911 votes will now be distributed.
Update 18:45
Sean Kyne (FG ) is looking increasingly unlikely to win back the seat he lost in 2020. Some seasoned observers expect it may not be until his almost 6,000 votes are transferred that we see some real movement on the leader board for the 5 Galway West seats.
Update 18:38
Tally men unsure if we'll get a TD as the next count looms. Looks like running mate John Connolly (FF ) will get more than 1,000 of Gráinne Seoige's votes, but Catherine Connolly (Ind ) should get at least 800 too. Judging by the bundles being bound up, Hildegarde Naughton (FG ) will get a fair few too.
Update 18:35
Huge number of bald men in the room. Way beyond average. Does politics make your hair fall out? Discuss amongst yourselves.
Update 18:11
Looks like Galway West is the only constiturency not to elect anyone yet. Isn't it mighty to be famous for something?
Update 18:02
Poll-topper and outgoing Deputy Mairead Farrell (SF ) pictured with her supporters. With 585 votes separating her and Catherine Connolly, it looks increasingly likely that the first TD to be elected later this evening will be a woman. But it's all to play for yet.
Update 17:26 Count 9
Galway West's celebrity candidate, Gráinne Seoige, has been eliminated. No more show biz unfortunately. The Soc Dems took a big whack of Labour votes - 886 to be exact, but Eibhlín Seoighthe may be in the firing line next.
Count details below.
Update 17:19
Activity amongst senior count staff. We may get an actual TD elected soon. Stand by.
Update 17:11
Excitement building. John Connolly (FF ) back in the building after attending funeral, looking legislative. Wags remarking that noone has seen Connolly and his running mate, Gráinne Seoige, in the same room.
Update 17:06
Count continues. It is expected that eliminated candidate Helen Ogbu (Lab ) should transfer well to Eibhlínn Seoighthe (SD ), possibly in excess of 600 votes.
Update 16:42
Outgoing TD Éamon Ó Cuív is meeting and greeting at the margins on the count - presidentially, one might say. Fine Gael's Connemara-based county councilllor Eileen Mannion was in a serious-looking conversation with Ó Cuív. There's a while to go yet, but there are fears of Connemara not returning a single TD.
Update 16:34
Newly minted Sinn Féin Galway East TD Louis O'Hara has entered the building. There is a bit of swoonage.
Update 16:19
John from Galway Catering Company just dropped some tea down to Advertiser #GE24 HQ. He'll be remembered in the will.
Update 16:10 Count 8
Mairéad Farrell (SF ) inching closer to the quota, while Helen Ogbu (Lab ) has been eliminated. The first time Labour candidate has cleared the 4 per cent hurdle, so will be able to get some election expenses refunded. Details below.
Update 16:00
Count incoming. Mike Cubbard (Ind ) votes to be distributed. Stand by.
Update 15:50
The Galway Advertiser's editor-at-large has just made an unannounced visit to Salthill Count Centre. Must. Look. Busy.
Update 15:41
News spreading that Labour's Marie Sherlock has taken out Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch in Dublin Central. There's a sentence we never thought we'd write.
Update 15:30
"It's like Lough Derg here: black tea and burned toast." Press photographers griping as usual. The wheels of democracy grind slowly.
Update 15:03
It is expected that around 1,600 Cubbard votes will be split between Catherine Connolly (Ind ), and Noel Grealish (Ind ) on a rough 50-50 split. Mairead Farrell (SF ), John Connolly (FF ) and Noel Thomas (II ) should get around 400 between them, with the remainder going to Helen Ogbu (Lab ) and Hildegarde Naughton (FG ). However tallymen did not get access to Galway city east boxes yesterday, so there is a fair margin of error here which may benefit Grealish and - possibly - Ogbu.
Update 14:53
Labour's Helen Ogbu received a chunky 408 votes from Green Party transfers, pushing her past Independent city councillor Mike Cubbard. Cubbard's 2,451 votes will be distributed next. It is expected he will transfer well to fellow non-party candidates, Noel Grealish and Catherine Connolly.
Update 14:49 - Count 7
Update 14:40
Almost 2,000 Green Party votes about to be redistributed
Update 14:11
Counting continues to distribute Senator Pauline O'Reilly's 1,918 votes.
Update 14:09
Gráinne Seoige (FF ) has paid a quick visit. Plenty of photographs taken, then a swift exit.
Update 13:01
Hildegarde Naughton (FG ) is in the building. Photographers are snapping away. Everyone loves a photo of the 'minishter'.
