The constituency returned all five sitting TDs for the first time in its history. Progressive Democrats TD Noel Grealish defied all odds to double his first preference vote, as one of the party's only two surviving deputies, while the Green Party's much-tipped candidate, Mayor of Galway Niall Ó Brolcháin, failed to make it.
Fianna Fáil's Eamon Ó Cuív repeated his poll-topping performance of five years ago when he was deemed elected on the first count on Friday. Eighteen hours later the second seat was filled by Labour Party president Michael D Higgins. He was elected on the 10th count after the elimination of Ó Brolcháin, and he declared it his best election result since 1992 when Labour topped the poll.
Fine Gael's Pádraic McCormack, who had initially said he did not wish to stand again, was returned on the 12th count - boosted by the transfer of 3,733 votes from running mate Cllr Fidelma Healy Eames. Grealish and Fianna Fáil's Frank Fahey took the fourth and fifth seats respectively without reaching the quota on the 13th count, with the elimination of Fianna Fáil's third candidate, Mike Crowe.
Ó Brolcháin blamed the "national squeeze on smaller parties" for his failure to win a seat.
Former Fianna Fáil senator Margaret Cox's late entry as an independent was cited by observers as one of the main reasons for her disappointing showing - although it may have cost Crowe the elusive third Fianna Fáil seat.
Overall change: No change
Outgoing TDs
Eamon Ó Cuív FF
Frank Fahey FF
Padraic McCormack FG
Michael D Higgins Lab
Noel GrealishPD
