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1981 Northern Ireland local elections


FieldValue
election_name1981 Northern Ireland local elections
flag_imageFlag placeholder.svg
typeparliamentary
ongoingno
previous_election1977 Northern Ireland local elections
previous_year1977
next_election1985 Northern Ireland local elections
next_year1985
seats_for_electionAll council seats
election_date20 May 1981
leader1**James Molyneaux**
party1Ulster Unionist Party
seats1**151**
seat_change125
popular_vote1175,965
percentage126.4%
swing13.6%
image2[[File:Ian Paisley, 1983 (cropped).jpg160x160px]]
leader2Ian Paisley
party2Democratic Unionist Party
seats2142
seat_change268
popular_vote2**176,816**
percentage2**26.6%**
swing213.8%
image3[[File:John Hume, 1979 (cropped).jpg160x160px]]
leader3John Hume
party3Social Democratic and Labour Party
seats3104
seat_change39
popular_vote3116,487
percentage317.5%
swing33.1%
leader4Oliver Napier
party4Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
seats438
seat_change432
popular_vote459,397
percentage48.9%
swing45.5%
leader5N/A
party5Independent (politician)
seats537
seat_change55
popular_vote544,427
percentage56.7%
swing50.9%
image6[[File:Noimage.png160x160px]]
leader6Pat Fahy
party6Irish Independence Party
seats621
seat_change621
popular_vote625,859
percentage63.9%
swing6*New party*
map_imageNorthern Ireland local elections, 1981 (Council Control).svg
map_captionColours denote the winning party with outright control
map2_imageNorthern Ireland local elections, 1981 (Largest party).svg
map2_captionColours denote the party with the most seats
map3_image1981 Northern Ireland local elections by DEA.png
map3_captionColours denote the party with the most first preference votes in each District Electoral Area (darker colours indicate a majority of first preference votes).

Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland in 1981, contesting 526 seats in all.

Results

Overall

PartyCouncillorsVotesTotal+/-% shareTotal
142+6826.6176,816
151-2526.4175,965
104-917.5116,487
38-328.959,397
37-56.744,427
21*N/A*3.925,859
Workers' Party (Ireland)}}"The Workers' Party Republican Clubs3-31.812,059
6-41.28,219
5*N/A*1.27,817
5-70.74,962
2*N/A*0.74,734
2-40.74,478
2*N/A*0.53,654
100.53,563
1*N/A*0.53,057
New Ulster Political Research1*N/A*0.42,989
Independent Loyalist2+10.31,935
Independent Socialist1+10.31,884
Newtownabbey Labour1*N/A*0.21,113
Labour League0*N/A*0.1924
Social Alliance0*N/A*0.1898
100.1832
United Democratic0*N/A*0.1692
Trade Union Campaign0*N/A*0.1439
Independent Alliance0*N/A*0.1323
000.0247
000.0201
Unionist Unity000.0196
000.0194
000.0142
Independent SDLP000.085
Social Reform Party000.034
United British Ulster Peoples Party000.028

By council

Antrim

Antrim APartyCandidate1st Pref
**James Graham**1,293
**Robert Loughran**603
**John Heffron**537
**Wilson Clyde**533
Gerard Carolan429
Frew Rainey381
Desmond McAteer339
**Jack Blakely**207
James Totten164
James McConnell113
Stewart Dunlop91
Mary Marshall76
**Turnout**4,901
Irish Independence Party}}John Heffron joins IIP
Social Democratic and Labour Party}}SDLP gain from Independent
Antrim BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Thomas Wallace**688
**James Cunningham**684
**Robert Burns**638
**Roy Thompson**587
Allister Lucas554
**Thomas Grant**398
Alexander Wilson252
John McCourt195
George Luke134
**Turnout**4,251
Social Democratic and Labour Party}}SDLP gain from Alliance
Antrim CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Samuel Dunlop**1,719
**Paddy Marks**1,182
**Jack Allen**961
**Charles Quinn**615
Antrim Labour LeagueJohn Gibbons562
**Michael Donoghue**531
Charles Kinahan465
Mary Wallace266
Antrim Tenants' AssociationPhilip Henry243
Hugh Johnston204
**Turnout**6,984
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP

Ards

Ards APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Gladys McIntyre**1,034
**Patrick Doherty**942
**Joseph Thompson**917
**Oliver Johnston**875
Jim Shannon741
**Robert Ambrose**609
**John Scott**545
James McMullan808
**William Sheldon**427
William Caughey609
Alan Burnside337
James Kennett259
David Hamilton209
Michael Long112
Frances Millar100
**Turnout**8,162
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Ulster Popular Unionist Party}}UPUP gain from Alliance
Ards BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Hugh Boyd**1,681
**Robert Gaw**1,310
**Hugh Gibson**1,005
**Owen Dorrian**784
**John Elliott**670
**Robert Brown**508
James Murray468
Robert Hamilton458
Hugh Patton383
Hugh Yeaman360
James Murphy270
Edward McLoughlin166
William Speers162
John Gray114
**Turnout**8,649
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Ulster Popular Unionist Party}}UPUP gain from Alliance
Ards CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Thomas Gourley**1,479
**Hamilton McKeag**1,082
**John Hamilton**752
**Thomas McBriar**526
Kathleen Coulter348
Gordon Brown334
John Shields311
James Middleton237
Robert McKee222
James Caughey213
Shirley McWhinney124
Thomas Adair20
**Turnout**5,816
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Independent

