Fermanagh and Omagh District Council

The old Fermanagh District Council and Omagh District Council were simply amalgamated to create the aptly named Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

The 2019 elections saw losses for both main nationalist parties. Sinn Féin lost seats in Enniskillen and East Erne, while the SDLP lost both of its seats in Omagh and a third in Mid-Tyrone. Alliance picked up a seat in Omagh, gaining representation on the council for the first time. Although they did not win any seats, Fermanagh and Omagh represented Aontú's best performances across all 11 councils in 2019. The election also saw a marked increase in the number of Independents on the council. Fermanagh and Omagh recorded the highest turnout of the election with 62.4%, compared to 52.7% for all of Northern Ireland.

map
Map by Conal Kelly



Summary

Electoral Area 2019 Results 2014 Results
Erne North 2 UUP, 1 SF, 1 SDLP, 1 DUP
2 UUP, 1 SF, 1 SDLP, 1 DUP
Enniskillen 2 UUP, 1 SF, 1 DUP, 1 SDLP, 1 CCLA
2 UUP, 2 SF, 1 DUP, 1 SDLP
Omagh 2 SF, 1 DUP, 1 Ind, 1 UUP, 1 Alliance
2 SF, 2 SDLP, 1 DUP, 1 UUP
Erne East
2 SF, 1 DUP, 1 UUP, 1 Ind, 1 SDLP
3 SF, 1 DUP, 1 UUP, 1 SDLP
Erne West
2 SF, 1 UUP, 1 Ind, 1 SDLP
2 SF, 1 UUP, 1 Ind, 1 SDLP
West Tyrone
3 SF, 1 DUP, 1 UUP, 1 SDLP
3 SF, 1 DUP, 1 UUP, 1 SDLP
Mid Tyrone 4 SF, 1 UUP, 1 Ind
4 SF, 1 UUP, 1 SDLP

chart

Party Support by Electoral Area

DEA

Largest Party by Electoral Area


Votes by Party

2019 Results
2014 Results
2011 Notional Results
SF 19,111 (36.8%) 15 councillors
UUP 8,612 (16.6%) 9 councillors
DUP 8,277 (15.9%) 5 councillors
SDLP 5,475 (10.5%) 5 councillors
Ind 5,151 (10.5%) 4 councillors
Alliance 2,035 (3.3%) 1 councillor
TUV 1,072 (2.1%)
Aontú 1,062 (2.0%)
CCLA 720 (1.4%) 1 councillor
Green 277 (0.5%)
CISTA 101 (0.2%)
DVP 20 (0.1%)

SF 19,486 (40.1%), 17 councillors
UUP 10,158 (20.9%), 9 councillors
SDLP 7,164 (14.7%), 8 councillors
DUP 7,075 (14.6%), 5 councillors
TUV 1,091 (2.2%)
Alliance 819 (1.7%)
UKIP 296 (0.6%)
Green 269 (0.6%)
Inds 2,214 (4.6%), 1 councillor

SF: 21,629 (40.9%), 18 councillors
UUP: 10,558 (20.0%), 9 councillors
DUP: 8,956 (16.9%), 5 councillors
SDLP: 6,810 (12.9%), 6 councillors
Alliance: 443 (0.8%)
TUV: 309 (0.6%)
SPNI: 248 (0.5%)
Green: 63 (0.1%)
Ind: 3,897 (7.4%), 2 (Ind Nat) councillors

Electorate: 84,313; votes cast: 52,620 (62.4%); invalid votes: 707 (1.3%); valid votes: 51,913 Electorate: 80,758; votes cast: 49,391 (61.1%); spoilt votes: 891 (1.7%); valid votes: 48,572 Electorate: 80,005; votes cast: 54,032; spoilt votes: 1,119 (2.1%); valid votes: 52,913 (97.9%)

2011 Census: 72,685 "Catholic" (64.23%); 37,430 "Protestant" (33.08%); 597 Other (0.53%); 2,449 None (2.16%)

The notional results given above are my best guess projection of the 2011 results on the new boundaries - a "backcast" rather than a forecast.

