Kildare (Dáil constituency)

Kildare was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1923 to 1937 and from 1948 to 1997. The method of election was proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).

History and boundaries
Covering all or part of County Kildare, the constituency existed for two distinct periods: from 1923 to 1937, and from 1948 to 1997. From 1923 to 1937 Kildare elected 3 deputies (Teachtaí Dála, commonly known as TDs), until it was absorbed into a new Carlow–Kildare constituency in 1937. After its re-establishment in 1948 it initially elected 3 TDs. This was increased to 4 seats in 1961, reduced again to 3 in 1969, and increased to 5 from 1981 until its abolition in 1997. Its boundaries were significantly revised on several occasions.

The constituency was abolished for the 1997 general election, when it was replaced by two new constituencies: Kildare North and Kildare South.

1970 by-election
Following the death of Fine Gael TD Gerard Sweetman, a by-election was held on 14 April 1970. The seat was won by the Fine Gael candidate Patrick Malone.

1964 by-election
Following the death of Labour Party TD William Norton, a by-election was held on 19 February 1964. The seat was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Terence Boylan.

1931 by-election
Following the death of Labour Party TD Hugh Colohan, a by-election was held on 29 June 1931. The seat was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Thomas Harris.