Armagh

Armagh APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Ronald Allen**938
**Douglas Hutchinson**878
**Francis McIlvanna**781
**Samuel Foster**610
Francis Kernan593
Norman Kerr244
Robert Cummings74
**Turnout**4,296
No change
Armagh BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Jim Speers**1,931
**Seamus Mallon**1,394
**William McClelland**1,092
**Thomas Black**917
**Robert Turner**742
Thomas Johnston733
**Francis Little**732
John Alexander561
Mervyn Spratt459
Frederick Hamilton59
**Turnout**8,780
No change
Armagh CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Patrick Fegan**980
**Jim Nicholson**962
**James McKernan**933
**Joseph McBride**705
**Joseph Dunleavy**690
Patrick Agnew493
Eleanor Boyd450
Peter McSorley370
**Turnout**5,790
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Armagh DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Frederick Armstrong**1,173
**Barney McManus**1,011
**Pat Brannigan**807
**Letitia McClenaghan**653
**Anthony Agnew**617
Gerald Grimley568
**George MacCartney**393
Norman Creswell243
Independent Labour}}"Armagh Labour PartyCarson Greer134
**Turnout**5,827
No change

Ballymena

Ballymena APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Desmond Armstrong**964
**James Woulahan**824
**John Armstrong**823
James McKay640
**Samuel Hanna**583
James Millar410
**Turnout**4,365
No change
Ballymena BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Roy Gillespie**1,254
**Sandy Spence**981
**John Greer**853
**Thomas Nicholl**740
Hubert Nicholl740
**Hugh Simpson**537
**William Wright**464
Robert Nelson413
Thomas Smyth402
John Sutter271
**Turnout**6,771
Ulster Unionist Party}}Hugh Simpson joins UUP
Ulster Unionist Party}}UUP gain from Independent
Ballymena CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Roy West**1,082
**Martin Clarke**978
**Charles Maternaghan**825
**John McAuley**825
**William Brownlees**815
William Simpson694
William McConnell243
Ernest Johnston108
**Turnout**5,713
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Independent Unionist
Ulster Unionist Party}}UUP gain from United Ratepayers
Ballymena DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Patrick Burke**1,331
**Maurice Mills**1,113
**James Alexander**898
**Samuel Henry**790
**Robert Maternaghan**758
**Gordon Wilson**547
Kenneth Hood501
James Rainey395
Samuel Barr241
**Turnout**6,604
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance

Ballymoney

Ballymoney APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Robert Halliday**575
**Hugh McFarland**516
**James Patterson**484
**Kenneth Bamford**404
Robert Wilson403
Adam Taylor188
Olive Craig146
**Turnout**2,757
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland}}Alliance gain from UUP
Ballymoney BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Charles Steele**791
**Hugh Boyle**615
**William Gracey**474
**Bertie McIlhatton**298
**Joe Gaston**596
**William Logan**362
**Edward McClements**351
**Harry Connolly**335
Mary Ellis278
John Mulholland271
Samuel Bartlett261
Margaret Donnelly212
Malachy McCamphill97
**Turnout**5,063
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP and SDLP
Ballymoney CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Cecil Cousley**747
**Ralph Strong**538
**Mary Holmes**567
**Robert McComb**353
Brendan Smyth352
James Simpson328
Thomas McKenna152
**Turnout**3,102
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance and Independent Unionist

Banbridge

Banbridge APartyCandidate1st Pref
**James Walsh**1,092
**Wilson Davidson**939
**Wilfred McFadden**907
**Laurence McCartan**865
**Norman Ferguson**684
**Samuel Cowan**682
Kenneth McElroy573
Hugh Anderson538
**Gareth Bennett**499
Irene Todd422
Raymond Armstrong278
Mildred McDowell161
Herbert Plunkett151
Independent Nationalist}}"Independent SDLPMargaret McStraw318
**Turnout**8,135
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Independent Unionist
Banbridge BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Patrick McAvoy**1,125
**Brian Biggerstaff**750
**Raymond McCullough**709
**Matthew Bailey**589
**George Gamble**525
**Herbert Heslip**493
**David Herron**472
**Robert Hill**445
Robert McIlroy445
Eric Williamson380
Robert Barr366
Dromore Action CommitteeThompson Howe280
Robert McGregor273
Ebenezer Mulligan104
**Turnout**7,128
No change