See also results for:
Fermanagh: 1993-2011, 1985-89, and 1973-81
Omagh: 1993-2011, 1985-89, and 1973-81.



Erne North (5 seats)

Westminster seat: Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Includes these wards: Ballinamallard, Belleek & Boa, Ederney & Kesh, Irvinestown, and Tempo.

2019 (2 May)

No change.

First Count:
Diana Armstrong (UUP) 1,186
Siobhan Currie (SF) 1,055
John Coyle (SDLP) 911
John Feely (SF) 769
David Mahon (DUP) 732
Deborah Armstrong (DUP) 668
John McClaughry (UUP) 630
Alex Elliot (TUV) 465
Diane Little (Alliance) 413
Lewis Jennings (DVP) 20
Votes by Party:
SF 1,824 (26.6%) 1 seat
UUP 1,816 (26.5%) 2 seats
DUP 1,400 (20.4%) 1 seat
SDLP 911 (13.3%) 1 seat
TUV 465 (6.8%)
Alliance 413 (6.0%)
DVP 20 (0.3%)

Electorate: 10,983; votes cast: 6,941 (63.2%); invalid votes: 92 (1.3%); valid votes: 6,849; quota: 1,142.

Deborah Armstrong (DUP) was just 27.02 ahead of her running mate Mahon for the last seat, with no undistributed surpluses remaining. Mahon was ahead until the TUV vote was distributed at Stage 4.

2014 (25 May)

First Count:
Rosemary Barton (UUP) 1,289
Raymond Farrell (UUP) 1,108
John Feely (SF) 893
Peter Jones (SF) 654
John Coyle (SDLP) 628
David Mahon (DUP) 600
Alex Elliott (TUV) 455
Paul Blake (SDLP) 414
James Fleming (DUP) 249
Votes by Party:
UUP 2,397 (38.1%) 2 seats
SF 1,547 (24.6%) 1 seat
SDLP 1,042 (16.6%) 1 seat
DUP 849 (13.5%) 1 seat
TUV 455 (7.2%)

Electorate 10,501; total poll 6,394 (60.9%); invalid votes 104 (1.6%); valid votes 6,290; quota: 1,049

Feely (SF) finished 255.80 votes ahead of Jones (also SF), with a UUP surplus of 59 and an SDLP surplus of 53 (from DUP transfers) undistributed.

Irish Observer and Faha both projected 2 UUP, 1 DUP, 1 SF, 1 SDLP, which was the actual result.


Enniskillen (6 seats)

Westminster seat: Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Includes these wards: Castlecoole, Erne, Lisbellaw, Lisnarick, Portora, and Rossorry

2019 (2 May)

CCLA gain from SF.

First Count:
Keith Elliott (DUP) 1,161
Paul Blake (SDLP) 955
Tommy Maguire (SF) 946
Debbie Coyle (SF) 761
Robert Irvine (UUP) 753
Donal O'Cofaigh (CCLA) 720
Howard Thornton (UUP) 651
Donald Crawford (TUV) 492
Simon Wiggins (DUP) 340
Matthew Beaumont (Alliance) 310
Debbie Coleman (Green) 136
Votes by Party:
SF 1,707 (23.6%) 1 seat
DUP 1,501 (20.8%) 1 seat
UUP 1,404 (19.4%) 2 seats
SDLP 955 (13.2%) 1 seat
CCLA 720 (10.0%) 1 seat
TUV 492 (6.8%)
Alliance 310 (4.3%)
Green 136 (1.9%)

Electorate: 13,048; votes cast: 7,312 (56.0%); invalid votes: 87 (1.2%); valid votes: 7,225; quota: 1,033.

