Mayo Election 2024: Who are the candidates and who could make gains? Everything you need to know before voting

At the outset two points are notable.

Mayo's most consistent poll-topper former Minister Michael Ring (Fine Gael) is retiring. The constituency is gaining an extra seat and will go from a four to a five seater. Incumbent Ministers of State Alan Dillon (FG) and Dara Calleary (FF) are considered the safest with Dillon predicted to top the poll.

Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway Walsh was looking safe but has the sand shifted under her feet in recent weeks due to her party's controversies? Observers think so.

Her camp are worried and it's hard to blame them.

Despite her popularity locally, Sinn Fein's national woes will have an impact.

And the addition of former Independent Ballina based Cllr Mark Duffy to the Fine Gael ticket will also hurt her chances.

Current TDs (Four seats) Michael Ring (FG), Alan Dillon (FG), Dara Calleary (FF), Rose Conway Walsh (SF)

Who could make gains here? Such was Michael Ring's popularity a significant proportion of his vote was personal and across party lines so where they will now go is hard to predict.

But with an extra seat added in the constituency is a big opportunity for Senator Lisa Chambers to win back the seat she narrowly lost in 2020.

Her strong performance in the European elections and her increased profile has placed her in serious contention.

If Dillon and Calleary are taken out of the equation there will be a battle royale for the three remaining seats between Lisa Chamber (FF), Martina Jennings (FG), Mark Duffy (FG) Rose Conway Walsh (SF) and Patsy O'Brien (IND). `

For Fine Gael, Keira Keogh, from Westport is popular locally but relatively unknown despite narrowly missing out on a council seat.

Martina Jennings, in her role as CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice, had to be apolitical but has had links to Fianna Fail in the past.

She is highly capable and ambitious as is her running mate Councillor Mark Duffy in Ballina.

The fly in the ointment for Jennings is former Fine Gael Councillor, now Independent Patsy O'Brien.

The two live locally to each other and O'Brien who topped the poll in the recent local elections is predicted to do well and depending on who you talk to could take the final seat.

Jennings has contacts all over Mayo and will pull votes across party lines.

O'Brien also has a strong chance and is expected to hoover up a sizable amount of Ring's personal votes.

Who between O'Brien and Jennings is eliminated first will elect the other in transfers, sources say.

Mark Duffy is regarded as "one to watch" in terms of his future political career but there are fears he came to the Fine Gael ticket too late in this election cycle.

Outside of the main parties the only candidate is considered to have a chance of election - Independent Cllr Patsy O'Brien.

Are there any boundary changes to note? There is now an extra seat added in the constituency.

What are the issues under the spotlight? The main issues candidates are finding on the doorsteps are:

The cost of living, the public is using the opportunity to vent about the increased cost of everyday life from groceries, fuel, and rent. Secondly, the lack of affordable housing available to buy or rent in the county is also a major issue on the doors. Thirdly, the public are reporting their concerns around the provision of health care in Mayo.

Dara Calleary (FF)*

Lisa Chambers (FF)

Alan Dillon (FG)*

Kiera Keogh (FG)

Mark Duffy (FG)

Martina Jennings (FG)

Rose Conway Walsh (SF)*

Micheál Boxty O'Connaill (GP)

Chris Maxwell (Ind Ire)

Paul Lawless (Aontú)

Joe Daly (PBP)

Patsy O'Brien (IND)

Stephen Kerr (IND)

Further candidates may be added to the ballot

*Indicates sitting TDs