European elections: A champion jockey, former RTÉ man and ex-Rose in Midlands North-West mix

Massive constituency sees 27 candidates vying for five seats – with Nina Carberry and Ciaran Mullooly well-known hopefuls

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh launching her campaign in Castlebar, Co Mayo with her parents Vincent and Noreen. Photo: Andrew Downes/Xposure

Gabija Gataveckaite

There are 27 candidates running in the massive Midlands-North West European election constituency, which spans from Donegal to Galway to Kildare.

The sitting MEPs are: Fine Gael’s Maria Walsh and Colm Markey, Independent Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and Sinn Féin’s Chris MacManus.