Independent Senator Michael McDowell Secures Landslide Victory in NUI Seanad Election
Independent Senator Michael McDowell has emerged as the clear winner in the National University of Ireland (NUI) Seanad election, securing a decisive victory on the first count with 11,390 votes.His notable performance resulted in a surplus of 2,361 votes, setting the tone for a highly anticipated election cycle.
Outgoing Senator Rónan Mullen trailed in second place with 7,452 votes, closely followed by Senator Alice Mary Higgins, who garnered 6,872 votes. Both are expected to retain their seats when counting resumes at 10 am on Thursday.
The NUI panel saw a diverse range of candidates vying for positions.Green Party Councillor Eva Dowling polled 3,239 first preferences, while geriatrician Rónán Collins secured 2,604 votes. The election, marked by its competitive nature, reflects the growing engagement of voters in shaping Ireland’s legislative future.
Meanwhile, in the Trinity College Dublin panel, Senator Lynn Ruane topped the poll with 3,761 votes, followed by fellow Senator Tom Clonan with 3,473 votes. Entrepreneur Aubrey McCarthy secured third place with 1,814 votes, while former rugby international Hugo MacNeill and Green Party Councillor Hazel Chu rounded out the top five with 1,684 and 1,450 votes, respectively.
The election also saw its share of unique moments, with 24 spoiled votes including messages such as “1 person 1 vote” and “shitehawk Central.” Some NUI ballots carried calls for Seanad reform and support for a free Palestine, highlighting the diverse concerns of the electorate.
Key Highlights of the Seanad Election
Table of Contents
| Panel | Leading Candidate | Votes | Key Contenders |
|———————|—————————–|———–|—————————————-|
| NUI | Michael McDowell (Independent) | 11,390 | Rónan Mullen, Alice Mary Higgins |
| Trinity College | Lynn Ruane (Independent) | 3,761 | Tom Clonan, Aubrey McCarthy |
The quota for election was set at 4,450 votes from a total valid poll of 17,797. Counting for the five vocational panels is set to begin at 11 am on Thursday, following the closure of voting.
senator Lynn Ruane’s strong performance in the Trinity College panel, where she secured 21.45% of the vote, underscores her growing influence in Irish politics.Fellow Senator Tom Clonan followed with 19.75%,while entrepreneur Aubrey McCarthy and Hugo MacNeill secured 10.36% and 9.21%, respectively.
Green Party representatives also made their mark, with Hazel Chu and Ossian Smyth polling 7.95% and 7.63%, respectively. Their performance reflects the party’s continued efforts to expand its presence in Irish governance.
As the counting continues, the election serves as a reminder of the importance of voter participation in shaping Ireland’s political landscape. For those interested in learning more about the election process, NUI and Trinity graduates could storm some barricades if they register to vote – now.
Stay tuned for updates as the results unfold and the future of Ireland’s Seanad takes shape.The Seanad election is drawing to a close, with the final votes being cast and counting set to begin. The election, which has been ongoing since mid-January, will determine the 49 seats across seven vocational and university panels. Counting is expected to start on Wednesday, with results anticipated late into the night [1].
In the Dublin University (Trinity College) panel, incumbent senators Lynn Ruane and Tom Clonan are seeking re-election, while the third seat remains vacant following the retirement of David Norris last year. with an estimated 18,000 ballots cast, the Trinity quota is expected to be around 4,500 votes. Ms.Ruane remarked, “I don’t see anyone being elected on the first count,” highlighting the competitive nature of the race. Counting for this panel will take place in the public theater, better known as the exam hall, and is expected to conclude around midnight [1].
Meanwhile, the National University of Ireland (NUI) panel has seen a partial tally, with michael McDowell leading at 31%, followed by Rónán Mullen at 21% and Alice-Mary Higgins at 18%. green Party councillor eva Dowling is in fourth place with 9%, while consultant geriatrician Rónán Collins holds 8%. The NUI electorate stands at 112,832, with an estimated turnout of 36,000, or close to 32%. One tally official noted that the pattern in postal votes was consistent, as “the bags of votes are from all over the place” and not geographically specific [1].
