Constituency Profile:

This three-seat constituency replaces the old Limerick West, but there have been very significant changes to the boundaries of the new constituency.

A population of over 13,000 people in the west Limerick areas of Athea, Ardagh, Glin and the western hinterland of Newcastle West, has been transferred out to Kerry North-West Limerick. At the same time, an even larger population of over 17,000 people has been transferred in to the constituency from the old Limerick East constituency.

This latter area comprises the north east of Co Limerick and includes the southern and eastern approaches to Limerick City.

The population of the new constituency, taking into account all these changes, would be 75,295 based on the 2006 Census. The changes have altered the character of the constituency to some degree. The 2006 census showed that Limerick West already had a large number of commuters, but the area lost to Kerry North had a slightly more rural character, while the new areas to the east are more suburban, with many more inhabitants commuting into Limerick City for work.

Newcastle West and Rathkeale are the other major population centres, while other towns include Abbeyfeale, Adare, Askeaton, Croom, Bruff, Bruree, Dromcolliher, Kilmallock and Patrickswell.

While the local economy is still dependent on agriculture to some extent, the constituency has a large manufacturing sector and Europe’s largest alumina refinery, the Russian-owned Rusal Aughinish, is a major employer.

Askeaton-based Pfizer also remains a major employer despite some recent job losses as the parent company re-organises. Pallas Foods and Ballygowan Water are major employers in the western part of the constituency, although there have been concerns over recently announced cut backs at the latter operation.

Many constituents worked for Dell at Raheen, or worked for companies dependent on Dell, and the loss of 1,900 jobs at the company in 2009 was a serious blow to the entire region. Adare is a tourist destination with many tours of Ireland’s south-west stopping off in the village. The town is also a major golf destination.

Constituency Boundaries: There has been a major revision of the boundaries of this constituency since 2007. (See above)

Seats: Three

2007 Quota: 10,108

2011 Candidates

Sitting TDs: John Cregan (FF), Niall Collins (FF), Dan Neville (FG)

TDs not seeking re-election: John Cregan (FF)

General Election 2007:

Historically, Fianna Fáil dominated the old constituency of Limerick West, with the exception of a shock 1997 result when internal tension within Fianna Fáil allowed Fine Gael to take two seats.

Fianna Fáil took back its second seat in 2002 and there seemed little likelihood of it losing it in 2007. Sitting TD John Cregan, who had comfortably topped the poll in 2002, was joined on the ticket by Councillor Niall Collins, nephew of former TDs, Michael and Gerry.

While the party was unable to match its impressive 53.4% vote share in 2002, it still managed 47.2% and Mr Collins exceeded the quota on the first count with 25.7%. Mr Cregan was close behind on the first preferences and comfortably took the second seat on the third count. The Fine Gael vote share fell slightly in 2007, to 40%, but there was little doubt that the party would take the final seat, although there was again a close competition between the party’s two candidates, sitting TD Dan Neville and Senator Michael Finucane.

Mr Neville took 20.6% of the first preferences, slightly ahead of Mr Finucane, and also did better on transfers to take the final seat by just under 1,000 votes – a much more comfortable winning margin than the single vote he had won by in 2002.

There had been no Labour candidate here in 2002, so James Heffernan’s vote share of 5.6% for the party was relatively impressive. Former Fianna Fáil Senator Michael Brennan stood for the Progressive Democrats and took 4.8% of the vote.

2002 Turnout: 67.1%
2007 Turnout: 69.5% (figures for old Limerick West constituency)

Oireachtas Constituency Information

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