About Me

I ran for election as an independent candidate in Galway-East in Ireland’s 2024 General Election. I lost.

That loss was liberating in many ways, knowing I tried. It was also deeply frustrating because it confirmed many beliefs I had about Ireland and our approach to politics. This is the primary motivation for this Substack — something needs to change.

I ran in Galway-East on a platform of democratic reform, rural Ireland advocacy, and accountability for corporate interests that dominate Irish politics at the expense of ordinary people. When I knocked on doors, I heard the same story over and over again: people feel Irish democracy doesn’t serve them anymore.

They were right.

Worse still, many people who feel this way still vote for incumbent parties with an indifferent attitude of “ah shure, isn’t that how me faather voted!?”. Auto-pilot, kamikaze style.

This Substack investigates how Irish politics actually works — using data analysis, investigative journalism and the insider knowledge I gained from running a campaign. I write about the systems that block independents, the FF/FG duopoly that maintains power through dysfunction, the rural-urban divide that’s destroying the west of Ireland, and the corporate interests (data centres, tax avoidance, housing profiteers) that shape policy while ordinary people struggle.

I’m not a neutral observer. I have clear values: democracy should serve people, not parties; rural Ireland deserves equity, not abandonment; corporate interests shouldn’t write public policy. But I maintain journalistic standards, use data honestly and critique my own side when warranted.

I’m currently organising for electoral reform and rural Ireland advocacy. I write about what I investigate and what activism teaches me about power.

No corporate sponsors. No bullshit.

Just data, investigation and the kind of questioning that’s increasingly absent from traditional media.

Contact: paul@paulmadden.ie
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulmaddengalway


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