Donegal (Dáil constituency)

Donegal
Dáil constituency
Outline map
Location of Donegal within Ireland
Major settlements
Current constituency
Created2016
Seats5
TDs
Local government areaCounty Donegal
Created from
EP constituencyMidlands–North-West
Donegal
Former Dáil constituency
Former constituency
Created1977
Abolished1981
Seats5
Local government areaCounty Donegal
Created from
Replaced by
Donegal
Former Dáil constituency
Former constituency
Created1921
Abolished1937
Seats
  • 6 (1921–1923)
  • 8 (1923–1937)
Local government areaCounty Donegal
Created from
Replaced by

Donegal is a parliamentary constituency which has been represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas, since the 2016 general election. The constituency elects five deputies (Teachtaí Dála, commonly known as TDs) on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).

It covers County Donegal with the exception of nine southern electoral divisions which are part of the neighbouring Sligo–Leitrim constituency.

History and boundaries

1921 to 1937

The constituency was created in 1921 by the Government of Ireland Act 1920 as a 6-seat constituency for the Southern Ireland House of Commons and a two-seat constituency for the United Kingdom House of Commons at Westminster, taking in the whole of County Donegal in north-west Ireland, succeeding the former Westminster constituencies of East Donegal, North Donegal, South Donegal and West Donegal.[1] At the 1921 election for the Southern Ireland House of Commons, the six seats were won uncontested by Sinn Féin, who treated it as part of the election to the Second Dáil. It was never used as a Westminster constituency; under s. 1(4) of the Irish Free State (Agreement) Act 1922, no writ was to be issued "for a constituency in Ireland other than a constituency in Northern Ireland".[2] Therefore, no vote was held in County Dublin at the 1922 United Kingdom general election on 15 November 1922, shortly before the Irish Free State left the United Kingdom on 6 December 1922.

Under the Electoral Act 1923, the constituency's boundaries remained unchanged, and were defined as "the administrative county of Donegal". However, its representation was increased from 6 to 8 seats.[3] It was abolished by the Electoral (Revision of Constituencies) Act 1935, with effect from the 1937 general election. It was replaced by two new constituencies: the 4-seat Donegal East and the 3-seat Donegal West.[4]

1977 to 1981

A Donegal constituency was re-established as a 5-seat constituency under the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1974, and used at the 1977 general election only.[5] The revived constituency was short-lived, as under the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1980, it was replaced by two new 3-seat constituencies, Donegal North-East and Donegal South-West.[6]

Since 2016

In 2012 the Constituency Commission proposed that at the next general election, the constituencies of Donegal North-East and Donegal South-West should be replaced by a new constituency called Donegal.[7] The report proposed changes to the constituencies of Ireland so as to reduce the total number of TDs from 166 to 158.[8] The Donegal constituency was re-established by the Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2013, with effect from the 2016 general election.[9]

The Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017 defines the constituency as:[10]

"The county of Donegal, except the part thereof which is comprised in the constituency of Sligo–Leitrim."

The area of the county of Donegal within the Sligo–Leitrim constituency is:

"the electoral divisions of:
Ballintra, Ballyshannon Rural, Ballyshannon Urban, Bundoran Rural, Carrickboy, Cavangarden, Cliff, in the former Rural District of Ballyshannon;
Ballintra in the former Rural District of Donegal;
and Bundoran Urban"

The Constituency Review Report 2023 of the Electoral Commission recommended that no change be made at the next general election.[11]