O'Cofaigh (CCLA) was 151.88 ahead of Coyle (SF) for the last seat, with undistributed surpluses of 52.1 (SDLP) and 18.53 (UUP) which may have narrowed the final margin. O'Cofaigh had run unsuccessfully in 2014 under the Fermanagh Against Fracking banner.

2014 (25 May)

First Count:
Tommy Maguire (SF) 792
Keith Elliot (DUP) 778
Robert Irvine (UUP) 778
Debbie Coyle (SF) 670
Patricia Rogers (SDLP) 641
Donald Crawford (TUV) 636
Donal O'Cofaigh (Fermanagh Against Fracking) 555
Howard Thornton (UUP) 546
Shirley Donaldson (DUP) 503
Pat Cox (Independent) 313
Basil Johnston (UUP) 306
Ann Gormley (Alliance) 148
Laurence Speight (Green) 71
Votes by Party:
UUP 1,630 (24.2%) 2 seats
SF 1,462 (21.7%) 2 seats
DUP 1,281 (19.0%) 1 seat
SDLP 641 (9.5%) 1 seat
TUV 636 (9.4%)
Anti-Fracking 555 (8.2%)
Ind 313 (4.6%)
Alliance 148 (2.2%)
Green 71 (1.05%)

Electorate 12,561; total poll 6,812 (54.2%); invalid votes 75 (1.1%); valid votes 6,737 (53.6%); quota: 963.

Thornton (UUP) finished 70.12 votes ahead of Crawford (TUV), having benefited particularly from DUP transfers. The Nationalist parties won three seats here with 2.2 quotas of first preferences; but both independent candidates had transferred much more to Nationalists (Cox by 244 to 10, O'Cofaigh by 407 to 54).

Irish Observer and Faha both projected 2 UUP, 2 SF, 1 DUP, 1 SDLP, which was the actual result.


Omagh (6 seats)

Westminster seat: West Tyrone
Includes these wards: Camowen, Coolnagard, Dergmoney, Gortrush, Killyclogher, and Strule.

2019 (2 May)

Ind & Alliance gain from SDLP.

First Count:
Errol Thompson (DUP) 970
Barry McElduff (SF) 900
Josephine Deehan (Ind) 728
Christopher Smyth (UUP) 633
Stephen Donnelly (Alliance) 616
Anne Marie Fitzgerald (SF) 589
Marty McColgan (SF) 509
Jacinta McKeown (SDLP) 258
Lee Hawkes (SDLP) 256
Sorcha McAnespy (Ind) 194
Margaret Swift (Aontú) 182
Susan Glass (Green) 141
Joanne Donnelly (Ind) 128
Charles Chittick (TUV) 115
Barry Brown (CISTA) 101
Will Convey (Ind) 43
Votes by Party:
SF 1,998 (31.4%) 2 seats
Ind 1,093 (17.2%) 1 seat
DUP 970 (15.2%) 1 seat
UUP 633 (9.9%) 1 seat
Alliance 616 (9.7%) 1 seat
SDLP 514 (8.1%)
Aontú 182 (2.9%)
Green 141 (2.2%)
TUV 115 (1.8%)
CISTA 101 (1.6%)

Electorate: 12,737; votes cast: 6,461 (50.7%); invalid votes: 98 (1.5%); valid votes: 6,363; quota: 910.

Fitzgerald (SF) was just 76 ahead of her running mate McColgan (SF) for the last seat, with undistributed surpluses of 4 (SF), 6.74 (Ind), and 25.48 (Alliance). Omagh had the highest number of candidates (16) of any Electoral Area in the entire election. Three successful candidates in 2014 ran under the Independent flag in 2019: Deehan and Donnelly (both formerly SDLP) and McAnespy (formerly SF; she was subsequently affiliated with Fianna Fáil). Only Deehan was successfully returned.

