Irish voters went to the polls in February 2016 delivering a fragmented parliament. Continued decline of the parties of the centre right resulted in a minority government uncertain of regular support for its programme of government. The Labour Party was eviscerated at the polls after presiding over five years of austerity politics in government. Like many of its sister social democratic parties in Europe, it faces major questions about its future. Populism is on the rise in Ireland as elsewhere but non-party candidates with a local community focus and the hard left have captured this anti-politics feeling so far.