TDs

TDs 1921–1937

Teachtaí Dála (TDs) for Donegal 1921–1937[12]
Key to parties
Dáil Election Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)
2nd 1921[13] Joseph O'Doherty
(SF) 		Samuel O'Flaherty
(SF) 		Patrick McGoldrick
(SF) 		Joseph McGinley
(SF) 		Joseph Sweeney
(SF) 		Peter Ward
(SF) 		6 seats
1921–1923
3rd 1922[14] Joseph O'Doherty
(AT-SF) 		Samuel O'Flaherty
(AT-SF) 		Patrick McGoldrick
(PT-SF) 		Joseph McGinley
(PT-SF) 		Joseph Sweeney
(PT-SF) 		Peter Ward
(PT-SF)
4th 1923[15] Joseph O'Doherty
(Rep) 		Peadar O'Donnell
(Rep) 		Patrick McGoldrick
(CnaG) 		Eugene Doherty
(CnaG) 		Patrick McFadden
(CnaG) 		Peter Ward
(CnaG) 		James Myles
(Ind) 		John White
(FP)
1924 by-election[16] Denis McCullough
(CnaG)
5th 1927 (Jun)[17] Frank Carney
(FF) 		Neal Blaney
(FF) 		Daniel McMenamin
(NL) 		Michael Óg McFadden
(CnaG) 		Hugh Law
(CnaG)
6th 1927 (Sep)[18] Archie Cassidy
(Lab)
7th 1932[19] Brian Brady
(FF) 		Daniel McMenamin
(CnaG) 		James Dillon
(Ind) 		John White
(CnaG)
8th 1933[20] Joseph O'Doherty
(FF) 		Hugh Doherty
(FF) 		James Dillon
(NCP) 		Michael Óg McFadden
(CnaG)
9th 1937 Constituency abolished. See Donegal East and Donegal West

Note: The columns in this table are used only for presentational purposes, and no significance should be attached to the order of columns. For details of the order in which seats were won at each election, see the detailed results of that election.

TDs 1977–1981

Teachtaí Dála (TDs) for Donegal 1977–1981[12]
Key to parties
Dáil Election Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)
21st 1977[21] Hugh Conaghan
(FF) 		Joseph Brennan
(FF) 		Neil Blaney
(IFF) 		James White
(FG) 		Paddy Harte
(FG)
1980 by-election[22] Clement Coughlan
(FF)
22nd 1981 Constituency abolished. See Donegal North-East and Donegal South-West

Note: The columns in this table are used only for presentational purposes, and no significance should be attached to the order of columns. For details of the order in which seats were won at each election, see the detailed results of that election.

TDs since 2016

Teachtaí Dála (TDs) for Donegal 2016–
Key to parties
Dáil Election Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)		 Deputy
(Party)
32nd 2016[23] Pearse Doherty
(SF) 		Pat "the Cope" Gallagher
(FF) 		Thomas Pringle
(Ind) 		Charlie McConalogue
(FF) 		Joe McHugh
(FG)
33rd 2020[24] Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
(SF)
34th 2024[25] Charles Ward
(100%R) 		Pat "the Cope" Gallagher
(FF)

Note: The columns in this table are used only for presentational purposes, and no significance should be attached to the order of columns. For details of the order in which seats were won at each election, see the detailed results of that election.

Elections

^ *: Outgoing TD

2024 general election

2024 general election: Donegal[25][26]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Sinn Féin Pearse Doherty[*] 24.7 18,898                              
Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher 13.1 10,024 10,504 10,517 10,528 10,604 10,636 10,667 10,675 10,680 10,798 10,922 11,294 11,751 12,310 13,660  
Sinn Féin Pádraig Mac Lochlainn[*] 12.8 9,799 13,095                          
Fianna Fáil Charlie McConalogue[*] 10.5 8,019 8,127 8,137 8,149 8,233 8,261 8,310 8,315 8,338 8,470 8,531 8,771 9,029 9,172 11,019 11,683
100% Redress Charles Ward 9.0 6,862 7,236 7,268 7,283 7,300 7,378 7,469 7,522 7,632 7,868 8,466 9,784 9,909 10,855 11,629 11,714
Independent Thomas Pringle[*] 6.9 5,289 5,664 5,691 5,693 5,708 5,740 5,776 5,798 5,825 6,179 6,457 6,795 7,366 9,513 10,255 10,395
Fine Gael Nikki Bradley 4.8 3,658 3,719 3,722 3,729 3,761 3,782 3,818 3,823 3,830 4,080 4,134 4,280 6,001 6,176    
Sinn Féin Noel Jordan 4.3 3,321 4,405 4,620 4,623 4,638 4,673 4,695 4,709 4,733 5,013 5,155 5,339 5,513      
Fine Gael John McNulty 4.2 3,247 3,276 3,277 3,283 3,293 3,293 3,297 3,302 3,306 3,349 3,379 3,434        
Aontú Mary T. Sweeney 3.2 2,469 2,530 2,534 2,550 2,561 2,589 2,637 2,685 2,808 2,883 3,376          
Independent Niall McConnell 2.0 1,565 1,661 1,667 1,705 1,708 1,728 1,751 1,910 2,156 2,185            
Green Nuala Carr 1.1 880 903 904 905 913 917 930 930 931              
PBP–Solidarity Carol Gallagher[a] 0.8 606 669 674 684 688 691 692 699 707              
The Irish People Kim McMenamin 0.7 531 542 544 545 547 550 554 621                
Irish Freedom Eamon McGee 0.5 383 399 400 408 409 417 422                  
Independent Gerry McKeever 0.4 342 354 355 359 359 378                    
Independent Frank O'Donnell 0.4 313 328 330 336 337                      
Fianna Fáil Claudia Kennedy 0.4 273 290 291 292                        
Independent Vincent J. Bradley 0.1 111 116 116                          
Independent Arthur McGuinness 0.1 34 35 35                          
Electorate: 131,306   Valid: 76,624   Spoilt: 697   Quota: 12,771   Turnout: 58.9%  
  1. ^ Gallagher is a member of People Before Profit.

