# Cork Borough (Dáil constituency)

Cork Borough was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (the Irish parliament), from 1921 to 1969. The method of election was proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).

## History and boundaries

The constituency was created by the Government of Ireland Act 1920 as a 4-seat constituency for the Southern Ireland House of Commons from the Cork City constituency in which Cork had been represented in the United Kingdom House of Commons at Westminster since 1801. The constituency would have continued as a single-seat constituency at Westminster.
At the 1921 election for the Southern Ireland House of Commons, the four seats were won uncontested by Sinn Féin, who treated it as part of the election to the Second Dáil. It was never used as a Westminster constituency; under s. 1(4) of the Irish Free State (Agreement) Act 1922, no writ was to be issued "for a constituency in Ireland other than a constituency in Northern Ireland". Therefore, no vote was held in Cork Borough at the 1922 United Kingdom general election on 15 November 1922, shortly before the Irish Free State left the United Kingdom on 6 December 1922.
Under the Electoral Act 1923, it became a 5-seat constituency and was first used at the 1923 general election. Its representation fluctuated between 4 and 5 seats until its abolition for the 1969 general election.

## TDs

Teachtaí Dála (TDs) for Cork Borough 1921–1969 :
| Key to parties  CnaG = Cumann na nGaedheal  FF = Fianna Fáil  FG = Fine Gael  Ind = Independent  Lab = Labour  NLP = National Labour Party  NL = National League  Rep = Republican  SF = Sinn Féin  AT-SF = Sinn Féin (Anti-Treaty)  PT-SF = Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty) ||||||||||||
| Dáil | Election | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) |
| 2nd | 1921 | | Liam de Róiste (SF) | | Mary MacSwiney (SF) | | Donal O'Callaghan (SF) | | J. J. Walsh (SF) | 4 seats 1921–1923 | 4 seats 1921–1923 |
| 3rd | 1922 | | Liam de Róiste (PT-SF) | | Mary MacSwiney (AT-SF) | | Robert Day (Lab) | | J. J. Walsh (PT-SF) | 4 seats 1921–1923 | 4 seats 1921–1923 |
| 4th | 1923 | | Richard Beamish (Ind) | | Mary MacSwiney (Rep) | | Andrew O'Shaughnessy (Ind) | | J. J. Walsh (CnaG) | | Alfred O'Rahilly (CnaG) |
| 4th | 1924 by-election | | Richard Beamish (Ind) | | Mary MacSwiney (Rep) | | Andrew O'Shaughnessy (Ind) | | J. J. Walsh (CnaG) | | Michael Egan (CnaG) |
| 5th | 1927 (Jun) | | John Horgan (NL) | | Seán French (FF) | | Richard Anthony (Lab) | | J. J. Walsh (CnaG) | | Barry Egan (CnaG) |
| 6th | 1927 (Sep) | | W. T. Cosgrave (CnaG) | | Seán French (FF) | | Richard Anthony (Lab) | | Hugo Flinn (FF) | | Barry Egan (CnaG) |
| 7th | 1932 | | W. T. Cosgrave (CnaG) | | Thomas Dowdall (FF) | | Richard Anthony (Ind) | | Hugo Flinn (FF) | | William Desmond (CnaG) |
| 8th | 1933 | | W. T. Cosgrave (CnaG) | | Thomas Dowdall (FF) | | Richard Anthony (Ind) | | Hugo Flinn (FF) | | William Desmond (CnaG) |
| 9th | 1937 | | W. T. Cosgrave (FG) | | Thomas Dowdall (FF) | | Richard Anthony (Ind) | | Hugo Flinn (FF) | 4 seats 1937–1948 | 4 seats 1937–1948 |
| 10th | 1938 | | W. T. Cosgrave (FG) | | Thomas Dowdall (FF) | | James Hickey (Lab) | | Hugo Flinn (FF) | 4 seats 1937–1948 | 4 seats 1937–1948 |
| 11th | 1943 | | W. T. Cosgrave (FG) | | Frank Daly (FF) | | Richard Anthony (Ind) | | Séamus Fitzgerald (FF) | 4 seats 1937–1948 | 4 seats 1937–1948 |
| 12th | 1944 | | William Dwyer (Ind) | | Frank Daly (FF) | | Richard Anthony (Ind) | | Walter Furlong (FF) | 4 seats 1937–1948 | 4 seats 1937–1948 |
| 12th | 1946 by-election | | Patrick McGrath (FF) | | Frank Daly (FF) | | Richard Anthony (Ind) | | Walter Furlong (FF) | 4 seats 1937–1948 | 4 seats 1937–1948 |
| 13th | 1948 | | Patrick McGrath (FF) | | Michael Sheehan (Ind) | | James Hickey (NLP) | | Jack Lynch (FF) | | Thomas F. O'Higgins (FG) |
| 14th | 1951 | | Patrick McGrath (FF) | | Seán McCarthy (FF) | | James Hickey (Lab) | | Jack Lynch (FF) | | Thomas F. O'Higgins (FG) |
| 14th | 1954 by-election | | Patrick McGrath (FF) | | Seán McCarthy (FF) | | James Hickey (Lab) | | Jack Lynch (FF) | | Stephen Barrett (FG) |
| 15th | 1954 | | Patrick McGrath (FF) | | Anthony Barry (FG) | | Seán Casey (Lab) | | Jack Lynch (FF) | | Stephen Barrett (FG) |
| 15th | 1956 by-election | | John Galvin (FF) | | Anthony Barry (FG) | | Seán Casey (Lab) | | Jack Lynch (FF) | | Stephen Barrett (FG) |
| 16th | 1957 | | John Galvin (FF) | | Gus Healy (FF) | | Seán Casey (Lab) | | Jack Lynch (FF) | | Stephen Barrett (FG) |
| 17th | 1961 | | John Galvin (FF) | | Anthony Barry (FG) | | Seán Casey (Lab) | | Jack Lynch (FF) | | Stephen Barrett (FG) |
| 17th | 1964 by-election | | Sheila Galvin (FF) | | Anthony Barry (FG) | | Seán Casey (Lab) | | Jack Lynch (FF) | | Stephen Barrett (FG) |
| 18th | 1965 | | Gus Healy (FF) | | Pearse Wyse (FF) | | Seán Casey (Lab) | | Jack Lynch (FF) | | Stephen Barrett (FG) |
| 18th | 1967 by-election | | Gus Healy (FF) | | Pearse Wyse (FF) | | Seán French (FF) | | Jack Lynch (FF) | | Stephen Barrett (FG) |
| 19th | 1969 | Constituency abolished. See Cork City North-West and Cork City South-East | Constituency abolished. See Cork City North-West and Cork City South-East | Constituency abolished. See Cork City North-West and Cork City South-East | Constituency abolished. See Cork City North-West and Cork City South-East | Constituency abolished. See Cork City North-West and Cork City South-East | Constituency abolished. See Cork City North-West and Cork City South-East | Constituency abolished. See Cork City North-West and Cork City South-East | Constituency abolished. See Cork City North-West and Cork City South-East | Constituency abolished. See Cork City North-West and Cork City South-East | Constituency abolished. See Cork City North-West and Cork City South-East |
Note: The columns in this table are used only for presentational purposes, and no significance should be attached to the order of columns. For details of the order in which seats were won at each election, see the detailed results of that election.
* 1 2 Andrew O'Shaughnessy and Richard Beamish were both elected under the banner of the "Cork Progressive Association", a quasi-party inspired by the Progressive Reform movement in the United States. They supported the Treaty and stressed the importance of sound public finance. In 1924 they helped bring about the dissolution of Cork Corporation and its replacement with a commissioner.

