Figure 1: Total number of candidates selected by county/local authority area as of 31st January 2014. Not surprisingly, the higher number of candidates are associated with the more urban counties and/or the larger counties. But, as Figure 1 shows, there are some interesting exceptions here. Note that this information is only up to date as of Friday 31st January 2014 (3.00pm) – a series of selection conventions in one specific county/local authority area would of course significantly change that county/area’s relative ranking on an updated version of this map.
With all the final candidate lists added to the site now (including the candidates for the delayed Ballybay-Clones contest), I have accounted for 2,038 candidate selections/declarations for the 2014 Local Elections, as detailed across the different posts on this website.
The electoral areas with the highest number of selected/declared candidates, as accounted for across these different pages, are
- Ennis (27),
- Swords (26),
- Sligo (24),
- Balbriggan (23),
- Wexford and Letterkenny (22),
- Ballincollig-Carrigaline, Dun Laoghaire, Drogheda, Kildare-Newbridge and Conamara (21),
- Ballymun, Lucan, Clonmel, Nenagh, Carlow, Wicklow and Kilkenny-City East (20),
- North Inner City, Bray, West Cork and Limerick City East (19),
- Inishowen, Ballina, Templemore-Thurles, Limerick City West, Tramore-Waterford City West, Ardee, Gorey, New Ross, Beaumont-Donaghmede, Crumlin-Kimmage, Pembroke-South Dock, Castleknock and Dundrum (18),
- West Mayo, Ballyfermot-Drimnagh,Mulhuddart, Muinebeag and Celbridge-Leixlip (17),
- Donegal, Cabra-Finglas, Borris in Ossory-Mountmellick, Portlaoise, Naas, Killarney, Shannon, West Clare and Athenry-Oranmore (16),
- Galway City Central, Tuam, Maynooth, Athlone (Westmeath), Mullingar-Coole, Mullingar-Kilbeggan, Navan, Dundalk-Carlingford, Dundalk South, Cashel-Tipperary, Waterford City East, Listowel, South And West Kerry and Limerick City North (15).
In all, sixty three (46.0%) electoral areas have fifteen, or more, candidates contesting them. With just eight candidates, Ballyjamesduff will have the smallest number of candidates of any electoral area in the state. Next lowest are the electoral areas of Cork City North Central, Cork City North East, Ballinasloe and Carrick on Shannon with nine local election candidates each. Eight other electoral areas have just ten candidates, including Killaloe, Cork City South West, Stillorgan, Athy, Cappamore-Kilmallock, Ballymahon and Birr.
There will be an average of 2.15 candidates per seat at these City and County Council elections, up from an average level of 2.07 at the 2009 elections.
The electoral area with the highest candidate numbers per seat ratio is Ennis, with an average of 3.38 candidates per seat, just ahead of Wicklow and Kilkenny City-East, both with candidates per seat ratios of 3.33. Cork City North West has a candidates per seat ratio of 3.25, while a candidates per seat ratio of 3.00 is associated with Tramore-Waterford City West, Ardee and Crumlin-Kimmage.
The electoral area with the lowest candidate numbers per seat ratio is Ballyjamesduff, with an average of 1.33 candidates per seat, just ahead of Cappamore-Kilmallock, with a candidates per seat ratios of 1.43. A candidates per seat ratio of 1.50 is associated with a number of electoral areas, including Clondalkin, Ballinasloe, Enniscorthy and Carrick-On-Shannon.
Irish Elections: Geography, Facts and Analyses 