2020 general election

2020 general election: Donegal[24][27][28][29]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Sinn Féin Pearse Doherty[*] 27.2 21,044                
Sinn Féin Pádraig Mac Lochlainn 17.9 13,891                
Fianna Fáil Charlie McConalogue[*] 10.8 8,347 8,871 9,022 9,078 9,425 9,633 10,054 10,270 11,432
Fine Gael Joe McHugh[*] 9.8 7,621 8,093 8,129 8,170 8,309 8,740 8,988 10,920 12,104
Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher[*] 9.6 7,469 8,661 8,688 8,729 8,905 9,035 9,518 10,146 11,074
Independent Thomas Pringle[*] 7.1 5,472 8,270 8,521 8,621 8,947 9,637 10,241 10,755 12,245
Independent John O'Donnell 6.1 4,735 5,620 5,780 5,891 6,168 6,294 6,956 7,106  
Fine Gael Martin Harley 3.9 3,056 3,491 3,502 3,526 3,650 3,771 3,896    
Aontú Mary T. Sweeney 3.1 2,382 2,827 2,907 3,128 3,349 3,600      
Green Michael White 2.1 1,656 2,113 2,194 2,220 2,339        
Independent Peter Casey 1.5 1,143 1,804 1,950 2,132          
Independent Niall McConnell 0.7 580 803 832            
Independent Arthur McGuinness 0.1 56 99 109            
Electorate: 125,911   Valid: 77,452   Spoilt: 647   Quota: 12,909   Turnout: 78,099 (62.0%)  

2016 general election

2016 general election: Donegal [30][31][23]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Fianna Fáil Charlie McConalogue[*] 17.1 12,533                        
Sinn Féin Pearse Doherty[*] 14.1 10,300 10,305 10,330 10,524 10,870 11,053 11,190 14,600          
Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher 13.9 10,198 10,203 10,362 10,504 10,694 10,941 11,160 11,267 11,398 11,832 13,138    
Fine Gael Joe McHugh[*] 11.5 8,412 8,414 8,443 8,704 8,795 8,965 11,016 11,040 11,061 11,784 12,469    
Independent Thomas Pringle[*] 8.5 6,220 6,239 6,247 6,498 6,689 7,389 7,522 7,617 7,722 8,491 9,462 9,888 10,082
Sinn Féin Pádraig Mac Lochlainn[*] 7.8 5,742 5,743 5,773 5,893 5,961 6,008 6,032 6,567 8,509 9,143 9,716 9,852 9,898
Sinn Féin Gary Doherty 5.6 4,136 4,138 4,142 4,183 4,377 4,420 4,456            
Independent Dessie Shiels 5.1 3,724 3,724 3,739 3,986 4,166 4,288 4,463 4,497 4,540        
Independent Tim Jackson 4.9 3,580 3,585 3,601 3,752 4,034 4,319 4,524 4,650 4,790 5,864      
Fine Gael Paddy Harte Jnr 3.9 2,831 2,832 2,838 2,934 3,133 3,244              
Independent Frank McBrearty Jnr 2.6 1,914 1,917 1,921 1,981                  
Independent Niamh Kennedy 2.5 1,836 1,842 1,848 1,983 2,057                
Independent Ian McGarvey 1.3 982 982 989                    
Green Paula Flanagan 0.6 428 442 443                    
Independent Michael Mooney 0.5 397 402 407                    
Fís Nua Cordelia Nic Fhearraigh 0.1 70                        
Electorate: 117,675   Valid: 73,303   Spoilt: 654   Quota: 12,218   Turnout: 73,957 (62.9%)  