## Elections
### 1967 by-election

Following the death of Labour Party TD Seán Casey, a by-election was held on 9 November 1967. The seat was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Seán French.
1967 by-election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Seán French | 47.1 | 18,417 | 18,584 | 20,854 |
| | Fine Gael | Liam Burke | 26.3 | 10,272 | 10,495 | 14,586 |
| | Labour | Pat Kerrigan | 24.6 | 9,622 | 9,897 | |
| | Independent | Eoin O'Mahony | 2.1 | 815 | | |
| Electorate: 59,019 Valid: 39,126 Quota: 19,564 Turnout: 66.3% |||||||

### 1965 general election

1965 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Jack Lynch | 30.8 | 12,852 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Stephen Barrett | 20.7 | 8,637 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Labour | Seán Casey | 16.9 | 7,076 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Gus Healy | 10.1 | 4,230 | 8,030 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Pearse Wyse | 7.2 | 3,027 | 4,100 | 4,120 | 4,135 | 4,596 | 4,615 | 4,690 | 4,730 | 4,839 | 5,026 | 7,366 |
| | Fine Gael | Anthony Barry | 3.4 | 1,441 | 1,506 | 2,859 | 2,895 | 2,909 | 3,149 | 3,235 | 3,894 | 4,187 | 4,479 | 4,560 |
| | Fianna Fáil | John Harrington | 3.4 | 1,425 | 2,146 | 2,166 | 2,176 | 2,727 | 2,731 | 2,784 | 2,797 | 2,889 | 3,016 | |
| | Independent | Thomas Leahy | 1.9 | 803 | 888 | 918 | 937 | 947 | 962 | 1,081 | 1,102 | 1,374 | | |
| | Independent | Frank Mockler | 1.9 | 782 | 848 | 886 | 898 | 912 | 935 | 1,056 | 1,086 | | | |
| | Independent | Alexander Miller | 1.3 | 547 | 592 | 607 | 614 | 621 | 632 | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Seán O'Leary | 1.2 | 489 | 504 | 619 | 625 | 630 | 844 | 876 | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Ronald Murphy | 1.2 | 485 | 501 | 581 | 586 | 588 | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 55,913 Valid: 41,794 Quota: 6,966 Turnout: 74.8% |||||||||||||||

