Dublin Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects four deputies (Teachtaí Dála, commonly known as TDs) on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).
Constituency profile Dublin Central is regarded as one of the most social and ethnically diverse constituencies in Ireland. It contains Dublin's main shopping district and financial areas. The constituency consists of largely traditional working class areas such as East Wall, North Strand, Summerhill, Ballybough, Sheriff Street and Cabra with more suburban middle class Glasnevin and Drumcondra on the northern fringes of the constituency.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern won the first seat in the constituency at every election from its creation in 1981 until his retirement in 2011. Such was Ahern's pull in the constituency that he was always always able to get at least one running mate also elected, and at the peak of Fianna Fáil popularity in the constituency in the late 1980s, three out of five seats were held by the party. However, Fianna Fáil has not been represented in the constituency since the 2011 general election and the end of the Celtic Tiger.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the remaining seat swung to left-wing candidates such as those of the Labour Party or left-wing independents such as Tony Gregory. In the 2020s, the constituency became a hub of centre-left TDs.
Boundaries A Dublin Central constituency was created for the first time in 1969 and used at the 1969 and 1973 general elections. It originally spanned both sides of the River Liffey and took in inner city Dublin. It was abolished in 1977, and recreated with different boundaries in 1981. It is now exclusively on the northside of the Liffey. The Dublin Central constituency is located in the north inner city and suburbs of Dublin and encompasses an area to the north side of the river Liffey including: Stoneybatter, Mountjoy Square, Phibsborough, Cabra, Dorset Street, Henrietta Street, O'Connell Street, Arbour Hill, Navan Road, Glasnevin, North Wall, East Wall and Drumcondra.
The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2023 defines the constituency as:
+ Changes to the Dublin Central constituencyYearsTDsBoundariesNotes1969–19774Transfer of Inns Quay, Rotunda and part of Arran Quay from Dublin North-Central;
transfer of Usher's, Wood Quay and parts of Merchants Quay and Royal Exchange from Dublin South-Central.1977–1981—Constituency abolishedTransfer of Inns Quay and parts of Arran Quay to Dublin Cabra;
transfer of Rotunda to Dublin North-Central;
transfer of Usher's, Wood Quay and parts of Merchants Quay and Royal Exchange to Dublin South-Central.1981–19875Transfer of Arran Quay A, B, C, D and E, Cabra East A, B and C, Cabra West B, Inns Quay B and C, and parts of Cabra West A and C from Dublin Cabra;
Drumcondra South C, Glasnevin A and B, Inns Quay A from Dublin Finglas; and
Ballybough A and B, Clontarf West D and E, Drumcondra South A and B, Mountjoy A and B, North City, North Dock A, B and C, Rotunda A and B from Dublin North-Central.1987–19925Transfer of the wards of Cabra West D and E and the balance of the wards of Cabra West A and C from Dublin West.1992–19974Transfer to Dublin North-Central of the Marino - Fairview - North Strand area;
transfer to Dublin North-West of the area bounded on the south by the Royal Canal, lona Road and St Alphonsus Road and on the east by Drumcondra Road;
Transfer from Dublin West of the Ashtown, Phoenix Park, Islandbridge, Kilmainham, Inchicore, Ballyfermot (part) and Chapelizod areas.1997–20024Transfer of the Phibsboro/Drumcondra area to Dublin North-West;
transfer the North Docks area to Dublin North-Central;
transfer of the Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard area from Dublin West.2002–20074Transfer of Ballyfermot, Inchicore and Kilmainham area to Dublin South-Central;
transfer of Ballybough and North Docks area from Dublin North-Central;
transfer of parts of Cabra and Drumcondra from Dublin North-West.2007–20114Transfer of Phoenix Park (part south of Chapelizod Road and Conyngham Road and Parkgate Street) to Dublin South-Central.2016–20203Transfer of Ashtown A, Ashtown B and remaining part of Phoenix Park to Dublin West;
Transfer of Botanic A, Botanic B, Botanic C and Drumcondra South C to Dublin North-West.2020–4Transfer of Botanic A, Botanic B, Botanic C and Drumcondra South C from Dublin North-West;
transfer of Drumcondra South A from Dublin Bay North.
TDs TDs 1969–1977
TDs since 1981
Elections
2026 by-election
2024 general election
2020 general election
2016 general election
2011 general election
2009 by-election Following the death of independent TD Tony Gregory, a by-election was held on 5 June 2009. It was won by Independent candidate Maureen O'Sullivan.
2007 general election
2002 general election
1997 general election
1992 general election
1989 general election
1987 general election
1983 by-election Fianna Fáil TD George Colley died on 17 September 1983. The by-election was held on 23 November 1983 and was won by Fianna Fáil candidate Tom Leonard.
November 1982 general election
February 1982 general election
1981 general election
1973 general election
1969 general election
See also Elections in the Republic of Ireland Politics of the Republic of Ireland List of Dáil by-elections List of political parties in the Republic of Ireland
References
External links Oireachtas Constituency Dashboards Oireachtas Members Database Dublin Historic Maps: Parliamentary & Dail Constituencies 1780-1969 (a work in progress) Dublin Historic Maps: Dublin Wards