Belfast

Belfast APartyCandidate1st Pref
**John Foster**3,333
**Jeremy Burchill**2,589
**Raymond McCrea**2,345
**Grace Bannister**2,055
**Sammy Wilson**1,479
**Donnell Deeny**1,439
Alasdair McDonnell1,262
**Billy Blair**900
**Mervyn Jones**766
T. Wilkins544
Frank Cullen418
P. T. McGrourty410
D. Peters276
Ben Horan187
John McKeague99
James Stewart97
**Turnout**19,133
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance
Ulster Unionist Party}}UUP gain from SDLP
Belfast BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Oliver Napier**2,631
**Henry Evans**2,513
**Joshua Cardwell**2,327
**Bill Morrison**2,152
**Tommy Patton**2,083
**William Corry**1,733
**Michael Brown**1,602
S. Foster1,464
Dorothy Dunlop1,248
A. Greer979
S. G. Coulson647
D. McKee548
New Ulster Political ResearchD. P. Scott434
Peter Prendiville236
**Turnout**21,838
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Belfast CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**David Cook**2,493
**Mary Crooks**2,099
**Andrew Cairns**1,933
**Brian Gibson**1,503
Ben Caraher1,501
J. J. Dixon Gilmore1,326
**William Stevenson**1,214
**Muriel Pritchard**1,158
B. Jeffrey913
T. McIntyre729
Victor Brennan532
G. Carr530
**Turnout**16,460
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance and UPNI
Belfast DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Joe Hendron**4,291
**John McNulty**2,781
**Cormac Boomer**2,070
Socialist**Paddy Devlin**1,343
Mary McMahon1,125
**Gerry Kelly**957
W. J. Browning822
Dan McGuinness725
**Mary Muldoon**636
J. Hand538
K. Smyth438
Anne McElroy346
L. Hunter167
R. Turkington137
**Turnout**17,436
Independent (politician)}}Paddy Devlin leaves SDLP
People's Democracy}}People's Democracy gain from Republican Clubs
Irish Republican Socialist Party}}IRSP gain from Alliance
Belfast EPartyCandidate1st Pref
**George Haffrey**4,142
**Billy Bell**3,105
**George Seawright**1,989
**Hugh Smyth**1,931
New Ulster Political ResearchSammy Doyle1,135
**Laurence Kennedy**1,070
A. H. Egerton1,011
Unionist DemocracyFred Proctor692
Alban Maginness618
J. Sands386
**Alfie Ferguson**367
P. Hunter321
J. Weir311
Peter Emerson202
Margaret McNulty177
**Turnout**18,081
Progressive Unionist Party}}Hugh Smyth joins PUP
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance
Belfast FPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Billy Dickson**1,913
**Sean Flynn**1,639
J. Sullivan1,002
**Eric Smyth**952
**Owen Allen**898
**Will Glendinning**844
**James Stewart**719
H. G. Fitzmaurice719
L. Cust638
H. Fletcher621
Mary Smyth389
T. Lappin227
Paul Maguire215
**Turnout**11,428
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Irish Republican Socialist Party}}IRSP gain from Republican Clubs
Belfast GPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Frederick Ashby**1,913
**Fergus O'Hare**1,953
New Ulster Political Research**Sammy Millar**1,420
**Cecil Walker**1,173
Seamus Lynch750
**Brian Feeney**749
Herbert Ditty595
SocialistGerry Fitt541
**Joseph Coggle**392
P. J. McGarry313
**Turnout**10,336
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance
People's Democracy}}People's Democracy gain from Republican Clubs
NUPRG gain from UUP
Belfast HPartyCandidate1st Pref
**John Carson**5,014
**Paschal O'Hare**3,057
**William Annon**3,010
**Frank Millar**1,848
**John Cushnahan**1,739
Alan Carr1,000
Alban Maginness818
**William Gault**813
L. McK. Clarke553
R. O. Jamison531
David Overend503
Pauline Strong466
**Raymond Trimble**408
**Turnout**20,480
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance

Carrickfergus

Carrick APartyCandidate1st Pref
United Loyalist**Charles Johnston**819
**William Haggan**559
**Joan Tomlin**512
**Samuel Irvine**504
**Mary Ardill**458
Anne Dickson353
Stewart Dickson208
Ernest Burton188
Robert Gordon145
Mary Anderson133
**Turnout**3,977
Charles Johnston leaves UUUC
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP and Alliance
Carrick BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**William Cross**748
**Hugh McLean**701
**James Brown**588
**Patrick Conway**446
**William Knox**359
Charles Hilditch307
Steven Watters249
Alice Bateman231
Robert Wilson122
Henry Cardwell105
Richard Hopkins85
**Turnout**4,074
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance
Carrick CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Ken McFaul**1,572
**Sean Neeson**663
**Samuel Murphy**526
Samuel Stewart353
**William McKeown**241
Elizabeth Carson230
**Jim Strange**167
Robert Hunter159
John Haslett155
Arthur McQuitty106
Edwin Cummings30
**Turnout**4,367
Independent Unionist}}Samuel Murphy leaves UPNI
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP

Castlereagh

Castlereagh APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Ernest Harper**1,555
**John Glass**1,104
**William Clulow**1,056
**Frederick Kane**865
**Philip Grosse**749
Samuel Finlay573
Bryan Milford548
**John Hillis**543
Ann Smith502
James Lowe438
John Moore420
Robin Newton379
**Turnout**8,980
Democratic Unionist Party}}Ernest Harper joins DUP
Independent politician}}Independent gain from Alliance
Castlereagh BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Roy Allen**3,098
**Alan Carson**987
**William Ward**912
**Matthew Anderson**784
**Felicity Boyd**742
Leslie Farrington741
**Adam Morrow**725
**John Gilpin**444
Amy McKeown383
**Wesley Boyle**347
John Lamont277
Michael Brooks194
Samuel Pyper124
James Bate76
William Gunning65
William Copley28
LoyalistAnnetta Hynes11
**Turnout**10,334
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Independent Unionist and Alliance
Castlereagh CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Peter Robinson**3,562
**Patricia Archer**1,048
**Herbert Johnstone**990
Bryan Davidson493
Walter McFarland411
**Cedric Wilson**38
**Denny Vitty**35
**Turnout**6,836
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP and Alliance