### 1964 by-election

Following the death of Fianna Fáil TD John Galvin, a by-election was held on 19 February 1964. The seat was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Sheila Galvin, widow of the deceased TD.
The surplus votes of the elected candidate were distributed after being declared elected because there was a possibility another candidate could have reached the threshold of a third of a quota which would have meant their election deposit was returned to them.
1964 by-election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Sheila Galvin | 53.3 | 20,276 | |
| | Fine Gael | Tadhg Manley | 30.2 | 11,475 | 11,666 |
| | Labour | Donal Hurley | 16.6 | 6,296 | 7,357 |
| Electorate: 55,076 Valid: 38,047 Quota: 19,024 Turnout: 69.1% ||||||

### 1961 general election

1961 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Jack Lynch | 26.6 | 9,929 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Stephen Barrett | 25.5 | 9,515 | | | | | | | | |
| | Labour | Seán Casey | 15.1 | 5,616 | 5,859 | 6,246 | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | John Galvin | 11.4 | 4,257 | 5,444 | 5,522 | 5,526 | 5,544 | 5,647 | 6,685 | | |
| | Sinn Féin | Dáithí Ó Conaill | 5.2 | 1,956 | 2,033 | 2,070 | 2,072 | 2,093 | 2,297 | 2,337 | 2,344 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Gus Healy | 4.9 | 1,846 | 3,330 | 3,399 | 3,401 | 3,420 | 3,542 | 4,249 | 4,704 | 5,180 |
| | Fine Gael | Anthony Barry | 4.4 | 1,637 | 1,732 | 4,243 | 4,259 | 4,770 | 5,009 | 5,094 | 5,101 | 5,457 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Donal Daly | 3.4 | 1,281 | 1,850 | 1,879 | 1,880 | 1,889 | 1,948 | | | |
| | Independent | Seán Twomey | 2.1 | 794 | 832 | 870 | 872 | 902 | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Dominic O'Brien | 1.2 | 462 | 482 | 632 | 635 | | | | | |
| Electorate: 55,022 Valid: 37,293 Quota: 6,216 Turnout: 67.8% |||||||||||||

### 1957 general election

1957 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| | Fine Gael | Stephen Barrett | 20.0 | 8,600 | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | John Galvin | 17.8 | 7,647 | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Jack Lynch | 16.5 | 7,107 | 7,131 | 7,313 | | | | | |
| | Labour | Seán Casey | 14.1 | 6,074 | 6,207 | 6,243 | 6,248 | 6,438 | 6,537 | 8,921 | |
| | Sinn Féin | Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh | 11.1 | 4,789 | 4,807 | 4,821 | 4,825 | 4,858 | 4,925 | 5,043 | 5,286 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Gus Healy | 8.2 | 3,519 | 3,539 | 3,706 | 3,788 | 3,819 | 6,361 | 6,671 | 7,433 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Donal Daly | 6.4 | 2,747 | 2,754 | 2,818 | 2,862 | 2,888 | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Anthony Barry | 3.9 | 1,663 | 2,762 | 2,766 | 2,767 | 3,483 | 3,543 | | |
| | Fine Gael | John Bermingham | 2.1 | 911 | 1,033 | 1,036 | 1,036 | | | | |
| Electorate: 63,495 Valid: 43,057 Quota: 7,177 Turnout: 67.8% ||||||||||||

### 1956 by-election

Following the death of Fianna Fáil TD Patrick McGrath, a by-election was held on 2 August 1956. The seat was won by Fianna Fáil candidate John Galvin.
1956 by-election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 |
| | Fianna Fáil | John Galvin | 52.6 | 18,704 |
| | Fine Gael | Mick Sheehan | 28.6 | 10,166 |
| | Labour | Cornelius Desmond | 11.0 | 3,919 |
| | Independent | Seán P. Twomey | 4.6 | 1,630 |
| | Independent | John W. Reidy | 3.2 | 1,149 |
| Electorate: 63,495 Valid: 35,568 Quota: 17,785 Turnout: 56.0% |||||