2014 (25 May)

First Count:
Josephine Deehan (SDLP) 946
Sorcha McAnespy (SF) 932
Marty McColgan (SF) 742
Chris Smyth (UUP) 681
Errol Thompson (DUP) 644
Catherine Kelly (SF) 556
Adele Crawford (DUP) 545
Joanne Donnelly (SDLP) 435
Eric Bullick (Alliance) 376
Gabrielle McAleer (Independent) 84
Votes by Party:
SF 2,230 (37.5%) 2 seats
SDLP 1,381 (23.2%) 2 seats
DUP 1,189 (20.0%) 1 seat
UUP 681 (11.5%) 1 seat
Alliance 376 (6.3%)
Ind 84 (1.4%)

Electorate 12,373; total poll 6,094 (49.3%); invalid votes 153 (2.5%); valid votes 5,941; quota: 849.

McColgan (SF) was 193.76 votes ahead of Kelly (also SF) on the final count, with an undistributed UUP surplus of 2.5. The final count was the distribution of 430 votes of a DUP to DUP surplus, of which 104 went to the SDLP and none to the two remaining SF candidates. Theoretically a good SF balancing exercise could have got them a third seat at the expense of the SDLP, but it would have been very difficult.

Irish Observer projected 2 SF, 1 DUP, 1 UUP, 1 SDLP, 1 Ind, andFaha 3 SF, 1 SDLP, 1 DUP, 1 UUP, This must therefore be counted as an SDLP gain, whether from a 2011 independent or from SF.


Erne East (6 seats)

Westminster seat: Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Includes these wards: Brookeborough, Donagh, Lisnaskea, Maguiresbridge, Newtownbutler, and Rosslea.

2019 (2 May)

Ind gain from SF.

First Count:
Paul Robinson (DUP) 1,382
Victor Warrington (UUP) 1,352
John McCluskey (Ind) 1,286
Sheamus Greene (SF) 1,032
Garbhan McPhillips (SDLP) 839
Thomas O'Reilly (SF) 829
Noeleen Hayes (SF) 738
Brian McCaffrey (SF) 620
Caroline Wheeler (Ind) 204
Gerry McHugh (Aontú) 174
Votes by Party:
SF 3,219 (38.1%) 2 seats
Ind 1,490 (17.6%) 1 seat
DUP 1,382 (16.3%) 1 seat
UUP 1,352 (16.0%) 1 seat
SDLP 839 (9.9%) 1 seat
Aontú 174 (2.1%)

Electorate: 11,963; votes cast: 8,568 (71.6%); invalid votes: 112 (1.3%); valid votes: 8,456; quota: 1,209.

McPhillips (SDLP) was 371.36 ahead of Hayes (SF) for the last seat, with undistributed surpluses of 77 (Ind), 39.96 (SF), and 2.34 (also SF), which may have narrowed the final margin, depending on where Ind newcomer McCluskey's transfers went - he obviously drew more of his votes from former SF supporters, but there were more of them in the first place.

Erne East also recorded the highest turnout of any Electoral Area in the election with 71.6%.

2014 (25 May)

First Count:
Victor Warrington (UUP) 1,272
Paul Robinson (DUP) 1,246
Tom O'Reilly (SF) 1,075
Brian McCaffrey (SF) 1,041
Richie McPhillips (SDLP) 1,015
Sheamus Greene (SF) 1,005
Kate Mulligan (SF) 902
Fred Parkinson (UKIP) 296
Votes by Party:
SF 4,023 (51.3%) 3 seats
UUP 1,272 (16.2%) 1 seat
DUP 1,246 (15.9%) 1 seat
SDLP 1,015 (12.9%) 1 seat
UKIP 296 (3.8%)

Electorate 11,443; total poll 7,981 (69.7%); invalid votes 129 (1.6%); valid votes 7,852; quota: 1,122.

McCaffrey and Greene (both SF) finished on the same total vote, 1049, a margin of 128 over their party colleague Mulligan. The SDLP had an undistributed surplus of 1 vote (from UKIP transfers).