Coleraine

Coleraine APartyCandidate1st Pref
**John Dallat**1,061
**Gerard O'Kane**901
**William King**864
**Thomas Malone Jr.**783
William Watt705
**George McIlrath**690
**Robert Catherwood**680
James Anderson446
Mayne Long395
Irwin Holmes366
Anne Lambert117
**Turnout**7,187
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Independent Unionist
Social Democratic and Labour Party}}SDLP gain from UUP
Coleraine BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**William Creelman**1,119
**William Glenn**674
Sean Farren658
**Albert Clarke**630
**Matthew Kane**540
**Robert Mitchell**493
**Patrick McGowan**453
**Elizabeth Connolly**423
John Earl333
William Sweeney309
Peter Scott293
Thomas Henry291
Roy Hilldrup272
Malcolm Samuel61
**Turnout**6,715
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Independent and SDLP
Coleraine CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**James McClure**3,203
**Robert White**1,374
**Patrick McFeely**1,174
**William McNabb**746
**Paul Baxter**615
William Mathews500
**Randall Crawford**468
Matthew Adams355
Avril McCandless81
**Robert Bolton**69
William McElfatrick60
Margaret Smith54
Antony Alcock48
Elizabeth Gaston39
Robert Hunter39
James Leonard33
**Turnout**9,073
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Independent politician}}Independent gain from Alliance

Cookstown

Cookstown APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Kenneth Loughrin**1,087
**Laurence Loughran**1,073
**Samuel Glasgow**1,070
**Patrick Bradley**722
Peter Kelly563
**Samuel Parke**470
**Turnout**5,149
No change
Cookstown BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**William McIntyre**1,502
**Paddy Duffy**1,197
**Michael McIvor**964
**Victor McGahie**721
**James Howard**720
Edward Hagan679
**Joseph Davidson**605
**Turnout**6,535
Democratic Unionist Party}}William McIntyre leaves UUUP
Ulster Unionist Party}}Victor McGahie leaves UUUP
Cookstown CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Alan Kane**1,120
**Brigid Neeson**1,079
**Margaret Laverty**932
**Espie Donaldson**930
John Warwick328
Alex McConnell233
**Turnout**4,946
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP

Craigavon

Craigavon APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Paddy Breen**1,220
**James McDonald**999
**Sean McKavanagh**867
Victor Pickering766
**James Gillespie**732
**Patrick Crilly**652
Thomas Fox563
Social AllianceJoseph Cunningham192
William Lyness183
**Turnout**6,419
No change
Craigavon BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Herbert Whitten**1,785
**Daniel Murphy**1,343
**Gladys McCullough**1,127
**James Forsythe**802
**Alan Locke**664
Dermot Hamill541
**George Hatch**518
**William Ramsay**415
John Hagan360
Frederick Richardson336
John Oliver227
**Turnout**8,444
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance
Craigavon CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Tom French**1,298
**Hugh News**1,077
**Mary Simpson**987
**Cyril McLoughlin**775
**Robert Dodds**750
Jack Mathers659
**William Smith**650
Ronald Williamson617
Brian Gee579
Social AllianceAlan Evans398
Catherine McCann391
Social AllianceGeorge Forker308
Terence McGinnity270
Robert McEvoy250
Frederick Crowe141
**Turnout**9,468
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance
Workers' Party (Ireland)}}WPRC gain from SDLP
Craigavon DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Frederick Baird**1,570
**Sydney Cairns**1,151
**Sam Gardiner**1,131
**David Calvert**1,119
**George Savage**1,028
**Ian Williams**872
**Philip Black**790
Gary Kennedy639
Thomas Megarrell486
Samuel Lutton432
**Turnout**9,455
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP

Down

Down APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Cecil Harvey**1,387
**Samuel Osborne**954
**Francis Laverty**809
**Monica Smyth**751
**Dermot Nesbitt**732
William Finlay655
**William Brown**641
Thomas Murray489
**Thomas Poole**477
James Glover355
John Rodgers326
Wanda Rowan-Hamilton286
James Cochrane275
Thomas McKee187
InterdependenceFrancis Rice50
InterdependenceEileen Rice24
**Turnout**8,614
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP and Alliance
Down BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Edward McGrady**1,711
**Raymond Blaney**1,121
**Dermot Curran**893
**Cecil Maxwell**875
**Malachi Curran**665
**John Ritchie**647
Elizabeth Kennedy513
George Flinn451
John Bryce382
Sean Quinn373
Michael Healy305
**Turnout**8,188
Workers' Party (Ireland)}}WPRC gain from SDLP
Northern Ireland Labour Party}}Labour gain from Alliance
Down CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Paddy O'Donoghue**1,328
**Ethel Smyth**1,137
**Gerald Douglas**939
**James Magee**826
**Eamon O'Neill**822
**James Curry**762
Norman Bicker573
**Patrick Forde**487
Stephen McClean440
Edward O'Hagan349
Anthony Dickinson200
William Keown182
David Allister117
**Turnout**8,413
Democratic Unionist Party}}Ethel Smyth leaves UUP