### 1954 general election

1954 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| | Fine Gael | Stephen Barrett | 34.2 | 16,393 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Patrick McGrath | 19.2 | 9,190 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Jack Lynch | 12.8 | 6,125 | 6,229 | 6,976 | 7,063 | 7,202 | 7,207 | 7,260 | 8,390 | | | |
| | Labour | James Hickey | 6.8 | 3,244 | 3,529 | 3,569 | 3,618 | 3,810 | 3,822 | 3,898 | 3,967 | 3,981 | 4,578 | |
| | Labour | Seán Casey | 6.4 | 3,052 | 3,479 | 3,501 | 3,588 | 3,851 | 3,884 | 3,982 | 4,017 | 4,025 | 4,965 | 8,516 |
| | Fianna Fáil | John Galvin | 6.1 | 2,904 | 2,972 | 3,177 | 3,204 | 3,316 | 3,319 | 3,354 | 4,422 | 4,793 | 4,901 | 5,146 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Donal Daly | 4.5 | 2,149 | 2,193 | 2,329 | 2,359 | 2,402 | 2,409 | 2,431 | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Anthony Barry | 4.0 | 1,911 | 7,862 | 7,877 | 7,976 | 8,230 | | | | | | |
| | Independent | John Reidy | 2.3 | 1,108 | 1,270 | 1,290 | 1,341 | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Laurence Neville | 1.7 | 816 | 1,397 | 1,406 | 1,424 | 1,481 | 1,497 | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | John Bermingham | 1.2 | 572 | 1,321 | 1,325 | 1,347 | 1,429 | 1,558 | 2,637 | 2,673 | 2,683 | | |
| | Independent | Seán Twomey | 0.9 | 452 | 487 | 492 | | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 63,325 Valid: 47,916 Quota: 7,987 Turnout: 75.7% |||||||||||||||

### 1954 by-election

Following the death of Fine Gael TD Thomas F. O'Higgins, a by-election was held on 3 March 1954. The seat was won by the Fine Gael candidate Stephen Barrett.
1954 by-election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 |
| | Fine Gael | Stephen Barrett | 44.3 | 17,332 | 21,322 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Séamus Fitzgerald | 39.3 | 15,379 | 16,586 |
| | Labour | Seán Casey | 16.4 | 6,402 | |
| Electorate: 63,322 Valid: 39,113 Quota: 19,557 Turnout: 61.8% ||||||

### 1951 general election

1951 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Patrick McGrath | 19.2 | 8,923 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Thomas F. O'Higgins | 16.9 | 7,858 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Jack Lynch | 13.4 | 6,233 | 6,785 | 6,786 | 6,856 | 6,942 | 7,119 | 9,896 | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Seán MacCarthy | 11.0 | 5,096 | 5,493 | 5,494 | 5,534 | 5,648 | 5,805 | 7,346 | 9,433 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Walter Furlong | 9.4 | 4,359 | 4,502 | 4,502 | 4,571 | 4,624 | 4,809 | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Stephen Barrett | 7.4 | 3,434 | 3,443 | 3,504 | 3,609 | 5,374 | 6,465 | 6,545 | 6,579 | 6,698 |
| | Labour | James Hickey | 7.3 | 3,376 | 3,400 | 3,403 | 4,058 | 4,244 | 6,369 | 6,611 | 6,653 | 6,795 |
| | Labour | Richard Anthony | 6.5 | 3,018 | 3,047 | 3,052 | 3,709 | 4,004 | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Sheehan | 5.3 | 2,442 | 2,467 | 2,519 | 2,584 | | | | | |
| | Labour | Seán Casey | 3.6 | 1,657 | 1,668 | 1,670 | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 62,336 Valid: 46,396 Quota: 7,733 Turnout: 74.4% |||||||||||||