1980 by-election

A by-election was held on 6 November 1980 to fill the vacancy caused by the death on 13 July 1980 of the Fianna Fáil TD Joseph Brennan. It was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Clement Coughlan, who died in a road accident in early 1983, triggering a by-election in the Donegal South-West constituency.

1980 by-election: Donegal[32][33]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3
Fianna Fáil Clement Coughlan 39.0 23,456 24,000 29,219
Fine Gael Dinny McGinley 33.3 20,022 20,793 24,085
Independent Fianna Fáil Paddy Kelly 23.6 14,198 14,992  
Sinn Féin The Workers' Party Séamus Rodgers 4.0 2,401    
Electorate: 81,340   Valid: 60,077   Quota: 30,039   Turnout: 73.9%  

1977 general election

1977 general election: Donegal[21][34]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Fine Gael James White[*] 17.6 10,672    
Independent Fianna Fáil Neil Blaney[*] 17.3 10,499                
Fine Gael Paddy Harte[*] 13.9 8,483 8,554 8,990 9,001 9,412 11,900      
Fianna Fáil Joseph Brennan[*] 10.6 6,448 6,465 6,477 6,502 6,701 6,714 6,788 6,935 8,499
Fianna Fáil Bernard McGlinchey 9.4 5,693 5,715 5,724 5,789 5,892 5,941 5,984 6,260 7,309
Fianna Fáil Hugh Conaghan 8.9 5,413 5,423 5,425 5,435 5,474 5,609 5,690 6,340 7,597
Fianna Fáil Patrick Delap 7.5 4,583 4,597 4,605 4,614 5,150 5,170 5,195 5,474  
Independent Fianna Fáil Paddy Keaveney[*] 5.5 3,325 3,353 3,362 3,645 4,110 4,283 4,460    
Fine Gael Séamus Gill 4.8 2,946 2,959 2,996 2,998 3,057        
Sinn Féin The Workers' Party Séamus Rodgers 4.1 2,505 2,548 2,569 2,575          
Independent Charles Long 0.4 256                
Electorate: 77,813   Valid: 60,823   Quota: 10,138   Turnout: 78.2%  

1933 general election

1933 general election: Donegal[20][35]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Independent James Myles[*] 15.5 10,784              
Fianna Fáil Brian Brady[*] 10.9 7,615 7,616 7,632 7,633 7,640 7,643 7,651 10,298
Fianna Fáil Joseph O'Doherty 10.6 7,384 7,389 7,435 7,436 7,512 7,619 7,633 8,555
Fianna Fáil Neal Blaney[*] 10.5 7,310 7,317 7,350 7,350 7,371 7,380 7,393 8,764
Fianna Fáil Hugh Doherty[*] 10.1 7,055 7,068 7,243 7,245 7,280 7,474 7,485 8,469
Fianna Fáil Archie Cassidy 8.7 6,036 6,045 6,109 6,110 6,124 6,147 6,157  
National Centre Party James Dillon[*] 7.6 5,319 5,484 5,976 5,998 6,348 8,753    
Cumann na nGaedheal Daniel McMenamin[*] 7.6 5,261 5,910 6,375 6,484 11,410      
Cumann na nGaedheal Michael Óg McFadden 6.8 4,725 5,941 8,316          
Cumann na nGaedheal Michael McGilligan 6.2 4,306 4,992 5,303 5,752        
Cumann na nGaedheal Eugene Doherty[*] 5.4 3,779 4,081            
Electorate: 88,666   Valid: 69,574   Quota: 7,731   Turnout: 78.5%  