Dungannon

Dungannon APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Seamus Cassidy**1,057
**Anthony McGonnell**889
John Monaghan856
**Noel Mulligan**797
**Samuel Brush**633
**William McIlwrath**583
Frederick Burrows570
Winston Mulligan549
**Turnout**6,026
Independent politician}}Independent gain from SDLP
Dungannon BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Jim Canning**1,744
**Owen Nugent**1,140
**Patrick McGlinchey**1,138
**Thomas Kempton**918
**John Corr**539
Abraham White497
**Turnout**6,186
Independent politician}}Owen Nugent leaves SDLP
Dungannon CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Patsy Daly**1,324
**Derek Irwin**981
**James Ewing**778
**John Taggart**647
Norman Lockhart583
**Jim Brady**571
Wilfred Dilworth558
James McNeill205
William Lucas104
**Turnout**5,876
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Dungannon DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Maurice Morrow**1,124
**Ken Maginnis**1,085
**Plunkett O'Donnell**1,062
**William Brown**1,046
**Michael McLoughlin**751
Peggie Devlin579
**Turnout**5,762
Independent politician}}Michael McLoughlin leaves SDLP
Ulster Unionist Party}}UUP gain from Independent
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from Independent

Fermanagh

Fermanagh APartyCandidate1st Pref
**John McMahon**1,292
**Jack Leahy**1,075
**John Joe McCusker**1,069
Thomas Murray849
**Fergus McQuillan**628
Caroline Madill548
Michael McBarron528
Thomas Johnston329
John Reihill280
**Turnout**6,734
Independent politician}}John Joe McCusker leaves Unity
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from Independent
Fermanagh BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Cecil Noble**1,660
**Patrick Cox**1,216
**Norman Brown**892
**Roy Coalter**535
Cyril Crozier396
Thomas Doherty395
Seamus Carson310
Margaret Veitch261
**Turnout**5,774
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUUP
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from SDLP
Fermanagh CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Patrick McCaffrey**1,178
**Wilson Elliott**941
**Patrick Flanagan**848
Annie Cavanagh816
**Gerard Gallagher**776
Herbert Corrigan693
George Gott468
Patrick McGovern200
**Turnout**6,094
Irish Independence Party}}Patrick McCaffrey leaves Unity
Fermanagh DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Herbert Kerr**1,241
**Caldwell McClaughrey**1,074
**Bert Johnston**905
**John O'Kane**843
Gerry O'Donnell544
Patrick Keown448
John Cunningham396
Patrick McGrath391
Miriam Cuthbertson266
John Haslett179
**Turnout**6,371
Democratic Unionist Party}}Bert Johnston leaves UUUP
Ulster Unionist Party}}UUP gain from SDLP
Fermanagh EPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Raymond Ferguson**1,116
**Patrick O'Reilly**825
Nigel Dodds767
**Samuel Foster**563
Edward Bermingham548
**Jim Lunny**519
Jim Donnelly456
Alwin Loane415
Fermanagh Labour LeagueThomas Campbell362
Marjorie Moore298
Roy Tarbotton242
**Turnout**6,253
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from SDLP
Ulster Unionist Party}}UUP gain from UUUP

Larne

Larne APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Thomas Robinson**897
**William Cunning**875
**Rachel Rea**582
**Hugh Wilson**469
Robert Campbell414
**Turnout**3,311
Independent politician}}Independent gain from SDLP
Larne BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**John Alexander**647
**Samuel McAllister**600
**Laurence Niblock**547
United Loyalist**Roy Beggs**466
Alexander Hunter296
William Calwell241
**Turnout**2,865
Ulster Unionist Party}}Laurence Niblock leaves Vanguard
Roy Beggs leaves DUP
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP and Alliance
Larne CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Jack McKee**1,436
**Robert Robinson**770
**Winston Fulton**509
**William Kelly**508
**Thomas Benson**428
Amelia Kelly396
**Rosalie Armstrong**387
Joseph Wallace325
United LoyalistSamuel Martin262
Community CandidateJames Clements218
**Leonard Sluman**178
Agnew Hamilton156
Community CandidatePatrick Todd69
William Fleck61
**Turnout**5,894
Ulster Unionist Party}}Rosalie Armstrong leaves Vanguard
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Vanguard and Independent
Ulster Unionist Party}}UUP gain from Independent

Limavady

Limavady APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Arthur Doherty**727
**Roy King**678
**Ernest Murray**654
**Robert Grant**563
**Thomas Mullan**562
**Stanley Gault**434
James Gilfillan290
**Turnout**3,986
No change
Limavady BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**David Robinson**883
**Lawrence Hegarty**571
**Denis Farren**501
**Max Gault**329
**Sean McCloskey**319
James Brolly310
Alex Fulton220
George McCormick197
Andrew Murphy127
John McKay75
Workers' Party (Ireland)}}"The Workers' Party Republican ClubsJerry Mullan63
**Turnout**3,715
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from SDLP
Limavady CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**William Norris**729
**Barry Doherty**653
**William Cooke**650
**William Barbour**622
Jackie Dolan595
Geraldine Kearny510
Francis Parkinson223
George Robinson133
Arthur Reid108
**Turnout**4,287
No change

