Live: Polls close with final voter turnout for presidential election below 40% in many areas

Main points

• Polling stations to elect Ireland’s 10th president have now closed, with Independent candidate Catherine Connolly the overwhelming favourite to win handsomely over Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys.
• Turnout appeared to be modest across the country with many areas – including Dublin City – below 40 per cent.
• The result should be known by Saturday evening. You can follow it all via The Irish Times live story, beginning at 8am.

Key reads

• Fine Gael tactics backfire as first-time voters side with Catherine Connolly
• Guide to count day: Six things to watch when presidential election ballot boxes are opened
• Analysis: How will turnout today affect the result?
• The Irish Times view on voting: cherish this simple civic duty

That’s it for our coverage tonight. Join Harry McGee for live updates from 8am tomorrow morning as the count begins.

And for a recap of today, you can read our overnight report: Historic low turnout in presidential election likely with many polling stations below 40%

Final voter turnout in Galway

The final voter turnout in Galway West is as follows -

Clifden: 40 per cent

Spiddal: 51 per cent

Moycullen: 50 per cent

Oranmore: 48 per cent

Knocknacarra (City West): 53 per cent

Salthill (St Endas West): 56 per cent

Renmore (City East): 40 per cent

Carraroe: 43 per cent

Doughiska (City East): 44 per cent

Bushypark (City West): 47 per cent

Claregalway: 47 per cent

Ballybane (City East): 42 per cent

Westside (City West): 45 per cent

Aran Islands Cill Ronan: 45 per cent

The final voter turnout in Galway East is as follows -

Gort: 40 per cent

Loughrea: 39 per cent

Tuam: 36 per cent

Athenry: 47 per cent

Kinvara: 53 per cent

Monivea: 48 per cent

Portumna: 46 per cent

Dunmore: 46 per cent

Final voter turnout in Roscommon/Galway

At the close of polls, the final breakdown of voter turnout in the Roscommon/Galway Constituency is as follows -

Roscommon Town: 45.64 per cent

Ballinasloe: 37.45 per cent

South Roscommon: 55.36 per cent

Boyle: 48.4 per cent

Castlerea: 43.5 per cent

Ballaghaderreen: 30.8 per cent

10pm marks the end of voting as polling centres close up across the country.

Follow along for more coverage of the presidential election as the counting of votes begins tomorrow morning.

Good night.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and a group of supporters of presidential candidate Catherine Connolly were accosted, and two women allegedly assaulted, by a man in Dublin’s north inner city reports Conor Lally.

The man who approached the group recorded the aftermath of the alleged assault, with one woman seen sitting on a wall holding her face as she was surrounded by other activists.

The alleged assailant aggressively verbally abused them and also made veiled threats to the group, including Ms McDonald, and shouted transphobic slurs.

He shouted expletives at those present, specifically targeting Ms McDonald at times, and threatened a man with physical violence when that person urged him to desist.

The assailant took issue with some in the group wearing Palestinian badges, repeatedly shouting at them: “Where’s your Irish Tricolour, where’s the Tricolour?”

He also said to Ms McDonald: “I’m telling you, your time will come.” He then added: “I’m telling yous. Wait ‘til you f***ing see, every f***ing one of yous.”

His video footage, now shared on social media, was being studied by gardaí in Store Street, Dublin 1, in a bid to identify the man and also gather evidence as part of the criminal investigation now under way.

One woman was brought to hospital for medical examination.

Final voter turnout in Dublin City

In total, 38.12 per cent of the electorate voted in the presidential election in Dublin City.

This can be broken down as follows -

Dublin North West: 34.7 per cent

Dublin Bay North: 48.9 per cent

Dublin Central: 37 per cent

Dublin Bay South: 31.7 per cent

Dublin South Central: 38.3 per cent

Final voter turnout in Kerry

The final breakdown of voter turnout in Kerry is as follows -

Tralee: 38 per cent

Castleisland: 39 per cent

Dingle: 42.7 per cent

Killarney: 48 per cent

Killorglin: 44 per cent

Listowel: 33 per cent

Cahersiveen: 40 per cent

Kilgarvan: 40 per cent

Voter turnout in Galway:

As of 8pm, the turnout in Galway West is as follows -

Clifden: 36 per cent

Spiddal: 45 per cent

Moycullen: 43 per cent

Oranmore: 39 per cent

Knocknacarra (City West): 44 per cent

Salthill (St Endas West): 47 per cent

Renmore (City East): 37 per cent

Carraroe: 40 per cent

Doughiska (City East): 30 per cent

Bushypark (City West): 43 per cent

Claregalway: 41 per cent

Ballybane (City East): 34 per cent

Westside (City West): 41 per cent

Aran Islands Cill Ronan: 43 per cent

Tirellan: 35 per cent

As of 8pm, the turnout in Galway East is as follows -

Gort: 35 per cent

Loughrea: 34 per cent

Tuam: 31 per cent

Athenry: 42 per cent

Kinvara: 47 per cent

Monivea: 41 per cent

Portumna: 37 per cent

Dunmore: 38 per cent

Voter turnout in Offaly

As of 8.30pm, the turnout in Offaly is as follows -

Birr Urban: 34 per cent

Birr Rural: 26 per cent

Tullamore Urban: 37.5 per cent

Tullamore Rural (Clara): 40 per cent

Edenderry Urban: 36.6 per cent

Edenderry Rural (Rhode): 36.5 per cent

Voter turnout in Longford/Westmeath

A breakdown of voter turnout in Longford/Westmeath as of 8.30pm, the last figures of the day from the constituency, is as follows -

Longford Rural: 38 per cent

Longford Urban: 36.5 per cent

Athlone Rural: 39.5 per cent

Athlone Urban: 37 per cent

Mullingar Rural: 47.3 per cent

Mullingar Urban: 33.5 per cent

Voting is now into its last hour as polling centres across the country will close at 10pm.

