Belmullet at a glance as the peninsula polls top spot in Mayo
Five Key Insights from the Belmullet Electoral Region
Belmullet’s remote geographic location failed to deter it from taking centre stage politically in county Mayo.
votes were counted and candidates scrutinised, the results offered a fascinating glimpse into the shifting allegiances and steadfast loyalties of the coastal community.
1.Rose Conway-Walsh’s commanding lead
Sinn Féin’s Rose Conway-Walsh emerged as the undisputed frontrunner, a performance that will surprise few in her home constituency. She expectedly romped to poll ahead of all and sundry in her home electoral area. The Erris native drew in almost 3,000 first preference votes from Belmullet boxes. Any talk of “Rose being in bother” was laughed out the door of the TF by her supporters, friends and families as she was deemed elected on the 6th count.
2. Ring factor endures
Despite the absence of former Minister Michael Ring, Fine Gael’s foothold in Belmullet remains intact, largely thanks to the grassroots work of veteran councillor Gerry Coyle and his loyal team in Geesala. The ‘Blueshirt’ tradition was upheld with 1,122 first-preference votes—a respectable figure that proved Coyle yet again an able deputy to uphold Michael Ring’s lasting legacy.
3. Calleary’s steady influence
Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary maintained his party’s presence in north-west through a well-coordinated campaign centred on health and community infrastructure. His advocacy for upgrades to Belmullet Community Hospital and plans for enhanced health services in north Mayo resonated strongly, reaffirming Calleary’s reputation as a politician attuned to local priorities.
4. Disappointment for Chris Maxwell
Independent candidate Chris Maxwell struggled to gain traction, managing just 160 first-preference votes in Mayo’s most rural electoral district. Despite his vocal advocacy on turf-cutting rights and rural issues in the Mayo County Council chamber, Maxwell’s campaign failed to translate into significant voter support, perhaps showing the challenge of competing against established party machines in this area.
5. A shifting political map
With Michael Ring now absent from the national and Mayo stage, Belmullet’s political terrain appears increasingly favourable to Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil. Rose Conway-Walsh is well-positioned to consolidate her dominance in the region, and the shifting dynamics suggest further gains for republican parties in the years ahead.
As the community continues to grapple with issues ranging from healthcare to rural development, the peninsula’s electoral preferences are likely to remain a bellwether for broader trends in west Mayo politics.