Update 12:59 Count 6
Aontú's Padraig Lenihan will transfer his 1,419 votes as follows:
Update 12:23
Treat watch: Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil staffers have arrived with plenty of chocolate. Outgoing TD Catherine Connolly just arrived in with bags of sandwich wraps and drinks for her team. Other groupings seem to subsist solely on coffee. Is there material for a political science PhD here? The Snackology of Democracy...
Update 11:50 Count 5
Maisie McMaster's transfers are below. Padraig Lenihan (AON ) has been eliminated and his 1,419 votes will now be distributed.
Update 11:10
For the first time in many years, outgoing TD Noel Grealish's crew are looking a bit nervous. Has Noel Thomas (II ) pinched votes from the King of Carnmore? "Without a doubt," says one Grealishista. "This isn't the Olympics. We'll be happy to finish fifth," says another.
Update 10:52 - Count 4
AJ Cahill of The Irish People was elimated in count 3, and his votes distributed as below. Next to go is Maisie McMaster of PBP-S.
Update 10:44
Sinn Féiners in Galway West getting excited about the likely imminent election of Louis O'Hara in Galway East.
Update 10:41
John Connolly (FF ) needs another 2,844 transfers to be elected.
Noel Grealish (Ind ) needs another 3,142 transfers to be elected
Catherine Connolly (Ind ) needs another 3,277 transfers to be elected
Hildegard Naughton (FG ) needs another 4,032 transfers to be elected
Noel Thomas (Ind ) is 4,232 short of the quota.
Everything to play for in Galway West.
Update 10:20
Sinn Fein's Mairead Farrell needs another 1,852 votes to be elected. So we're in for at least another four or five counts until we might elect our first TD in Galway West.
Big shout out to the kind Redditors on r/galway who were concerned about the welfare of Galway Advertiser hacks in the Salthill Count Centre last night. We're happy to report: most survived.
Update 10:04 Count 3
Following the third count, Irish Freedom Party's Doran McMahon's 455 votes are now about to be redistributed.
Update 09:35 Count 2
Count 2 is in. Patrick Feeney's 52 votes in the mix
Sunday, December 1
09:24
Good morning, and welcome to Round 2 of the epic 2024 General Election Galway West count. The first count last night saw Mairead Farrell top the poll with a whopping 8,164 votes, the first woman to come in top slot in this constituency. The Returning Officer is poised to redistribute Patrick Feeney's 52 votes
Update 23:22 Count 1
First count: Mairead Farrell has topped the poll with 8,164 votes
Update 23:22
Valid poll: 60,277.
QUOTA: 10,047
Update 23:13
There is another page. Two senior staff are scribbling on it.
Update 23:10
There is no page.
Update 23:04
Returning Officer has a page in her hand.
Update 23:01
Returning Officer has warned the broadcast media that she may have a first count in 5 minutes. Stand by.
Update 22:43
Apparently 27 votes are missing in Galway West. Count staff have found 10 of them, and are searching for the rest. There are no sofas here. Just a few chairs.
Update 22:32
Staff are re-checking 50-strong bundles of ballots from the top six candidates, apparently to check everything adds up. Respect for the meticulousness, is tempered by disquiet that the local Asian fusion restuarant has ceased deliveries to hangry journalists.
Update 22:23
A sample of independent candidate, Galway city councillor Mike Cubbard's ballots show around a third of his Number 2 preferences will go to Noel Grealish (Ind ). Almost another third will go to Catherine Connolly (Ind ). In descending order, the remaining third is expected mostly to go to Mairead Farrell (SF ), Noel Thomas (II ), and John Connolly (FF ), with a few going to fellow city councillor Helen Ogbu (Lab ) and outgoing TD Hildegarde Naughton (FG ).
Update 22:00
Still no news. Considering a career change. Red roses on Labour Party's desk have wilted, and have been sent for compost. At this stage, fresh flowers expected to bloom before first count announced.
Update 21:57
Not much happening. Rumours of bringing out the weighing scales. Lots of senior count staff huddled in conversation. Returning Officer appears to be getting a shoulder massage from a colleague. We all need one at this stage.
Update 21:30
Still no sign of first count. A re-cap on tallies, alphabetical:
IND Connolly, C - 5604
FF Connolly J - 6223
IND Cubbard - 1703
SF Farrell - 6713
IND Feeney - 68
IND Grealish - 5989
FG Kyne - 4677
AON Lenihan - 1009
IFP McMahon - 372
PBP-S McMaster - 725
FG Naughton - 5112
LAB Ogbu - 1550
GP O'Reilly - 1589
SD Seoighthe - 1780
II Thomas - 5184
We're still missing some info, so expect official count to be a wee bit different. It's taking an age. Send snacks.
