Galway West Bye-Election 2026 — Five-Seat Constituency Profile
The Galway West bye-election was held on 22 May 2026 to fill one Dáil seat. The constituency runs from Galway city west through the Connemara Gaeltacht to the Aran Islands. This page covers 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
Catherine Connolly was a TD for Galway West. Her election as President on 24 October 2025 created the vacancy. Galway West is a five-seat Dáil constituency under the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2023 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
Galway West — Census 2022 profile
Every figure below comes from the Census 2022 electoral divisions whose centroid falls inside the Galway West boundary — covering Galway city, the Connemara Gaeltacht, and the Aran Islands. Each figure is shown against the national average. 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
Galway West has 145,201 residents. The modelled median household income is €52,334. Disability rates (21.0%) and general health broadly match the national average.
Work & education
Employment here runs in line with the national average at 55.7%. Third-level attainment is well above at 52.1%. Professional and managerial roles sit above the national rate at 41.2%.
Housing & tenure
58.5% of homes are owner-occupied and 26.2% are privately rented. National rates are 65.9% and 18.0%. Apartments make up 17.3% of all dwellings.
Commute & mobility
Car commuting sits at 60.6%, against 62.4% nationally. 13.4% of households have no car. Public transport and active travel together cover 18.1% of commuters.
County Galway — housing market context
Galway West on the map
IrelandInsights maps Census 2022 data for every electoral division in Galway West — population, employment, education, and housing tenure — well below county level.
The constituency runs from the city out across Connemara: Galway City Centre, Salthill, Knocknacarra, Newcastle, Bearna / Barna, An Spidéal / Spiddal, An Cheathrú Rua / Carraroe, Oileáin Árann / Aran Islands, Maigh Cuilinn / Moycullen, Oughterard and An Clochán / Clifden. Each is a distinct patchwork of electoral divisions. Select any place to fly the map there and read its Census 2022 figures.
→ Explore the Galway West 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 Galway census profile sets out the full demographic picture.
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