Irish Observer and Faha both projected 4 SF, 1 UUP, 1 DUP. This can probably be counted as an SDLP gain from SF.


Erne West (5 seats)

Westminster seat: Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Includes these wards: Belcoo and Garrison, Boho Cleenish & Letterbreen, Derrygonnelly, Derrylin, and Florence Court & Kinawley.

2019 (2 May)

No change.

First Count:
Alex Baird (UUP) 1,333
Anthony Feely (SF) 1,208
Bernice Swift (Ind) 1,159
Chris McCaffrey (SF) 1,136
Fionnuala Leonard (SF) 879
Adam Gannon (SDLP) 611
Carol Johnston (DUP) 547
Trevor Armstrong (Ind) 512
Votes by Party:
SF 3,223 (43.6%) 2 seats
Ind 1,671 (22.6%) 1 seat
UUP 1,333 (18.1%) 1 seat
SDLP 611 (8.3%) 1 seat
DUP 547 (7.4%)

Electorate: 10,825; votes cast: 7,473 (69.0%); invalid votes: 88 (1.2%); valid votes: 7,385; quota: 1,231.

Gannon (SDLP) was 218.31 ahead of Leonard (SF) for the last seat, with undistributed surpluses of 7.14 (SF) and 64.05 (Ind), which would have likely narrowed the final margin based on 2014 transfer patterns.

2014 (25 May)

First Count:
Alex Baird (UUP) 1,619
Bernice Swift (Independent) 1,195
Barry Doherty (SF) 985
Brendan Gallagher (SDLP) 962
Anthony Feely (SF) 946
Leanne Maguire (SF) 791
Jerermy Campbell (DUP) 425
Votes by Party:
SF 2,722 (39.3%) 2 seats
UUP 1,619 (23.4%) 1 seat
Ind 1,195 (17.3%) 1 seat
SDLP 962 (13.9%) 1 seat
DUP 425 (6.1%)

Electorate 10,279; total poll 7,011 (68.2%); invalid votes 88 (1.3%); valid vote 6,923; quota: 1,154.

Gallagher (SDLP) finished 365 votes ahead of Campbell (DUP).

Irish Observer and Faha both projected 2 SF, 1 SDLP, 1 UUP, 1 Ind, which was the actual result.


West Tyrone (6 seats)

Westminster seat: West Tyrone
Includes these wards: Dromore, Drumquin, Fairy Water, Fintona, Newtownsaville, and Trillick.

2019 (2 May)

No change.

First Count:
Mark Buchanan (DUP) 1,546
Allan Rainey (UUP) 1,095
Mary Garrity (SDLP) 1,047
Glenn Campbell (SF) 983
Stephen McCann (SF) 839
Ann-Marie Donnelly (SF) 752
Frankie Donnelly (SF) 653
Fia Cowan (Alliance) 390
Cathal McCrory (Aontu) 242
Votes by Party:
SF 3,227 (42.8%) 3 seats
DUP 1,546 (20.5%) 1 seat
UUP 1,095 (14.5%) 1 seat
SDLP 1,047 (13.9%) 1 seat
Alliance 390 (5.2%)
Aontu 242 (3.2%)

Electorate: 12,201; votes cast: 7,663 (62.8%); invalid votes: 116 (1.5%); valid votes: 7,547; quota: 1,079.

McCann (SF) was 330.11 ahead of Cowan (Alliance) for the last seat, with no undistributed surpluses remaining. In pretty much a repeat of 2014, the only seat to change hands was Frankie Donnelly (SF) losing to his wife Ann-Marie Donnelly (also of SF). Oh to be a fly on the wall!