Update 21:25
Candidae Helen Ogbu (Lab ) has arrived looking fresh. Some other candidates who have been here for hours and are looking knackered. Rumours of betting on spider races on a wall in the courtyard. Count staff still checking bundles. An observer from the Electoral Commission has arrived fresh from a count in the RDS and is having a good look around.
Update 21:08
Returning Officer is "re-verifying" all bundles of votes. This means counting the exact number of ballots wrapped up in each bundle sealed with an elastic band. She hopes this will speed matters up tomorrow in that everything adds up. Count staff spectators are praying she doesn't decide to use weighing machines to weigh the bundles too.
Update 20:51
Returning officer had nothinhg much to say, except to say: "Bear with us". This is to benefit broadcast media to be ready with live feeds. Nobody seems to know what the delay is. All ballots have been verified.
Update 20:49
Returning officer on stage
Update 20:04
Candidates' election agents have finished a (very civilised ) discussion on spoiled votes, and we are expecting some official count figures very soon.
Update 18:57
Duly appointed agents invited to inspect spoiled votes at 19:10. We should get a count soon after that, please God.
Update 18:35
Reports from Catherine Connolly's camp suggest 20% of her Number 2s are for Helen Ogbu (Lab ), and 20% are going to the Social Democrats' Eibhlín Seoighthe.
Candidates are starting to trickle in as we await the first count - here are Catherine Connolly and Noel Grealish looking very happy.
Update 18:31
Likely poll topper Mairead Farrell is en route to Count Centre. Sinn Féin team making sure they have enough passes for her entourage.
Update 18:28
Second preferences being tallied for Irish Freedom Party's Doran McMahon's c370 votes. Majority going to Noel Thomas (II ), remainder to Padraig Lenihan (Aon )
Update 18:25
Volume levels have increased at count centre. Noel Grealish has arrived. Unclear if these two events are related.
Update 18:21
Two very confident-looking Connollys are chatting in the corner: outgoing TD Catherine Connolly (Ind ) and city councillor John Connolly (FF ); both looking confortable on first preference votes.
Update 18:06
A sample of Eibhlín Seoighthe (SD ) of Number 2 preferences show most going to Helen Ogbu (Lab ), followed by Catherine Connolly (Ind ), Mairead Farrell (SF ), and Maisie McMaster (PBP )
Update 17:56
Grainne Seoige's Number 2s look interesting. Fianna Fáil tally:
1. Connolly, J - 1239
2. Kyne - 258
3. Naughton - 249
4. Thomas 231
5. Connolly, C - 185
6. Farrell - 151
7. Grealish - 148
8. Ogbu - 34
Update 16:57
Candidates ranked by tallies of first preference votes with nearly all boxes opened:
1. Farrell - 13%
2. Connolly, J - 12%
3. Grealish - 12%
4. Connolly, C - 11%
5. Naughton - 10%
6. Thomas - 10%
7. Kyne - 9%
8. Seoighthe - 4%
9. Cubbard - 3%
10. O'Reilly - 3%
11. Ogbu - 3%
12. Lenihan - 2%
Update 16:56
Sinn Fein's Mairead Farrell is in poll position, a good 500+ votes ahead of her closest rival, John Connolly (FF )
Update 16:47
All but a handful of boxes are now tallied.
96% for first preference votes are tallied, with the ommission of a few Galway city east boxes that flew under the radar. Some Connemara boxes not yet tallied, all showing strong votes for Noel Thomas (II ).
Cahill - 335
Connolly C - 5398
Comnnolly J - 5905
Cubbard - 1671
Farrell - 6478
Feeney - 65
Grealish - 5689
Kyne - 4488
Lenihan - 971
McMahon - 362
McMaster - 708
Naughton - 4999
Ogbu - 1512
O'Reilly - 1539
Seoige - 2531
Seoighthe - 1728
Thomas - 4883
Update 16:29
Fierce interest in the Number 2 preferences on Grainne Seoige (FF ) votes. Vast majority going to running mate John Connolly (FF ), but large tranches going to Fine Gael's Connemara candidate Sean Kyne. A smaller number going to Catherine Connolly (Ind ).
Update 15:45
Lots of grumbling amongst candidates' teams about Galway West count staff beginning early in the morning before the public allowed into Salthill Count Centre. It appears tallymen did not get a chance to look at almost half the boxes from the east side of Galway city which were counted very early on.
