Election 2024Constituency Profile

Wicklow-Wexford constituency profile: Creation of new constituency welcomed in its two major towns

Arklow has never had its own Dáil deputy in the century since the State was founded

Wicklow-Wexford Constituency map
Election 2024: The new Wicklow-Wexford constituency was welcomed in its two major towns, Arklow and Gorey
Harry McGee's picture
Harry McGee
Thu Nov 07 2024 - 12:22

Outgoing TDs: None. New constituency.

Who are the candidates running in the Wicklow-Wexford constituency? Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fáil), Peir Leonard (Independent), Pat Kennedy (Fianna Fáil), Fionntán Ó Súillebháin (Sinn Féin), Brian Brennan (Fine Gael), Aislinn O’Keeffe (Solidarity), Ann Walsh (Green Party)

This new constituency did not meet with universal acclaim in the two counties of Wexford and Wicklow but was welcomed in its two major towns, Arklow in south Wicklow and Gorey in north Wexford, neither of which has a TD at present.

In fact, Arklow has never had its own Dáil Deputy in the century since the State was founded – the nearest was Paudge Brennan from Carnew, who was a Fianna Fáil TD until 1987. In Gorey, it’s not such a dismal tale. Fianna Fáil’s Malcolm Byrne from Gorey was briefly a TD in 2019 – before that the Darcy family were the north Wexford standard-bearers for Fine Gael.

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There isn’t a huge number of candidates. Surprisingly Fine Gael is running only one, Brian Brennan, a hotelier from Arklow. Byrne, a sitting Senator, is seen as the Fianna Fáil front-runner but his colleague, Pat Kennedy from Rathdrum, should not be dismissed.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are expected to take one seat each. The last seat looks like it will be between Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin councillor form Gorey, Fionntán Ó Suilleabháin and the Arklow Independent councillor, Peir Leonard, who is a ceramicist by profession. She could sneak in and take a seat in a part of the State that has had its fair share of Independents.

Will Fine Gael run a second candidate? It could be Peter Stapleton from Baltinglass in the west of the constituency but, as of now, there is only one.

Profile and issues: The constituency extends from Rathdrum in Wicklow to Kilmuckridge in Wexford. The population split is 58/42 in favour of Wexford. It’s a commuting constituency, with many new residents working in Dublin. It’s also a major tourism centre for Dublin families, and quite a few Dubliners ‘silver geese’ have moved here in recent years, living in towns and villages close to the major beaches.

Consequently, lack of rail infrastructure and traffic jams on the N11 are big issues. Tourism is also a really important source of income for North Wexford, in particular. There is pressure on healthcare, with GP patient registers full.

Gorey’s population has increased by 14 per cent since the 2016 census while Arklow’s growth has been slower. However, the completion of the wastewater treatment plant in the town should lead to strong growth in this slightly ignored maritime centre. Farm income support is also important in this predominantly rural region.

Possible outcome: FF 1, FG 1, SF 1