### 1948 general election

1948 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| | Fine Gael | Thomas F. O'Higgins | 16.4 | 7,351 | 7,363 | 7,464 | 7,473 | 7,674 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Jack Lynch | 12.5 | 5,594 | 5,607 | 5,632 | 5,640 | 5,652 | 5,652 | 5,695 | 5,726 | 5,787 | 6,753 | 8,923 | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Patrick McGrath | 11.4 | 5,092 | 5,099 | 5,130 | 5,150 | 5,158 | 5,159 | 5,179 | 5,199 | 5,233 | 6,198 | 7,435 | 8,661 | | |
| | Independent | Michael Sheehan | 10.9 | 4,898 | 4,910 | 4,956 | 4,987 | 5,039 | 5,061 | 5,112 | 5,178 | 5,758 | 5,969 | 6,171 | 6,232 | 6,612 | 7,491 |
| | National Labour Party | James Hickey | 10.0 | 4,507 | 4,658 | 4,690 | 4,708 | 4,739 | 4,740 | 4,831 | 4,916 | 5,042 | 5,125 | 5,354 | 5,381 | 5,481 | 6,353 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Walter Furlong | 8.0 | 3,601 | 3,606 | 3,621 | 3,625 | 3,638 | 3,639 | 3,668 | 3,700 | 3,749 | 4,122 | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Seán MacCarthy | 6.1 | 2,747 | 2,753 | 2,767 | 2,775 | 2,781 | 2,783 | 2,791 | 2,919 | 2,961 | | | | | |
| | Labour | Richard Anthony | 6.0 | 2,688 | 2,695 | 2,745 | 2,755 | 2,913 | 2,927 | 3,534 | 3,598 | 4,245 | 4,347 | 4,438 | 4,458 | 4,510 | 5,537 |
| | Clann na Poblachta | Patrick McCartan | 5.2 | 2,346 | 2,358 | 2,370 | 2,590 | 2,600 | 2,601 | 2,665 | 3,914 | 4,106 | 4,242 | 4,342 | 4,451 | 4,481 | |
| | Fine Gael | Stephen Barrett | 3.3 | 1,496 | 1,506 | 1,537 | 1,540 | 1,962 | 2,108 | 2,137 | 2,156 | | | | | | |
| | Clann na Poblachta | John J. Fennessy | 3.2 | 1,423 | 1,428 | 1,431 | 1,652 | 1,661 | 1,661 | 1,730 | | | | | | | |
| | Labour | John Casey | 2.2 | 987 | 992 | 995 | 1,011 | 1,026 | 1,027 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | David Allen | 2.0 | 911 | 915 | 953 | 957 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Clann na Poblachta | Liam Stack | 1.3 | 565 | 570 | 576 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Sheehan | 0.9 | 409 | 415 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | National Labour Party | Seán Ó Dubhghaill | 0.6 | 260 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 62,626 Valid: 44,875 Quota: 7,480 Turnout: 71.7% ||||||||||||||||||

### 1946 by-election

Following the resignation of Independent TD William Dwyer, a by-election was held on 14 June 1946. The seat was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Patrick McGrath.
The surplus votes of the elected candidate were distributed after being declared elected because there was a possibility another candidate could have reached the threshold of a third of a quota which would have meant their election deposit was returned to them.
1946 by-election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Patrick McGrath | 47.9 | 14,230 | 15,170 | |
| | Fine Gael | Michael O'Driscoll | 32.7 | 9,707 | 10,277 | 10,503 |
| | Cork Socialist Party | Michael O'Riordan | 10.7 | 3,184 | 3,592 | 3,688 |
| | Independent | Tom Barry | 8.7 | 2,574 | | |
| Electorate: 53,623 Valid: 29,695 Quota: 14,848 Turnout: 55.4% |||||||

### 1944 general election

1944 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| | Independent | William Dwyer | 29.8 | 11,241 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Walter Furlong | 20.4 | 7,705 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Frank Daly | 14.7 | 5,551 | 5,858 | 5,905 | 6,022 | 6,115 | 6,179 | 6,371 | 6,493 | 6,897 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Séamus Fitzgerald | 10.2 | 3,862 | 4,262 | 4,370 | 4,526 | 4,721 | 4,773 | 5,007 | 5,091 | 5,467 |
| | Independent | Richard Anthony | 7.6 | 2,867 | 4,265 | 4,268 | 4,368 | 4,562 | 4,816 | 5,446 | 9,270 | |
| | Fine Gael | James Crosbie | 7.5 | 2,839 | 3,759 | 3,760 | 3,800 | 3,872 | 4,630 | 4,864 | | |
| | Labour | Cornelius Connolly | 3.5 | 1,334 | 1,492 | 1,493 | 1,590 | 1,736 | 1,792 | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Jeremiah Connolly | 2.4 | 898 | 1,212 | 1,213 | 1,239 | 1,335 | | | | |
| | National Labour Party | Patrick O'Brien | 2.0 | 737 | 862 | 863 | 954 | | | | | |
| | Ailtirí na hAiséirghe | Seán Ó Dubhghaill | 1.8 | 674 | 751 | 752 | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 53,477 Valid: 37,708 Quota: 7,542 Turnout: 70.5% |||||||||||||