2014 (25 May)

First Count:
Glenn Campbell (SF) 1,595
Allan Rainey (UUP) 1,297
Frankie Donnelly (SF) 1,038
Mark Buchanan (DUP) 916
Mary Therese Garrity (SDLP) 784
Stephen McCann (SF) 650
Elaine Thompson (DUP) 540
Cathal Lynch (SDLP) 400
Stephen Donnelly (Alliance) 173
Susan White (Independent) 67
Votes by Party:
SF 3,283 (44.0%) 3 seats
DUP 1,456 (19.5%) 1 seat
UUP 1,297 (17.4%) 1 seat
SDLP 784 (15.9%) 1 seat
Alliance 173 (2,3%)
Ind 67 (0.9%)


Electorate 11,815; total poll 7,600 (64.3%); invalid votes 140 (1.8%); valid votes 7,460 quota: 1,066.

A pretty clear-cut result here, with the top five candidates getting elected in that order, and a fairly massive 405.95 votes between McCann (SF) and Thompson (DUP) on the final count. With undistributed transfers of 230 from the UUP, 150 from the SDLP and 2.54 from Sinn Fein, the effective margin was a little closer but not much.

Irish Observer and Faha both projected 3 SF, 1 DUP, 1 SDLP, 1 UUP, which was the actual result.


Mid Tyrone (6 seats)

Westminster seat: West Tyrone
Includes these wards: Beragh, Drumnakilly, Gortin, Owenkillew, Sixmilecross, and Termon.

2019 (2 May)

Ind gain from SDLP.

First Count:
Padraigin Kelly (SF) 995
Bert Wilson (UUP) 979
Catherine Kelly (SF) 964
James Managh (DUP) 931
Emmet McAleer (Ind) 897
Sean Clarke (SF) 889
Sean Donelly (SF) 778
Bernard McGrath (SDLP) 598
Rosemarie Shields (Aontu) 464
Richard Bullick (Alliance) 306
Kevin McColgan (SF) 287
Votes by Party
SF 3,913 (48.4%) 4 seats
UUP 979 (12.1%) 1 seat
DUP 931 (11.5%)
Ind 897 (11.1%) 1 seat
SDLP 598 (7.4%)
Aontu 464 (5.7%)
Alliance 306 (3.8%)

Electorate 12,556; total poll 8,202 (65.3%); invalid votes 114 (1.4%); valid votes 8,088 quota: 1,156.

Donelly (SF) finished 120 votes ahead of Managh (DUP) with 12 SF surplus votes undistributed, which would have widened the margin. Successful Independent candidate McAleer stood on an Anti Goldmining platform.

Irish Observer and Faha both projected 4 SF, 1 UUP, 1 SDLP, which was the actual result.

2014 (25 May)

First Count:
Bert Wilson (UUP) 1,262
Sean Clarke (SF) 1,222
Ann Marie Fitzgerald (SF) 1,115
Sean Donnelly (SF) 989
Barry McNally (SF) 893
Charlie Chittick (DUP) 629
Rosemarie Shields (SDLP) 539
Bernard McGrath (SDLP) 400
Ciaran McClean (Green) 198
Andrew Bullick (Alliance) 122
Votes by Party:
SF 4,219 (57.3%) 4 seats
UUP 1,262 (17.1%) 1 seat
SDLP 939 (12.7%) 1 seat
DUP 629 (8.5%)
Green 198 (2.7%)
Alliance 122 (1.7%)

Electorate 11,786; total poll 7,499 (63.6%); invalid votes 130 (1.7%); valid votes 7,369 quota: 1,053.

Shields (SDLP) finished 162 votes ahead of Chittick (DUP) with 79 SF surplus votes undistributed, which would have widened the margin. Basically SF started with four candidates and just over four quotas, and Nationalists generally on 4.9 quotas to 1.8 for Unionists,. so the DUP seat was never really there.

Irish Observer and Faha both projected 4 SF, 1 UUP, 1 SDLP, which was the actual result.


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Last updated 16 November 2019 by Conal Kelly and Nicholas Whyte, with thanks to Oisin Hassan and Fergal Whyte.


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