Lisburn

Lisburn APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Robert Campbell**1,299
**James Wells**1,004
**William Dillon**916
**John Clenaghan**905
Charles Woodburne515
Henry Stewart394
**Turnout**5,142
No change
Lisburn BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Charles Poots**1,469
**William Bleakes**1,222
**Thomas Lilburn**655
John Alderdice623
**Samuel Dorman**620
**James McCann**469
Joseph McClullough447
William Johnston351
**Turnout**5,977
Ulster Unionist Party}}William Bleakes leaves UUUP
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Lisburn CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**William Belshaw**2,412
**Denis McCarroll**856
**William Watson**812
**Seamus Close**811
Wilfred McClung585
**Robert Dunsmore**423
George Morrison401
William Whitley389
Robert Clarke107
**Turnout**6,992
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP and UUUP
Lisburn DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Ivan Davis**3,720
**George Boyd**1,086
**Samuel Semple**1,069
**Maureen McKinney**788
James Mulholland479
**Robert McNeice**470
David Trimble454
David Gordon232
John Curry153
**Turnout**8,639
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UPNI
Lisburn EPartyCandidate1st Pref
**William Beattie**1,909
**William McAllister**1,830
**William McDonnell**1,013
John Cousins542
Gerard Dunlop462
Brion Fitzsimons435
**James Davis**105
Terry Bruton72
**Turnout**6,831
United Ulster Unionist Party}}UUUP gain from Alliance

Londonderry

Londonderry APartyCandidate1st Pref
**John Henry**1,412
**John McNickle**1,018
**George Peoples**942
**Robert Bond**937
**William Hay**906
**Thomas Doherty**837
Danny Ferguson808
Ernest Hamilton592
Alan Lindsay526
John Allen318
James Patterson173
Delap Stevenson173
**Turnout**8,786
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Londonderry BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Anna Hay**1,586
**Gregory Campbell**1,206
**Michael Fegan**1,119
**James Guy**1,078
Robert McCullough707
**Robert Ferris**583
George McNally496
Colm Elliott462
Thomas McGlinchley410
Derry Trades Union CouncilBernard McAnaney39
**Turnout**7,855
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance
Londonderry CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Patrick Devine**1,566
**John McChrystal**599
**Anna Gallagher**353
Raymond Rogan312
**Kevin Barr**299
Samuel Brown274
**Joseph Moran**229
Eileen Doherty221
Gerard O'Grady213
Vincent Coyle174
Eamon Melaugh143
Patrick Harkin125
Derry Trades Union CouncilAnn Donnelly75
John Carr61
**Turnout**4,891
Irish Independence Party}}John McChrystal and Kevin Barr join IIP
Londonderry DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**William Keys**788
**James Bradley**591
**Margaret Buchanan**507
**John Tierney**438
**William McCartney**353
Roger O'Doherty182
Noel Sinclair141
Liam Wray93
Thomas McCourt92
Derry Trades Union CouncilColm Fox88
**Turnout**3,426
Irish Independence Party}}James Bradley joins IIP
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Londonderry EPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Frank Donnelly**1,344
**Fergus McAteer**1,203
**William O'Connell**1,176
**Leonard Green**984
**William McCorriston**976
**David Davis**956
Ita Breen563
Annette Hetherington560
James Crossan349
Edward Bradley301
Denis McIntyre180
Derry Trades Union CouncilJohn Duffy164
Paul Whoriskey144
Community CandidateMichael Shiels122
Derry Trades Union CouncilBill Webster73
**Turnout**9,377
Irish Independence Party}}Fergus McAteer joins IIP
Social Democratic and Labour Party}}SDLP gain from Alliance

Magherafelt

Magherafelt APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Noel McCusker**1,597
**Mary McSorley**920
**John Linton**823
**Patrick Sweeney**705
John Kenning569
**Frank McKendry**459
Patrick McBride403
Francis Thompson359
Francis Donnelly329
Geraldine Crilly137
Peter Merron53
**Turnout**6,483
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Social Democratic and Labour Party}}SDLP gain from UUP
Independent (politician)}}Independent gain from WPRC
Magherafelt BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**John Davey**1,961
**Robert Overend**1,070
**John Junkin**690
**Thomas Milligan**668
Alexander Montgomery512
**Francis Madden**322
Vincent O'Neill300
Henry McErlean284
**Turnout**5,985
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from Independent
Magherafelt CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**William McCrea**2,248
**Bernard Murphy**1,208
William Conaghan696
**Roddy Gribben**638
Michael O'Neill398
**William Lees**346
Ernest Caldwell309
Wilfred Brennen288
**George Miller**283
James Artt256
John Gregg38
**Turnout**6,855
Independent politician}}Independent gain from SDLP

