READ: Do you know which Tipperary constituency you’re in this General Election?

The General Election is fast approaching and one key element for Tipperary people to take note of and understand is that the county has once again returned to two constituencies, Tipperary North and Tipperary South. 

The county has been whole for the past two General Elections with five Dáil seats held throughout Tipperary but with these new boundary changes comes one extra Dáil seat for the county with three seats available in each constituency. 

Not only is there one more seat to contend for but Tipperary North has gained some additional territory in the form of North West Kilkenny which encompasses the electoral divisions of Ballybeagh, Freshford, Rathealy, Tullaroan in the Rural District of Kilkenny and Baleen, Baunmore, Clomantagh, Galmoy, Glashare, Johnstown, Lisdowney, Tubbridbrittain, Urlingford in the form Rural District of Urlingford. 

There are a number of Kilkenny politicians within these areas but as of yet it is understood that none will run in the General Election. 

As well as the Kilkenny additions, the Tipperary North constituency will now consist of the following areas:

Aglishcloghane, Ballingarry, Ballylusky, Borrisokane, Carrig, Cloghjordan, Cloghprior, Clohaskin, Finnoe, Graigue, Kilbarron, Lorrha East, Lorrha West, Mertonhall, Rathcabban, Redwood, Riverstown, Terryglass, Uskane in the former Rural District of Borrisokane.

Clogher, Clonoulty East, Clonoulty West, Gaile, in the former Rural District of Cashel

Abington, Aghnameadle, Ardcrony, Ballina, Ballygibbon, Ballymackey, Ballynaclogh, Birdhill, Burgesbeg, Carrigatogher, Castletown, Derrycastle, Dolla, Kilcomenty, Kilkeary, Killoscully, Kilmore, Kilnaneave, Kilnarath, Knigh, Lackagh, Latteragh, Monsea, Nenagh Rural, Newport, Templederry, Youghalarra, in the former Rural District of Nenagh.

Borrisnafarney, Borrisnoe, Bourney East, Bourney West, Killavinoge, Killea, Rathnaveoge, Roscrea, Timoney, in the former Rural District of Roscrea.

Buolick, Fennor, Kilcooly, in the former Rural District of Slieveardagh; Ballycahill, Borrisoleigh, Drom, Foilnaman, Glenkeen, Gortkelly, Holycross, Inch, Kilrush, Littleton, Longfordpass, Loughmore, Moyaliff, Moycarky, Moyne, Rahelty, Templetouhy, Thurles Rural, Two-mile-Borris, Upperchurch, in the former Rural District of Thurles

Cappagh, Curraheen, Donohill, Glengar, in the former Rural District of Tipperary.

Nenagh East Urban, Nenagh West Urban, Templemore, Thurles Urban.

It’s worth having a good review of the above list as the former Rural District of Borrisokane as well as several areas in the former Rural District of Nenagh were previously belonging to the Offaly constituency, a number of areas that were previously in the Limerick City constituency and several places that were in the former Rural District of Cashel will all now vote for Tipperary North candidates. So now is the time to familiarise yourself with your local politicians if you have not done so already.

Tipperary South is slightly more straightforward. As you would expect, Clonmel, Cashel, Tipperary town, Carrick-on-suir and Cahir are all within the south constituency boundaries. The dividing line between north and south is more of a grey area, Emly, Lattin, Cullen, Monard, Donohill, Dundrum, Knockavilla, Boherlahan, Ballinure, Horse and Jockey, Derrynaflan, Ballinunty, Knockfinn, New Birmingham, Coalbrook, Bolintlea, The Commons and Ballingarry all fall within Tipperary South. North of these areas can be considered where the dividing line is between the two constituencies.

If you are below these areas and within the boundaries of the county, you can safely assume that you are voting in the Tipperary South constituency. However, some of the key areas in Tipperary South to take note of are: Kilross, Limerick Junction, Kilfeakle, Thomastown, Drishane, Thomastown, Golden, Dually, Ballinure, Moyglass, Killenaule, Knockruagh, Drangan, Mullinahone, Cloneen, Fethard, Ninemilehouse, Ballypatrick, Ballyneill, Rosegreen, New Inn, Ballyclerahan, Grange, The Steeple, Burncourt, Knockacraun, Grange, Clogheen, Newcastle, Lisronagh, Ballyneill and Ardfinnan.

Whether you're a part of either of the new constituencies, now is the time to familiarise yourself with your candidates and decide which one best aligns with what you want out of your future Government and local representatives.