Michael Cahill’s father, the late Tom, was a Fianna Fáil councillor. A councillor himself for 34 years, this is Michael’s first run at the Dáil. He had twice previously sought a seat in the Seanad and failed.

A strong vote-getter, the native of Rossbeigh on the edge of the Atlantic left Fianna Fáil in 2011 and canvassed for Tom Fleming, who also left the party. Fleming was elected as an Independent, unseating former minister John O’Donoghue, with Cahill acting as his parliamentary secretary for a while.

Cahill (58) did return to Fianna Fáil in 2016, but has never been forgiven by some for leaving. He sought the party nomination previously and failed to get it.

Married to Brenda, the couple have four children and run a bed-and-breakfast business, hosting Ukrainians since the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

Much of Cahill’s success is being credited to close adviser and strategist Brian Sugrue, a native of Killarney and nephew of late seanchaí Eamonn Kelly.