As it unfolded that Catherine Connolly would walk the presidential election, politicos began plotting for a Galway West by-election which must fill her vacant Dáil seat by May 11.
Independent Ireland was first out of the traps, with slick campaign videos already shared via social media for its likely candidate, Councillor Noel Thomas. Thomas is chomping at the bit for another election after nearly unseating Noel Grealish last November, although his party has not yet formally ratified his candidature.
Thomas was closely followed by former city councillor Niall Murphy, for the Green Party, who is advertising his intentions, supported by the Green’s former chairwoman, Galway-based Pauline O’Reilly.
Busy secondary school teacher, Social Democrat city councillor Alan Curran, is wary of “massive upheaval” a by-election campaign would bring to his young family, he says. He did not, however, rule himself out.
If Curran declines, political observers note cordial relations between his leader, Holly Cairns TD, and Spiddal-based broadcaster Síle Seoige, sister of last year’s Fianna Fáil election candidate, Gráinne Seoige. The Soc Dems did ask Síle to run for the European Parliament in 2025, but she demurred.
Fianna Fáil will be under pressure after a beyond-disastrous presidential election.
Senator Ollie Crowe, from Bohermore, claims to be concentrating on his current Oireachtas job, while former city mayor, Councillor Peter Keane, is popular among staffers at his party’s Dublin HQ. At this early stage, both are keeping their powder dry.
City councillor Alan Cheevers makes no secret of his Dáil ambition, while county councillors Máirtín Lee in Connemara, young Cillian Keane in Athenry-Oranmore, and Martina Kinane in Gort-Kinvarra are all possibilities for Fianna Fáil.
In May, retired FF veteran Éamon Ó Cuív quipped to the Advertiser that he received such a warm welcome on Galway city doorsteps, while canvassing for John Connolly TD last November, that he might consider running himself. It was a joke, but national media have touted Ó Cuív as a contender.
Fine Gael in Galway West and Galway East are not happy places at present, with internal politics said to be “on the lighter side of radioactive” by one insider, although elected members disagree with that depiction. Senator Seán Kyne says he “will reflect on the question of a by-election” but, in private, his supporters say he is already plotting which Blue Shirt big beasts he can bring to Galway to help canvass for a seat he previously held for nine years.
City councillor and former county footballer, Eddie Hoare, wants a nomination. He will argue hard that he offers a fresh face for Fine Gael after a staid image presented by presidential candidate Heather Humphreys. Conscious of attracting Connemara votes, Hoare, an accountant, has been improving his cúpla focail. Former Young Fine Gael president, Claregalway-native Eoghan Gallagher, has also been mentioned.
Mairéad Farrell TD won a whopping 8,164 first preferences for Sinn Féin in Galway West last November, and hoovered transfers from independent and leftist candidates. Her confidante, Galway city councillor Aisling Burke, has ruled herself out of the by-election.
Former city councillor, Cathal ‘Rusty’ O’Conchuir, says he would “have a think” about running. Other names circulating in Sinn Fein circles are Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD’s parliamentary assistant Eoghan Ó Finn, from Galway city, and MEP Kathleen Funchion’s aide, Kevin Lally, from an Cheathrú Rua.
Labour’s ambitious city councillor, Helen Ogbu, a visible Catherine Connolly supporter, confirmed she had a by-election conversation with party leader Ivana Bacik TD last week, but stressed Labour has made no selection plans yet. Veteran politician, Councillor Níall McNelis, is keeping his intentions under wraps, Councillor John McDonagh, Connolly’s former director of elections, “will think about it,” while other members report vigorous conversation about whether the party should support an independent left candidate, if a strong prospect emerges.
Of such independents, a number of intriguing possibilities are in play.
On the left, is former Social Democrat, but now non-party Galway city councillor, Eibhlín Seoighthe. She was the first politician to issue a statement saying by-election speculation is premature, although she did note that her “phone is overflowing with messages from people around the country” regarding the Catherine Connolly campaign, in which she was a visible presence.
Sheila Garrity, a Catherine Connolly stalwart, has been mooted as a possible candidate after issuing a strong address on left unity at the final presidential campaign event in Salthill last week. Beibhinn O’Connor, the accomplished Galway native who ran President Elect Connolly’s national campaign, has (so far ) rejected suggestions she might run.
Former Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrat, Oughterard’s Councillor Thomas Welby, says he is serious about running as an independent, despite facing a withering online campaign from radical agitators in his area. If Welby can harness support from Noel Grealish TD’s network, stretching from Athenry through Carnmore, and into Galway city and its western suburbs, the Conamara North poll-topper will be a contender.
Independent City Councillor, Mike Cubbard’s politics are difficult to define, but if the city’s mayor positions himself left of centre, there is potential to take votes from Connolly supporters in the city. Since first standing for the Dáil in 2011, Cubbard has increased his vote at nearly every election, and holding the city’s mayoralty gives him extra profile.
It has been exactly 50 years since Galway West held a by-election, when Maire Geoghegan Quinn secured her late father’s seat. The 2026 poll will take place in a Galway changed beyond all recognition, and its result will be analysed as a bellwether for national politics.
