General election 2024: Where each party won the most votes

Tomas Doherty

Fianna Fáíl and Fine Gael look set to be returned to power after the general election on Friday, but where did they win the most votes?

The national vote share shows Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on 21.9 per cent and 20.8 per cent first-preference votes respectively, with Sinn Féin on 19 per cent.

Fianna Fáil looks on course to secure the most seats and had a relatively stable vote in many areas.

It took the highest share of the vote in 12 constituencies, including 37.8 per cent of the vote in Clare and 36.8 per cent in Cork South-Central, which is party leader Micheál Martin's constituency.

The party's vote remains weakest in parts of Dublin and the capital's commuter belt.

Fianna Fáil's worst performance was in Wicklow, where outgoing health minister Stephen Donnelly secured 6.2 per cent of first-preference votes.

Fine Gael performed well in Dún Laoghaire, Mayo and Wicklow, likely taking multiple seats in each constituency.

However, support for the party plummeted in Donegal and Kerry, taking only 9 per cent and 10 per cent of first-preference votes respectively.

Sinn Féin saw its vote drop by 5.5 points nationally compared to the 2020 election.

The party still polled well in border counties and in urban areas, but remains weaker in some southern and western constituencies.

Fortunes varied for the smaller parties. The Green Party and Aontú fielded candidates in every constituency, but the Greens lost ground almost everywhere, while Aontú saw consistent increases in vote share.

Labour and the Social Democrats also made gains though they stood in fewer constituencies.

Independent Ireland's vote was concentrated in midlands and western constituencies, with candidates in Dublin failing to break through.

Attention is now turning to the potential make-up of the next coalition government.

While giving a good gauge of the parties’ expected returns, first preference shares do not necessarily correlate to actual seats won, with those depending on the complex and often unpredictable way transfers are allocated.

Fianna Fáil nevertheless appears on track to significantly increase its seat lead over Fine Gael compared with the last election when the parties were much closer to parity.

If Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael do return to power, they could need one of the smaller parties to reach the required 88 seats to form a majority.

Another option may see the two parties seek the support of some of the Dail’s Independent TDs to help it put together a workable government.

The Social Democrats and the Labour Party appear the most realistic junior partners.