Update 15:36
Money talks. Lots of chat about how many votes necessary to be able to recoup election expenses. Looks like 4.1% of valid poll is the magic number if candidates are hoping to submit receipts to the Electoral Commission.
Update 15:07
First preference ballots being checked. Official results expected well within the hour. At a glance, second preference votes on ballots belonging to John Connolly (FF ), Noel Grealish (Ind ) and Catherine Connolly (Ind ) show a wide spread. Noel Thomas (II ) getting number 2s from surprising sources. Mike Cubbard (Ind ) and Grainne Seoige (FF ) also picking up Number 2s. #NotScientific
Update 14:32
Almost three quarters of boxes open Tallies show Sinn Fein leading.
Mairead Farrell - 4948
John Connolly - 4379
#Catherine Connolly - 4261
#Noel Thomas - 4196
Noel Grealish - 3706Sean Kyne - 3692
Hildegarde Naughton - 3336
Grainne Seoige - 1935
Update 14:31
Lunch break over. Counting continues.
Update 12:59
A black spaniel has entered the Count Centre, and everyone is swooning over it. #BlackDogDay
Update 12:57
Irish Freedom Party supporter having loud conversation with Count Centre Garda on duty about someone inside allegedly callling her a "Nazi".
Update 12:30
Almost half the boxes open. 96 of 196. Mairead Farrell (SF ) way ahead with 81% of first preference votes tallied. John Connolly (FF ) on 76%. Catherine Connolly (Ind ) 72%. Noel Thomas (II ) 69%.
Update 11:58
Noel Grealish (Ind ) killing it in Carnmore. Polling very strong in Claregalway too. This should havre a substantial impact on overall constituency tallies.
Update 11:52
Carnmore boxes being opened. Unsurprsingly, 'King of Carnmore' Noel Grealish (Ind ) doing very well. A lot of transfers to fellow non-party candidates Mike Cubbard and Catherine Connolly #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 11:43
Noel Grealish (Ind ) and Grainne Seoige (FF ) so far both on around 5%. Mike Cubbard (Ind ), Pauline O'Reilly (GP ) and Eibhlin Seoighthe (SD ) on 4%. Labour's Helen Ogbu on 3%.
Update 11:39
FG tallies after one third of 196 boxes opened. Four-way race for poll position between John Connolly (FF ), Noel Thomas (II ), Mairead Farrell (SF ) and Catherine Connolly (Ind ) all touching on 13%. Sean Kyne (FG ) on 11% with Hildegarde Naughton (FG ) on 8%. #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 11:35
Rossaveal boxes showing big vote for Noel Thomas (II ). #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 11:21
Sinn Fein's Mairead Farrell looking very good across a number of Connemara boxes #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 11:03
Early Galway West Fianna Fail tallies putting their city councillor John Connolly far ahead of newcomer Grainne Seoige #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 11:01
Much talk of Gerry Hutch doing well in Dublin. Would a Galway independent sit next to him in Leinster House? #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 10:55
Some boxes from Moycullen being tallied. Looks very good for Sean Kyne (FG ). No discernable bounce for fellow local candidate Noel Thomas (II ) yet. #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 10:45
Early city boxes put Noel Grealish at 9%. That will change when boxes east of the constituency are opened. Mike Cubbard looks strong in city at over 6%. Helen Ogbu (Lab ) looks around 5%. SocDems' Eibhlin Seoighthe almost 5%. Grainne Seoige (FF ) at almost 4%. The rest all under 3% #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 10:43
Journalists at Count Centre grumbling about lack of WiFi. Tallymen wandering around with clipboards looking impotrtant #oldschool #GeneralElection24 #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 10:39
Tally men have Hildegarde Naughton (FG ) at 10%. Runnig mate Sean Kyne at 5%. #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 10:37
38 boxes open. Catherrine Connolly (Ind ) and John Connolly (FF ) both on around 13% first preferences
Update 10:36
38 boxes of 196 open. Mairead Farrell polling well with tallies putting her at almost 17% of first preferences. #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 10:34
Connemara boxes beginning to be opened.
Update 10.25
Galway city boxes nearly finished counting. Solid tally details coming in. Looks like Catherine Connolly, Noel Grealish and Mairead Farrell have done well. #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
Update 08.39
Good morning and welcome to the Galway Advertiser’s coverage of the counts in General Election 2024. We will have up to the minute coverage from the three count centres for Galway West (Galway Lawn Tennis Club; Galway East, (PCH Headford ); and Galway Roscommon (Hyde Park ). Follow our live blog on www.advertiser.ie and on our social media platforms Facebook, x, instagram and BlueSky. #GeneralElection24 @galwayad
