An election to Seanad Éireann, the Senate of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament), took place in March 1938, following the coming into operation of the Constitution of Ireland in December 1937.

The Seanad of the Irish Free State was abolished by the Constitution (Amendment No.

The Free State Seanad was elected in stages and thus considered to be in permanent session.

[2] On 11 May 1938, Pádraic Ó Máille (FF), who had served as Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 1922 to 1927, was proposed by Seán Hayes (FF) and seconded by Peadar Toner Mac Fhionnlaoich (Ind) for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach.

The following table shows the composition by party when the 2nd Seanad first met on 27 April 1938.