Of the 138 by-election outcomes, the first 50 took place 1923–1949, the next 50 1952–76. Only 38 so far in the 50 years since then, mainly because it's now much rarer for TDs to die in office. 4th Dáil (1923–27) saw 21 seats filled through by-elections, by far the largest number of any Dáil.

Of the 138 TDs elected at the 136 Dáil by-elections (two by-elections in 1925 each returned two TDs), nine (so far) have gone on to become a party leader, and a further two party leaders were first elected at Westminster by-elections in the summer of 1917.

Irish Labour Party @labour.ie has won 10 of the 136 by-elections to have taken place since the foundation of the independent Irish state. Its first success, exactly 100 years ago today (18 Feb 1926), came in Dublin County, when future party leader William Norton was elected.

Gail McElroy and Theresa Reidy bring expertise to discussion of How Ireland Voted 2024 and what the book tells us about the current state of Irish politics in a recent Irish Times podcast @irishtimes.com:
irishtimes.com/podcasts/inside-politics/irish-politics-shifted-left-why/

Concerns about stocks of How Ireland Voted 2024 running low have been allayed, temporarily at least, as Hodges Figgis on Dawson St Dublin 2 have plenty of copies at the moment.

In Japan election 8 Feb 2026, LDP seems to have won 43% votes, 68% seats. Further evidence that the mixed-member majoritarian electoral system (used also in Andorra, South Korea, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Senegal, Seychelles, Taiwan) can produce highly disproportional outcomes.

Two Dáil vacancies arose in Nov 2025, yet Taoiseach states neither by-election to be held before May 2026. Unfortunately, the court-directed maximum of 6 months seems now to be regarded as an acceptable norm:
www.rte.ie/news/politic...

In UK, much attention on Gorton&D by-election; MP resigned seat 23 Jan, by-eln 26 Feb, 34 days later. No reason why by-elns in Ireland shouldn’t be held as promptly; 6 months lacuna allowed by courts far too long, & anyway there's no bar on moving the writ sooner.
bbc.com/news/articles/crkrpgvkd0no

Some high quality football action, and a good book to read during half-time.

Prof Theresa Reidy of UCC, co-editor of How Ireland Voted 2024, discusses the book, incl some discussion re choice of contributors, with David McCullagh on RTE Radio 1 22 Jan 26:
rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22577527/

Co-editors Theresa Reidy and Eoin O'Malley, with distinguished launcher Pat Leahy of Irish Times, at launch of How Ireland Voted 2024 in Hodges Figgis Dublin on 21 Jan 26, definitive study of Ireland’s 2024 elections (general, local and Euro Parliament). Copies still available to purchase.

A great view, and some good reading to hand as well.

Intriguing match coming up tomorrow in Spanish Segunda division (futbol), AD Ceuta vs FC Andorra. One team in Europe but not in Spain, the other in Spain but not in Europe.

It really is a special time of the year ...
tcd.ie/Political_Science/about/people/michael_gallagher/HowIrelandVoted2024.php

The time between christmas and new year is usually a time of little political activity. But not this year in Kosovo, where a general election will take place on 28 December. Kosovo becomes the 12th European country since 1945 to hold more than 1 election in a calendar year.

How Ireland Voted 2024 now available (in full colour printing) from all good bookshops and probably some bad ones too. Full of outstanding analysis and fascinating facts. 13 chapters, 6 Appendices, 33 Tables, 41 Figures, 19 pages of great photos.