High-profile candidates like former minister for children Katherine Zappone are expected to struggle in the election. The Green Party also faces challenges, as its two candidates, Ossian Smyth and Hazel Chu, are likely to split the green vote. Labor’s candidate, Sadhbh O’Neill, is currently in seventh place with 5.7%, while Hugo macneill, a former Irish rugby international, is running for the third time after unsuccessful attempts in 2020 and 2022 [1].
Looking ahead, the next Seanad election in 2029 will see an expanded list of graduates from 15 colleges voting for six higher education senators, all on one panel. This change aims to broaden representation and inclusivity in the Seanad [1].The counting for the five vocational panels, where 111 candidates are competing for 43 seats, will begin with the Cultural and education panel and is expected to extend into the bank holiday Monday. Once the seven panel counts are completed, Taoiseach Micheál Martin will nominate 11 senators to complete the Seanad’s 60 Upper House members [1].
| Panel | Key Candidates | Turnout | Quota |
|————————–|—————————————-|————-|———–|
| Dublin university | Lynn Ruane, Tom Clonan | 23-24% | ~4,500 |
| NUI | Michael McDowell, Rónán Mullen | ~32% | N/A |
| Vocational Panels | 111 candidates for 43 seats | N/A | N/A |
The Seanad election remains a pivotal moment in Irish politics, with candidates vying for representation across diverse panels.As the counting begins, all eyes are on the results that will shape the future of the Upper House.
Seanad Election 2025: Key Insights adn Results
Editor: Can you provide an overview of the Seanad election results so far?
Guest: Certainly. The 2025 Seanad election has been a closely watched event in Irish politics, with candidates vying for 49 seats across seven vocational and university panels. One of the standout performances was from Senator Lynn Ruane in the Dublin University (Trinity College) panel, where she secured 21.45% of the vote. this underscores her growing influence in Irish politics. Fellow Senator Tom Clonan followed with 19.75%, while entrepreneur aubrey McCarthy and Hugo macneill secured 10.36% and 9.21%, respectively.
Editor: How did the Green Party fare in this election?
Guest: The Green Party made a notable impact, with representatives Hazel Chu and Ossian Smyth polling 7.95% and 7.63%, respectively. Their performance reflects the party’s continued efforts to expand its presence in Irish governance. However, it’s worth noting that the Green Party faced challenges as their two candidates were likely to split the green vote.
Editor: What about the National University of Ireland (NUI) panel? How did the candidates perform there?
Guest: In the NUI panel, a partial tally shows Michael McDowell leading with 31%, followed by Rónán Mullen at 21% and Alice-Mary Higgins at 18%. Green Party councillor Eva Dowling is in fourth place with 9%, while consultant geriatrician Rónán Collins holds 8%.The NUI electorate stands at 112,832,with an estimated turnout of 36,000,or close to 32%.
Editor: When will the counting for the vocational panels begin, and what can we expect?
Guest: Counting for the five vocational panels, where 111 candidates are competing for 43 seats, will begin with the Cultural and Education Panel and is expected to extend into the bank holiday Monday.Once the seven panel counts are completed, Taoiseach Micheál Martin will nominate 11 senators to complete the Seanad’s 60 Upper House members.
Editor: What changes are anticipated for the next Seanad election in 2029?
Guest: Looking ahead, the next Seanad election in 2029 will see an expanded list of graduates from 15 colleges voting for six higher education senators, all on one panel. This change aims to broaden representation and inclusivity in the Seanad, reflecting a more diverse and representative Upper House.
Conclusion
The 2025 Seanad election has been a pivotal moment in irish politics, with candidates vying for representation across diverse panels. As the counting continues, the results will shape the future of the Upper house, highlighting the importance of voter participation in shaping Ireland’s political landscape. Stay tuned for updates as the final results unfold.