### 1943 general election

Information on the number of transfers received by Richard Anthony on the fifth and sixth counts is unavailable so his number of votes on the fifth count is unknown.
1943 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| | Fine Gael | W. T. Cosgrave | 22.6 | 8,871 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Frank Daly | 20.3 | 7,944 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Séamus Fitzgerald | 11.8 | 4,638 | 4,644 | 4,720 | 4,728 | 4,766 | 4,900 | 5,134 | 5,315 | 9,503 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Walter Furlong | 11.4 | 4,475 | 4,480 | 4,493 | 4,501 | 4,524 | 4,646 | 4,844 | 4,946 | | |
| | Labour | James Hickey | 10.5 | 4,107 | 4,132 | 4,134 | 4,148 | 4,538 | 4,724 | 5,048 | 5,619 | 5,944 | 6,795 |
| | Independent | Richard Anthony | 10.1 | 3,941 | 4,079 | 4,081 | 4,140 | N/A | 4,371 | 4,499 | 6,632 | 6,848 | 7,295 |
| | Fine Gael | William Dwyer | 6.5 | 2,561 | 3,295 | 3,297 | 3,538 | 3,583 | 3,717 | 3,770 | | | |
| | Ailtirí na hAiséirghe | Seán Ó Dubhghaill | 2.6 | 1,019 | 1,023 | 1,024 | 1,026 | 1,052 | 1,079 | | | | |
| | Independent | Daniel Buckley | 2.2 | 859 | 867 | 868 | 878 | 890 | | | | | |
| | Labour | Ellen Crowley | 1.4 | 562 | 568 | 568 | 574 | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Francis MacCarthy Morrogh | 0.7 | 255 | 353 | 353 | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 53,477 Valid: 39,232 Quota: 7,847 Turnout: 73.4% ||||||||||||||

### 1938 general election

1938 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Thomas Dowdall | 29.4 | 11,528 | | |
| | Fine Gael | W. T. Cosgrave | 20.8 | 8,154 | | |
| | Labour | James Hickey | 18.1 | 7,094 | 7,259 | 7,936 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Hugo Flinn | 14.2 | 5,560 | 8,944 | |
| | Independent | Richard Anthony | 13.0 | 5,071 | 5,199 | 5,605 |
| | Fine Gael | Michael O'Driscoll | 4.5 | 1,760 | 1,777 | 1,804 |
| Electorate: 52,623 Valid: 39,167 Quota: 7,834 Turnout: 74.4% |||||||

### 1937 general election

1937 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| | Fine Gael | W. T. Cosgrave | 24.9 | 9,508 | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Hugo Flinn | 22.1 | 8,442 | | | | |
| | Labour | James Hickey | 18.0 | 6,893 | 6,952 | 6,972 | 7,086 | 7,557 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Thomas Dowdall | 16.9 | 6,450 | 6,481 | 7,247 | 7,350 | 7,592 |
| | Independent | Richard Anthony | 12.9 | 4,946 | 5,537 | 5,542 | 8,363 | |
| | Fine Gael | William Desmond | 5.3 | 2,008 | 3,185 | 3,186 | | |
| Electorate: 53,019 Valid: 38,247 Quota: 7,650 Turnout: 72.1% |||||||||

### 1933 general election

1933 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | W. T. Cosgrave | 26.9 | 14,863 | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Hugo Flinn | 23.0 | 12,696 | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Richard Anthony | 10.4 | 5,719 | 6,943 | 6,951 | 7,638 | 8,282 | 9,413 | | |
| | Labour | Jeremiah Hurley | 9.5 | 5,248 | 5,322 | 5,517 | 5,596 | 5,673 | 5,771 | 5,785 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Thomas Dowdall | 9.2 | 5,067 | 5,132 | 6,656 | 6,764 | 6,800 | 6,890 | 6,896 | 9,023 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Seán French | 6.9 | 3,812 | 3,841 | 5,585 | 5,697 | 5,745 | 5,821 | 5,824 | 8,659 |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | John Horgan | 3.9 | 2,168 | 2,600 | 2,604 | 2,696 | | | | |
| | National Centre Party | Cornelius Duggan | 3.8 | 2,111 | 2,330 | 2,339 | | | | | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | Barry Egan | 3.6 | 1,995 | 3,383 | 3,389 | 3,832 | 4,916 | | | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | William Desmond | 2.8 | 1,533 | 3,762 | 3,765 | 4,516 | 5,288 | 8,693 | 8,880 | 9,245 |
| Electorate: 68,919 Valid: 55,212 Quota: 9,203 Turnout: 80.1% ||||||||||||

