There was a major surprise in the count for the Administrative panel when Mark Daly, a political unknown, coasted home for Fianna Fáil.
Mr Daly, an auctioneer based in Kenmare, Co Kerry, launched an intensive campaign 18 months ago, and it paid off handsomely, as he finished third in first preferences, ahead of more experienced and high-profile colleagues.
The count produced no change in political representation, with Fianna Fáil securing four seats, Fine Gael two and Labour one.
Mr Daly's strong performance surprised many of his colleagues, given that it was his first contest for elected office. The intensity of his campaign, his close association with Cork-based Munster Fianna Fáil MEP Brian Crowley, and the trumpeting of his family's republican background clearly paid off. A relative played a prominent part on the republican side in the Civil War and was associated with the Blaney family in Donegal.
He sent a copy of the film The Wind that Shakes the Barley, which deals with the War of Independence and the Civil War, to Seanad voters.
Mr Daly (34) told The Irish Times that he got votes from right across the political divide. "A big factor was my association with Brian Crowley. I worked with him in his first European campaign when it was considered that he had no hope," he said.
Mr Daly is understood to have received Sinn Féin's 58 Seanad votes, but he denied that any deal had been done with the party.
The new Senator participated in an RTÉ reality television programme, based in Fiji, some years ago.
"We were five weeks stranded on an island, slowly starving and undertaking challenges, but nothing I have done has been as challenging as the Seanad election," he said.
Party headquarters will now view Mr Daly as a future TD. He shares the same Kerry South constituency as Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue, who will be automatically returned for the party at the next general election.
The count for the Administrative panel also saw the election of defeated Fine Gael Dáil candidates Nicky McFadden and Paschal Donohoe. Ms McFadden narrowly lost in Longford-Westmeath and Mr O'Donohoe in Dublin Central.
Labour's victor was Brendan Ryan, who failed to take his brother Sean's seat in Dublin North in the general election.
Two other defeated general election candidates, Fine Gael's Gerard Murphy, Cork North West, and Fianna Fáil's John Callanan, Galway East, failed to get seats. They now have to consider contesting the local elections in two years' time if they want to revive their political careers.
Outgoing Fianna Fáil Senators Tony Kett, a close associate of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern; Diarmuid Wilson; and Camillus Glynn held their seats.