Moyle

Moyle APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Malachy McSparran**477
**Fergus Wheeler**461
**Gerard Gillan**262
**Archie McIntosh**248
John McKay241
Charles Hamill220
Thomas O'Neill96
Gerard McCarry83
Anna Edwards68
**Turnout**2,202
Social Democratic and Labour Party}}SDLP gain from Independent (x2)
Moyle BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**James Rodgers**445
**Price McConaghy**381
**James McShane**345
**Mary Morrison**300
**Robert Getty**299
**Hugh Acheson**253
**Ronnie McIlvar**243
**James McAuley**193
Maurice McHenry142
Andrew Dobbin133
John Shanks92
Samuel Simpson56
**Turnout**2,955
Independent Unionist}}Price McConaghy leaves UUP
Ulster Unionist Party}}UUP gain from Independent Unionist (x2)
Moyle CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Richard Kerr**296
**Archie McAuley**237
**Michael O'Cleary**222
Eamonn Scally178
Joseph Donaghy157
**Elizabeth Johnstone**150
Hugh Sayers139
Norman Campbell128
Thomas Cecil92
**Turnout**1,647
No change

Newry and Mourne

Newry and Mourne APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Colum Murnion**1,346
**George Graham**1,264
**William Russell**1,155
**William Coulter**1,052
**Anne Marie Cunningham**639
Arthur Dornan600
Robert McConnell175
**Turnout**6,443
No change
Newry and Mourne BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**P. J. Bradley**1,048
**Jim McCart**847
**Liam Trainor**595
**Brian Mulligan**589
Anthony Williamson459
William McCoy433
Joe Kearney412
Eithne Doran174
Raymond Hanna135
Peter Maloy106
Johnny Ward33
**Turnout**5,049
Social Democratic and Labour Party}}SDLP gain from Independent and Alliance
Newry and Mourne CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Nan Sands**1,014
**William Sterritt**901
**Violet Cromie**612
**Patrick Harper**611
Annie Copeland466
James Fagan395
Violet Watts87
**Turnout**4,198
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Newry and Mourne DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Eugene Markey**1,831
**John McEvoy**988
**Andrew Moffett**805
**Clarence Morrow**675
**John Bell**664
**Thomas McGrath**627
Michael McNulty592
Victor Frizell588
George McConnell303
Brian Mulligan287
Matthew Cunningham203
**Francis McCamley**167
**Turnout**8,010
Irish Independence Party}}Eugene Markey joins IIP
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from Alliance
Newry and Mourne EPartyCandidate1st Pref
**James Lynch**1,244
**Pat Toner**925
**Anthony Watters**852
**James Savage**758
**Owen Kelly**570
Jack McMahon533
Sean McCreesh531
Elizabeth McConnell530
**Jim Murphy**447
Alex Chambers255
Brian Woods242
Sean Reavy83
**Turnout**7,212
Irish Independence Party}}Jim Murphy joins IIP
Anti H-Block}}Anti H-Block gain from SDLP
Newry and Mourne FPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Arthur Ruddy**874
**William McCaigue**752
**Patrick McElroy**666
**Freddie Kearns**479
Louis McGuigan475
Michael McVerry306
Kevin McAleenan277
Gordon Heslip258
P. J. McCann248
Edward McKeown105
Michael McLoughlin87
Edward Turley85
Social Reform PartyJames Malone34
**Turnout**4,833
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from Alliance

Newtownabbey

Newtownabbey APartyCandidate1st Pref
**James Wilson**850
**Trevor Kirkland**830
**Mary Harkness**818
**Arthur Templeton**758
John Anderson710
**Sidney Cameron**598
Patrick McCudden550
**Turnout**5,243
Independent Unionist}}Sidney Cameron leaves UUP
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance
Newtownabbey BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**David Hanna**1,964
**Fraser Agnew**1,090
**Letitia McCartney**547
**Cecil Stringer**450
**Bob Kidd**433
Austin Kelly375
**John Elliott**363
Hugh Montgomery291
Alistair Keery102
William Stewart32
**Turnout**5,920
Ulster Unionist Party}}Cecil Stringer joins UUP
Newtownabbey CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Samuel Neill**2,737
**Clifford Forsythe**1,499
**Robert Caul**1,277
**Desmond Dowds**807
**Claire Martin**560
George Jones534
Gordon Mawhinney460
Brian Caul252
**Turnout**8,332
Independent politician}}Independent gain from Alliance
Ulster Unionist Party}}UUP gain from UPNI
Newtownabbey DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**James Smith**2,926
**James Rooney**1,068
**George Herron**951
**Ivan Hunter**949
**Arthur Kell**560
William McKee520
Independent AllianceJohn Drysdale323
John Smith308
Thomas Davidson147
Lindsay Prior94
**Turnout**8,109
Independent Unionist}}Independent Unionist gain from Alliance