### 1932 general election

1932 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | W. T. Cosgrave | 36.8 | 18,125 | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Thomas Dowdall | 20.4 | 10,058 | | | | | | |
| | Labour | Jeremiah Hurley | 10.3 | 5,058 | 5,416 | 5,590 | 5,696 | 5,815 | 6,336 | 6,641 |
| | Independent | Richard Anthony | 9.8 | 4,844 | 7,437 | 7,498 | 7,552 | 7,938 | 8,020 | 9,280 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Hugo Flinn | 6.6 | 3,235 | 3,333 | 4,723 | 5,294 | 5,336 | 8,382 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Humphrey Kelleher | 6.2 | 3,046 | 3,094 | 3,203 | 3,849 | 3,878 | | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | William Desmond | 2.8 | 1,395 | 4,691 | 4,704 | 4,716 | 5,607 | 5,664 | 8,178 |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | John Horgan | 2.8 | 1,380 | 3,127 | 3,146 | 3,152 | 4,261 | 4,306 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Seán O'Leary | 2.7 | 1,337 | 1,359 | 1,419 | | | | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | Alexander Healy | 1.7 | 818 | 2,564 | 2,579 | 2,590 | | | |
| Electorate: 67,440 Valid: 49,296 Quota: 8,217 Turnout: 73.1% |||||||||||

### September 1927 general election

September 1927 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | W. T. Cosgrave | 38.9 | 17,395 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Seán French | 26.0 | 11,608 | | | | | | | | |
| | Labour | Richard Anthony | 12.7 | 5,668 | 6,237 | 6,593 | 6,605 | 6,968 | 7,322 | 7,510 | | |
| | National League | John Horgan | 5.5 | 2,452 | 2,618 | 2,742 | 2,752 | 2,792 | 3,100 | 3,241 | 3,440 | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | Barry Egan | 3.1 | 1,383 | 8,019 | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Sir John Scott | 3.0 | 1,344 | 1,642 | 1,698 | 1,708 | 1,727 | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Hugo Flinn | 2.8 | 1,236 | 1,278 | 3,112 | 3,117 | 3,210 | 3,274 | 3,308 | 5,861 | 6,591 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Con Lucey | 2.8 | 1,231 | 1,260 | 2,939 | 2,942 | 2,982 | 3,080 | 3,143 | | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | Martin Nagle | 2.5 | 1,122 | 1,977 | 2,000 | 2,104 | 2,126 | 2,390 | | | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | Alexander Healy | 1.8 | 813 | 1,991 | 2,033 | 2,455 | 2,513 | 2,959 | 4,699 | 4,756 | 5,277 |
| | Labour | Luke Duffy | 1.0 | 447 | 619 | 663 | 666 | | | | | |
| Electorate: 65,961 Valid: 44,699 Quota: 7,450 Turnout: 67.8% |||||||||||||

### June 1927 general election

June 1927 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | J. J. Walsh | 18.7 | 8,480 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Labour | Richard Anthony | 14.5 | 6,548 | 6,591 | 6,595 | 6,645 | 6,723 | 6,896 | 7,013 | 8,497 | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Seán French | 13.2 | 5,989 | 5,995 | 6,041 | 6,423 | 6,461 | 6,624 | 6,679 | 6,872 | 7,137 | 7,398 | 7,893 | |
| | National League | John Horgan | 11.4 | 5,177 | 5,207 | 5,213 | 5,240 | 5,311 | 5,489 | 5,547 | 5,679 | 5,887 | 6,309 | 6,792 | 8,182 |
| | Sinn Féin | Mary MacSwiney | 7.8 | 3,527 | 3,532 | 3,560 | 3,663 | 3,667 | 3,711 | 3,729 | 3,775 | 3,827 | 3,973 | 4,268 | 4,450 |
| | Independent | Sir John Scott | 5.8 | 2,638 | 2,676 | 2,685 | 2,700 | 2,729 | 2,891 | 2,978 | 3,078 | 3,239 | 3,424 | 3,711 | |
| | Independent | Patrick Bradley | 5.0 | 2,246 | 2,262 | 2,265 | 2,271 | 2,292 | 2,352 | 2,386 | 2,426 | 2,588 | 2,911 | | |
| | Farmers' Party | Timothy Corcoran | 4.6 | 2,060 | 2,081 | 2,081 | 2,093 | 2,121 | 2,370 | 2,416 | 2,437 | 2,461 | | | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | Barry Egan | 4.4 | 1,994 | 2,314 | 2,315 | 2,321 | 2,859 | 3,148 | 4,682 | 4,737 | 4,822 | 5,524 | 6,024 | 7,040 |
| | Labour | Edward Fitzgerald | 4.2 | 1,910 | 1,926 | 1,933 | 1,953 | 2,002 | 2,073 | 2,122 | | | | | |
| | Farmers' Party | Frank Daly | 3.4 | 1,527 | 1,545 | 1,549 | 1,557 | 1,599 | | | | | | | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | Liam de Róiste | 3.2 | 1,447 | 1,680 | 1,683 | 1,689 | 1,884 | 2,048 | | | | | | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | Michael Egan | 2.0 | 920 | 1,111 | 1,112 | 1,121 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Con Lucey | 1.3 | 607 | 609 | 660 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Seán O'Leary | 0.4 | 166 | 167 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 65,961 Valid: 45,236 Quota: 7,540 Turnout: 68.6% ||||||||||||||||