1932 general election

1932 general election: Donegal[19][35]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Independent James Myles[*] 15.5 10,077                      
Independent James Dillon 11.8 7,645                      
Fianna Fáil Neal Blaney[*] 11.4 7,416                      
Fianna Fáil Brian Brady 7.6 4,955 4,970 5,001 5,149 5,179 5,563 5,582 6,138 6,388 6,409 6,436 8,482
Fianna Fáil Hugh Doherty 7.2 4,691 4,702 4,719 4,728 4,762 5,006 5,068 5,904 5,958 6,014 6,024  
Cumann na nGaedheal John White[*] 7.2 4,654 5,870 5,892 5,892 5,970 6,111 6,572 6,676 7,221      
Cumann na nGaedheal Eugene Doherty[*] 6.7 4,313 4,549 4,640 4,642 4,679 5,082 5,911 5,978 7,116 8,121    
Cumann na nGaedheal Daniel McMenamin[*] 6.2 4,050 4,425 4,464 4,467 4,531 4,801 5,495 5,521 8,300      
Fianna Fáil Frank Carney[*] 6.0 3,874 3,888 3,915 3,950 3,984 4,621 4,641 6,245 6,295 6,311 6,323 9,139
Cumann na nGaedheal Michael Óg McFadden[*] 5.8 3,737 4,144 4,187 4,188 4,232 4,353 5,384 5,455        
Fianna Fáil Patrick Doherty 5.2 3,370 3,383 3,392 3,395 3,432 3,559 3,596          
Cumann na nGaedheal Hugh Law[*] 4.3 2,795 3,249 3,280 3,282 3,304 3,428            
Labour Archie Cassidy[*] 3.9 2,506 2,610 2,732 2,742 3,107              
Labour Charles Sweeney 1.1 733 763 774 775                
Electorate: 87,413   Valid: 64,816   Quota: 7,202   Turnout: 74.2%  

September 1927 general election

September 1927 general election: Donegal[18][35]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Independent James Myles[*] 14.5 7,934                  
Fianna Fáil Neal Blaney[*] 12.6 6,877                  
Cumann na nGaedheal Eugene Doherty[*] 11.2 6,108                  
Cumann na nGaedheal Hugh Law[*] 9.6 5,224 5,647 5,657 5,679 5,690 5,703 6,877      
Fianna Fáil Frank Carney[*] 8.8 4,811 4,824 5,503 5,503 5,526 6,392        
Cumann na nGaedheal Michael Óg McFadden[*] 8.7 4,740 4,883 4,885 4,891 4,915 4,949 5,455 6,001 6,004 6,107
Farmers' Party John White[*] 8.5 4,627 5,520 5,527 5,528 5,537 5,579 5,685 5,751 5,753 5,807
Cumann na nGaedheal Patrick McGoldrick 7.1 3,889 3,944 3,948 3,949 3,961 4,035 4,249 4,374 4,375 4,425
Labour Archie Cassidy 6.7 3,675 3,756 3,810 3,812 3,832 4,037 4,201 4,229 4,309 6,527
Fianna Fáil Patrick McGinley 4.5 2,463 2,480 2,512 2,512 2,530 3,165 3,193 3,243 3,487  
Cumann na nGaedheal Edward Kelly 3.8 2,067 2,291 2,298 2,312 2,325 2,348        
Fianna Fáil John O'Flaherty 3.6 1,973 1,987 2,004 2,004 2,016          
Independent Kate McCarry 0.3 164 173 176 176            
Electorate: 90,224   Valid: 54,552   Quota: 6,062   Turnout: 60.5%  

