Compiled by EveryElectionResult.com's data team · Last updated 2026-08-30
Séan Hayes (Sinn Féin) were elected unopposed for West Cork at the 1918 general election. This page covers every general election in West Cork from 1885 to 1918.
Full Election History, 1885–1918
Election
Elected
Votes
Vote Share
Runner-up
Majority
Turnout
1885
James Gilhooly (Irish Parliamentary Party)
3,920
91.3%
John Warren Payne (Irish Unionist)
3,547 (82.6 pts)
70.1%
1886
James Gilhooly (Irish Parliamentary Party)
Elected unopposed — no other candidate stood, no vote count on record
0.0%
1892
Jame Gilhooly (Irish Parliamentary Party)
3,155
90.6%
Somers Payne (Irish Unionist)
2,826 (81.1 pts)
59.5%
1895
James Gilhooly (Irish Parliamentary Party)
Elected unopposed — no other candidate stood, no vote count on record
0.0%
1900
James Gilhooly (Irish Parliamentary Party)
Elected unopposed — no other candidate stood, no vote count on record
0.0%
1906
James Gilhooly (Irish Parliamentary Party)
Elected unopposed — no other candidate stood, no vote count on record
0.0%
Dec 1910
James Gilhooly (All-for-Ireland)
2,218
53.1%
Daniel O'Leary (Irish Parliamentary Party)
259 (6.2 pts)
7.3%
Jan 1910
James Gilhooly (All-for-Ireland)
2,155
60.9%
Daniel O'Leary (Irish Parliamentary Party)
773 (21.9 pts)
61.8%
1918
Séan Hayes (Sinn Féin)
Elected unopposed — no other candidate stood, no vote count on record
0.0%
Full Result Breakdown by Election
1885
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Gilhooly
Irish Parliamentary Party
3,920
91.3%
Yes
John Warren Payne
Irish Unionist
373
8.7%
No
1886
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Gilhooly
Irish Parliamentary Party
Unopposed
Yes
1892
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
Jame Gilhooly
Irish Parliamentary Party
3,155
90.6%
Yes
Somers Payne
Irish Unionist
329
9.4%
No
1895
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Gilhooly
Irish Parliamentary Party
Unopposed
Yes
1900
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Gilhooly
Irish Parliamentary Party
Unopposed
Yes
1906
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Gilhooly
Irish Parliamentary Party
Unopposed
Yes
Dec 1910
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Gilhooly
All-for-Ireland
2,218
53.1%
Yes
Daniel O'Leary
Irish Parliamentary Party
1,959
46.9%
No
Jan 1910
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Gilhooly
All-for-Ireland
2,155
60.9%
Yes
Daniel O'Leary
Irish Parliamentary Party
1,382
39.1%
No
1918
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
Séan Hayes
Sinn Féin
Unopposed
Yes
Margin Over Time
Winning margin (percentage points) at each election, coloured by the winning party.
Trend
West Cork has been contested at 9 general elections on record since 1885. Parties that have won a seat here over that span: Irish Parliamentary Party, All-for-Ireland, Sinn Féin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won West Cork in the 1918 general election?
Séan Hayes (Sinn Féin) were elected unopposed for West Cork in 1918 -- no other candidate stood.
Which parties have won West Cork since 1885?
Since 1885, West Cork has been won by: All-for-Ireland, Irish Parliamentary Party, Sinn Féin.
What was the closest result in West Cork?
The closest result on record for West Cork was Dec 1910, when All-for-Ireland beat Irish Parliamentary Party by just 259 votes (6.2 percentage points).