### 1924 by-election

Following the resignation of Cumann na nGaedheal TD Alfred O'Rahilly, a by-election was held on 19 November 1924. The seat was won by the Cumann na nGaedheal candidate Michael Egan.
1924 by-election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | Michael Egan | 64.8 | 27,021 |
| | Republican | Seán French | 35.2 | 14,703 |
| Electorate: 64,931 Valid: 41,724 Quota: 20,863 Turnout: 64.3% |||||

### 1923 general election

1923 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | J. J. Walsh | 40.3 | 17,151 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Republican | Mary MacSwiney | 14.3 | 6,109 | 6,130 | 6,135 | 6,136 | 6,150 | 6,407 | 6,449 | 6,574 | 6,696 | 8,578 | | |
| | Businessmen's Party | Richard Beamish | 13.7 | 5,822 | 6,761 | 8,198 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cumann na nGaedheal | Alfred O'Rahilly | 5.9 | 2,506 | 9,976 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Labour | Richard Anthony | 5.8 | 2,492 | 2,586 | 2,669 | 2,704 | 2,736 | 2,751 | 2,837 | 3,232 | 3,286 | 3,376 | 3,713 | 5,330 |
| | Republican | Con Lucey | 4.4 | 1,870 | 1,878 | 1,882 | 1,884 | 1,907 | 2,029 | 2,055 | 2,189 | 2,264 | | | |
| | Farmers' Party | Timothy Corcoran | 3.8 | 1,616 | 1,708 | 1,791 | 1,820 | 1,853 | 1,859 | 1,911 | 1,923 | | | | |
| | Labour | Robert Day | 3.4 | 1,431 | 1,510 | 1,595 | 1,608 | 1,635 | 1,651 | 1,762 | 2,445 | 2,554 | 2,637 | 2,952 | |
| | Labour | William Kenneally | 3.2 | 1,358 | 1,404 | 1,450 | 1,458 | 1,471 | 1,489 | 1,566 | | | | | |
| | Independent | Sir John Scott | 1.8 | 786 | 1,158 | 1,241 | 1,292 | 1,341 | 1,350 | | | | | | |
| | Businessmen's Party | Andrew O'Shaughnessy | 1.8 | 766 | 1,646 | 2,673 | 3,617 | 3,687 | 3,716 | 4,458 | 4,542 | 5,846 | 5,919 | 6,022 | 6,338 |
| | Republican | Frederick Murray | 1.1 | 461 | 483 | 488 | 490 | 493 | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Jeremiah Collins | 0.6 | 243 | 269 | 285 | 296 | | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 64,100 Valid: 42,611 Quota: 7,102 Turnout: 66.5% ||||||||||||||||
The Business and Professional Group candidates were members of the Cork Progressive Association.

### 1922 general election

1922 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| | Labour | Robert Day | 22.5 | 6,836 | | | | |
| | Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty) | J. J. Walsh | 18.9 | 5,731 | 5,899 | 6,052 | 6,097 | |
| | Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty) | Liam de Róiste | 18.6 | 5,657 | 5,966 | 6,147 | | |
| | Sinn Féin (Anti-Treaty) | Mary MacSwiney | 13.2 | 4,016 | 4,051 | 5,482 | 5,503 | 6,066 |
| | Independent | Richard Beamish | 11.5 | 3,485 | 3,552 | 3,558 | 3,560 | 4,769 |
| | Independent | Frank Daly | 9.3 | 2,826 | 3,002 | 3,034 | 3,043 | |
| | Sinn Féin (Anti-Treaty) | Donal O'Callaghan | 5.9 | 1,796 | 1,807 | | | |
| Electorate: 48,817 Valid: 30,347 Quota: 6,070 Turnout: 62.2% |||||||||

### 1921 general election

1921 general election: Cork Borough :
| Party | Candidate | FPv% | % | Seat |
| Sinn Féin | Liam de Róiste | Unopposed | N/A | 1 |
| Sinn Féin | Mary MacSwiney | Unopposed | N/A | 2 |
| Sinn Féin | Donal O'Callaghan | Unopposed | N/A | 3 |
| Sinn Féin | J. J. Walsh | Unopposed | N/A | 4 |