June 1927 general election

June 1927 general election: Donegal[17][35]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Independent James Myles[*] 14.6 7,557                    
National League Daniel McMenamin 11.3 5,828                    
Fianna Fáil Neal Blaney 11.0 5,681 5,693 5,696 5,700 6,533            
Farmers' Party John White[*] 9.7 5,031 5,903                  
Cumann na nGaedheal Eugene Doherty[*] 7.8 4,005 4,354 4,412 4,417 4,458 4,459 4,625 4,683 4,730 4,812 5,427
Cumann na nGaedheal Hugh Law 7.0 3,596 3,791 3,839 3,857 3,932 3,934 4,584 4,699 4,735 4,750 5,220
Cumann na nGaedheal Michael Óg McFadden 6.0 3,105 3,220 3,231 3,244 3,268 3,269 3,628 3,694 3,736 3,745 4,941
Fianna Fáil Frank Carney 5.8 3,002 3,012 3,012 3,013 3,258 3,872 3,885 3,963 6,664    
Fianna Fáil Seamus Monaghan 5.6 2,899 2,902 2,903 2,904 3,083 3,217 3,226 3,285      
Cumann na nGaedheal Patrick McGoldrick[*] 5.3 2,750 2,795 2,812 2,819 2,845 2,847 3,272 3,318 3,335 3,341  
Labour Archie Cassidy 4.8 2,491 2,559 2,564 2,573 2,650 2,676 2,719 4,264 4,365 4,524 4,761
Labour Denis Houston 3.9 2,005 2,086 2,096 2,120 2,205 2,212 2,303        
Cumann na nGaedheal Patrick McFadden[*] 3.8 1,975 2,023 2,029 2,035 2,050 2,053          
Fianna Fáil Joseph O'Doherty[*] 3.3 1,714 1,735 1,741 1,743              
Electorate: 90,224   Valid: 51,639   Quota: 5,738   Turnout: 57.2%  

1924 by-election

A by-election was held on 20 November 1924 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation on 1 August 1924 of the Cumann na nGaedheal TD Peter Ward. There were only two candidates, and the winner was the Cumann na nGaedheal candidate Denis McCullough.

1924 by-election: Donegal[16][35]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1
Cumann na nGaedheal Denis McCullough 57.6 24,919
Republican Thomas Daly 42.4 18,371
Electorate: 96,777   Valid: 43,290   Quota: 21,646   Turnout: 44.7%  

1923 general election

The 1923 general election to the 4th Dáil was the first in the Donegal constituency where the number of candidates exceeded the number of seats. Under the Electoral Act 1923, Donegal's representation had been increased from six to eight seats, and these were contested by no less than 19 candidates.

1923 general election: Donegal[15][35]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Independent James Myles 13.2 6,954                              
Cumann na nGaedheal Peter Ward[*] 10.5 5,513 5,544 5,667 5,676 5,829 5,848 6,048                  
Cumann na nGaedheal Eugene Doherty 10.0 5,261 5,271 5,316 5,333 5,385 5,412 5,635 5,670 6,409              
Cumann na nGaedheal Patrick McGoldrick[*] 7.1 3,743 3,754 3,809 3,816 3,874 3,910 3,955 3,982 4,263 4,597 4,624 4,689 5,330 5,683 5,853 5,942
Republican Brian Monaghan 7.0 3,678 3,683 3,696 3,819 3,838 3,841 3,899 3,899 3,909 3,910 4,112 4,124 4,218 4,251 4,262 4,263
Farmers' Party John White 7.0 3,673 3,743 3,751 3,753 3,767 4,225 4,263 4,276 4,287 4,293 4,317 5,210 5,351 6,664    
Republican Peadar O'Donnell 6.9 3,621 3,627 3,643 3,778 3,796 3,808 3,865 3,867 3,882 3,882 4,867 4,878 5,120 5,205 5,234 5,234
Cumann na nGaedheal Patrick McFadden 6.6 3,492 3,500 3,521 3,531 3,587 3,604 3,737 3,761 4,017 4,200 4,222 4,311 4,888 5,747 5,980  
Republican Joseph O'Doherty[*] 6.1 3,213 3,216 3,225 3,407 3,420 3,452 3,477 3,480 3,545 3,551 4,055 4,076 4,324 4,385 4,416 4,418
Labour Denis Houston 4.7 2,456 2,476 2,630 2,678 2,818 2,892 2,965 2,972 3,001 3,006 3,080 3,136        
Farmers' Party Hugh Law 3.3 1,718 1,762 1,771 1,780 1,949 2,278 2,634 2,665 2,769 2,779 2,787 3,254 3,600      
Republican Samuel O'Flaherty[*] 3.1 1,647 1,651 1,678 1,950 1,963 1,976 1,981 1,982 1,992 1,993            
Cumann na nGaedheal Hugh J. O'Kelly 2.8 1,489 1,498 1,521 1,550 1,574 1,656 1,696 1,707                
Ratepayers Michael McNelis 2.7 1,432 1,449 1,457 1,462 1,609 1,617                    
Farmers' Party Neil Faulkner 2.3 1,209 1,215 1,239 1,252 1,267                      
Farmers' Party Andrew Lowry 2.1 1,127 1,960 1,968 1,976 1,995 2,081 2,130 2,134 2,182 2,186 2,209          
Independent Daniel McMenamin 1.8 927 939 990 1,000                        
Republican Edward Gallen 1.7 908 910 920                          
Independent Henry McGowan 1.3 669 673                            
Electorate: 96,977   Valid: 52,730   Quota: 5,859   Turnout: 54.4%  

