County Kildare was divided into five local electoral areas (LEAs) to elect councillors for a five-year term of office on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).

In recognition of its major population growth in recent times Kildare was allocated 15 additional council seats.

This helped to insulate both government parties somewhat from anti-government hostility that lead to seat losses in other counties.

Fianna Fáil emerged as the big winners doubling their seats to 12 and becoming the largest party.

Sinn Féin won a seat in each LEA, returning to County Hall for the first time since 1999.