Dublin Central Bye-Election 2026 — Four-Seat Constituency Profile
The Dublin Central bye-election was held on 22 May 2026 to fill one Dáil seat in a four-seat constituency — one of the capital's most densely populated and highest-renting areas. From Phibsborough to the North Wall, Cabra to the Liffey: this page sets out the administrative facts of the vacancy and a Census 2022 demographic picture of the area. No candidates, no polls — just the data, and an interactive map you can move through place by place.
The vacancy — what triggered the bye-election
Paschal Donohoe resigned his Dublin Central Dáil seat on 18 November 2025. He left to become Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group. Dublin Central is a four-seat constituency under the post-2023 review boundaries used for the 2024 general election. Polling day was Friday 22 May 2026. The seat was filled, and the newly elected TD assumed office on 26 May 2026.
Source: Electoral Commission Ireland · Houses of the Oireachtas
Dublin Central area profile — Census 2022
Every figure below comes from Census 2022 electoral divisions whose centroid falls inside the Dublin Central constituency boundary, shown against the national average. They appear in four sections rather than a single block. Constituency and ED boundaries do not align perfectly, so figures are close approximations. Household income is a population-weighted modelled estimate; the deprivation score is a population-weighted index.
Population & community
Dublin Central has 127,302 residents. The modelled median household income is €49,837. Disability (19.6%) and general health broadly track the national average.
Work & education
Employment here (61.4%) runs above the national average. Third-level attainment (46.7%) sits above it. Professional and managerial roles (31.8%) are well below the national figure.
Housing & tenure
Tenure here inverts the national pattern. 44.2% rent privately and just 32.4% own their home, against 18.0% and 65.9% nationally. 53.9% live in apartments.
Commute & mobility
Car commuting (17.5%) is a fraction of the 62.4% national figure. 41.8% of households have no car. Public transport and active travel together cover 51.5% of commuters.
County Dublin — housing market context
Dublin Central on the map
IrelandInsights maps Census 2022 demographics for every electoral division in the Dublin Central area. It covers population, employment, education, and housing tenure at a resolution well below county level.
The constituency spans a tight cluster of north-city neighbourhoods: Phibsborough, Stoneybatter, Cabra, Smithfield, North Inner City, Drumcondra, Glasnevin, Mountjoy / North Circular Road, East Wall and Grangegorman. Each is a distinct patchwork of electoral divisions. Select any place to fly the map there and read its Census 2022 figures.
→ Explore the Dublin Central area on the live map
Related Ireland data
For wider context: the Electoral Commission Ireland page covers all 43 constituencies and the 2024 boundary review. The County Dublin census profile sets out the full demographic picture.
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