1922 general election

As at the 1921 general election, Sinn Féin stood one candidate for every seat (except for two Dublin constituencies); the Treaty had divided the party between 65 pro-treaty candidates, 57 anti-treaty and 1 nominally on both sides. Unlike the elections a year earlier, other parties stood in most constituencies forcing single transferable vote elections, with Sinn Féin losing 30 seats.

In Donegal, Sinn Féin's six outgoing TDs from the 2nd Dáil were elected unopposed, Socialist Republican, Jack White having withdrawn his candidacy.[36] Two had opposed the treaty, and four supported it; they are listed here in alphabetical order

1922 general election: Donegal[14][35]
Party Candidate FPv% % Seat Count
Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty) Joseph McGinley[*] Unopposed N/A 1
Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty) Patrick McGoldrick[*] Unopposed N/A 2
Sinn Féin (Anti-Treaty) Joseph O'Doherty[*] Unopposed N/A 3
Sinn Féin (Anti-Treaty) Samuel O'Flaherty[*] Unopposed N/A 4
Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty) Joseph Sweeney[*] Unopposed N/A 5
Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty) Peter Ward[*] Unopposed N/A 6
Electorate: 76,280   Valid:   Quota:   Turnout:

1921 general election

At the 1921 general election to the 2nd Dáil, no seats were contested in the 26 counties which became the Irish Free State. In Donegal, six Sinn Féin candidates were nominated for the constituency's six seats. Major Robert L Moore, who had contested East Donegal in 1918, was selected as the Unionist candidate by 22 April 1921[37] but was described on 15 May 1921 as 'having at the last moment withdrawn'.[38][39] No ballot was needed, and all six candidates were elected unopposed after the close of nominations on 24 May 1921. The 6 TDs elected are listed here in alphabetical order:[12]

1921 general election: Donegal[13]
Party Candidate FPv% % Seat Count
Sinn Féin Joseph McGinley Unopposed N/A 1
Sinn Féin Patrick McGoldrick Unopposed N/A 2
Sinn Féin Joseph O'Doherty[*] Unopposed N/A 3
Sinn Féin Samuel O'Flaherty Unopposed N/A 4
Sinn Féin Joseph Sweeney[*] Unopposed N/A 5
Sinn Féin Peter Ward[*] Unopposed N/A 6

See also

References

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  2. ^ "Irish Free State (Agreement) Act 1922 (12 & 13 Geo. 5, c. 4)". Historical Documents. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012.
  3. ^ Electoral Act 1923, 8th Sch.: Constituencies (No. 12 of 1923, 8th Sch.). Act of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 4 October 2021.
  4. ^ Electoral (Revision of Constituencies) Act 1935, 1st Sch.: Revised constituencies (No. 5 of 1935, 1st Sch.). Act of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 4 October 2021.
  5. ^ Electoral (Amendment) Act 1974, Schedule: Constituencies (No. 7 of 1974, Schedule). Enacted on 7 May 1974. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
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  25. ^ a b "General election 2024: Donegal". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
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  30. ^ "Donegal Results 2016". Irelandelections.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
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  36. ^ Arthur Mitchell, ‘White, James Robert (1879–1946)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004
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  38. ^ "The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) May 15, 1921, Section One, Image 3". Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  39. ^ "New-York tribune., May 14, 1921, Page 2, Image 2, citing Associated Press". p. 2. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.