North Down

North Down APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Edmund Mills**1,216
**Donald Hayes**812
**Raymond Trousdale**740
Jane Copeland710
**Bruce Mulligan**683
**William Bailie**655
George Allport605
Elizabeth Loan592
Julian Hamilton298
Valerie Kinghan279
Margaret McGimpsey247
Dorothy Smith56
**Turnout**5,610
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from Alliance
North Down BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**George Green**1,200
**Wesley Graham**972
**Camphell McCormick**821
**James Magee**733
George McMurtry663
Chalmers Quee386
Phyllis Brown370
**Cecil Baniff**306
Thomas O'Brien270
Anne Wilson268
William Elliott234
John Shields233
James Boyle203
United British Ulster Peoples PartyWilliam Johnston28
**Turnout**6,888
Ulster Popular Unionist Party}}George Green leaves Vanguard
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Ulster Popular Unionist Party}}UPUP gain from UUP
North Down CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Mary O'Fee**1,021
**William Morrow**959
**Robert Graham**929
**Hazel Bradford**907
**Brian Wilson**444
Terence McKeag422
Thomas Rollins367
Maisie McMullan273
George McKinnie263
**Turnout**5,720
Ulster Popular Unionist Party}}Mary O'Fee leaves Vanguard
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
North Down DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Ellie McKay**1,076
**John Auld**803
**Susan O'Brien**727
**Gordon Dunne**509
**Michael Clarke**423
Irene Cave391
Frederick White374
Edith Cole277
Thomas Bussell225
Trevor Boyd181
Eric Griffith135
**Turnout**5,246
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUUP

Omagh

Omagh APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Arthur McFarland**846
**Liam McQuaid**840
**Charles McElholm**771
**John Skelton**538
John Fahy496
William Montgomery490
**Ivan Foster**474
Vincent O'Brien376
George Thompson330
Independent Unionist}}"Unity UnionistCecil Anderson196
Dermot McCormack87
**Turnout**5,610
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from Independent
Omagh BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Patrick Donnelly**623
John Mullin604
**Bertie Moses**597
**Patrick Bogan**570
John Hutchinson551
**James McConnell**512
Tommy Owens407
Eugene Donnelly393
William McFarland254
**Turnout**4,631
Irish Independence Party}}Patrick Donnelly joins IIP
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Omagh CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Patrick Fahy**1,185
**Oliver Gibson**1,026
**Bernadette Grant**818
**Aidan Lagan**723
**John Ashenhurst**654
**Stephen McKenna**513
Paddy McGowan496
**William Thompson**457
Arthur Breen453
Richard Hinds336
William Caldwell251
Alfred Barnett194
James Mitchell173
Francis Loughran83
Michael Kelly79
Edward Sayers74
**Turnout**7,681
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from SDLP
Omagh DPartyCandidate1st Pref
**Francis Conway**984
**Brendan Martin**643
**Willis Cooke**576
John Johnston427
Francis McElroy375
**Brian McGrath**303
Patrick Walsh285
John Hadden235
Patrick McCrory225
John McSherry118
**Turnout**4,331
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from Alliance
Irish Independence Party}}IIP gain from WPRC
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP

Strabane

Strabane APartyCandidate1st Pref
**Denis McCrory**1,320
**Thomas Kerrigan**1,221
**Mary McCrea**1,029
Edward Turner832
Ernest Young672
**Robert Anderson**580
David Baird315
**Turnout**6,162
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Strabane BPartyCandidate1st Pref
**John Gallagher**1,101
**Francis McConnell**1,015
**Mary Britton**984
**Samuel Rogers**973
**George McIntyre**827
Henry Henderson607
Mary McAleer313
**Turnout**5,997
Democratic Unionist Party}}DUP gain from UUP
Strabane CPartyCandidate1st Pref
**James O'Kane**1,250
**Paul O'Hare**600
**William Flanagan**578
**Robert Fleming**450
**John O'Kane**418
Desmond Monteith371
William Gallagher296
Patrick Wallace288
Jane O'Donnell268
John McCrory247
Michael Dunne115
David Fleming96
William Crichton72
John Tracey43
**Turnout**5,447
Independent politician}}Independent gain from SDLP

References

References

  1. [http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg81.htm Local Government Elections 1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  2. "1981 Results Northern Ireland Local Government election".
  3. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgantrim.htm Antrim District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  4. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgards.htm Ards District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  5. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgarmagh.htm Armagh District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  6. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgballymena.htm Ballymena District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  7. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgballymoney.htm Ballymoney District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  8. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgbanbrigde.htm Banbridge District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  9. [http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgbelfast.htm The Local Government Elections 1973–1981: Belfast], Northern Ireland Elections
  10. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgcarrick.htm Carrickfergus District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  11. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgcastlereagh.htm Castlereagh District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  12. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgcoleraine.htm Coleraine District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  13. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgcookstown.htm Cookstown District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  14. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgcraigavon.htm Craigavon District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  15. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgdown.htm Down District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  16. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgdungannon.htm Dungannon District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  17. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgfermanagh.htm Fermanagh District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  18. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lglarne.htm Larne District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  19. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lglimavady.htm Limavady District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  20. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lglisburn.htm Lisburn District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  21. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgderry.htm Londonderry District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  22. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgmagherafelt.htm Magherafelt District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  23. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgmoyle.htm Moyle Council Elections 1973–1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  24. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgnandm.htm Newry & Mourne District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  25. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgnewtownabbey.htm Newtownabbey Council Elections 1973–1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  26. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgnorthdown.htm North Down District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  27. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgomagh.htm Omagh District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
  28. [https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgstrabane.htm Strabane District Council Elections 1973-1981], Northern Ireland Elections
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