So far, one of the largest voter turnouts is at Darver in Co. Louth where 73 per cent of the electorate cast their ballot.

Voter turnout in Dublin City

As of 8pm, the turnout in Dublin City is as follows -

Dublin North West: 29.5 per cent

Dublin Bay North: 44 per cent

Dublin Central: 32 per cent

Dublin Bay South: 27 per cent

Dublin South Central: 33.35 per cent

Voter turnout in Kerry

A breakdown of voter turnout in Kerry as of 7pm is as follows -

Tralee: 32 per cent

Castleisland: 35.7 per cent

Dingle: 38 per cent

Killarney: 42 per cent

Killorglin: 37.5 per cent

Listowel: 24 per cent

Cahersiveen: 29.7 per cent

Kilgarvan: 31 per cent

Voter turnout in Donegal

Most recently in Donegal, the turnout is as follows -

Donegal: 38 per cent

Letterkenny: 35 per cent

Buncrana: 33 per cent

Stranorlar: 32 per cent

An Fal Carrach: 36 per cent

Voter turnout in Mayo

A breakdown of voter turnout in Mayo as of 7pm is as follows -

Castlebar Primary NS: 33 per cent

St. Anthony’s: 32 per cent

Scoil Padraig: 38 per cent

Swinford Cultural Centre: 30 per cent

Claremorris NS: 33 per cent

Foxford New School: 32 per cent

Sean Duffy Centre: 28 per cent

St Joseph’s NS: 32 per cent

Scoil Isoa: 29.5 per cent

Belmullet Civic Centre: 30 per cent

Newport NS: 33 per cent

Tiernar Hall: 27 per cent

Drumgallagh NS: 16 per cent

Roundfort: 31 per cent

Irishtown: 33 per cent

Tipperary family home used as polling station

While some constituencies are seeing a lower than average turnout, at the O’Donovan family home in Coolmoyne in Co Tipperary, voter turnout stands at over 40 per cent so far.

Seán O’Donovan said he expects that figure to exceed 50 per cent before 10pm when polling centres close across the country.

“In line with the rest of the country, we’d probably be pretty decent,” said Mr O’Donovan regarding voter turnout.

The home of the O’Donovan family has been used as a polling station for 18 years.

His daughter Aisling and his neighbour Monica act as polling staff.

About 250 people are eligible to vote at the house. After they cast their ballot, they are offered a cup of tea and a sweet treat with a choice of scones, apple tart or rhubarb tart.

Mr O’Donovan explained that a national school “just up the road” was the polling centre until it closed in 1967. After that, the building was sold and a couple bought it, who kept it as a polling centre.

After becoming a widower, the owner decided he was too old to continue running it.

The returning officer in the area at the time approached Mr O’Donovan about considering using his home as the polling centre.

“The reason I did was I’d be fairly community oriented, I didn’t like to see it going out of the area, it had been there for so long. We said we’d do one election and see how it worked out and we’re doing it since,” he said.

He described it as “a nice day, a very social day, its obviously done very professionally as well.”

“There is a social side to it, we do give some of the neighbours a cup of tea because you mightn’t be meeting them from one election to the other,” he added.

Voter turnout in Kildare

As of 5.30pm, the turnout in Kildare North is as follows -

Celbridge: 50 per cent Kildare South at 5.30 approx.

Clane: 28 per cent

Leixlip: 30 per cent

Kilcock: 33 per cent

Maynooth: 29 per cent

Kill: 28 per cent

Naas: 33 per cent

Sallins: 27 per cent

As of 5.30pm, the turnout in Kildare South is as follows -

Athy: 42 per cent

Kildare: 24 per cent

Rathangan: 25 per cent

Newbridge: 25 per cent

Voter turnout in Cork

A breakdown of voter turnout in Cork as of 5pm is as follows -

Cork SW: 24.7 per cent

Cork East: 23.6 per cent

Cork NW: 26.6 per cent

Cork County: 24.5 per cent

Cork SC: 28.4 per cent

Cork NC: 29.6 per cent

Cork City: 28.8 per cent

Voter turnout in Donegal

As of 5.15pm, a breakdown of voter turnout in Donegal:

Donegal: 25 per cent

Letterkenny: 24 per cent

Buncrana: 19 per cent

Stranorlar: 21 per cent

An Fal Carrach: 20 per cent

Voter turnout in Dublin City

As of 4.30pm, the turnout in Dublin City is as follows -

Dublin North West: 18.5 per cent

Dublin Bay North: 28.8 per cent

Dublin Central: 22.25 per cent

Dublin Bay South: 19.40 per cent

Dublin South Central: 21.25 per cent

Voter turnout in Longford/Westmeath

As of 5.30pm, the voter turnout for Longford/Westmeath is as follows -

Longford Rural: 22 per cent

Longford Urban: 17 per cent

Athlone Rural: 25 per cent

Athlone Urban: 21 per cent

Mullingar Rural: 25 per cent

Mullingar Urban: 23 per cent

Voter turnout in Wexford

As of 5pm, the overall voter turnout on Wexford is 23.01 per cent.

A breakdown is as follows -

St Aidan’s Primary School: 21 per cent

Scoil Mhuire: 22.8 per cent

Kennedy Park School: 22 per cent

Faythe School: 24.6 per cent

Barntown Community Centre: 22.6 per cent

Glynn NS: 21.6 per cent

New Ross youth centre: 23 per cent

St Marys Fethard: 20 per cent

Kilrane Community Centre: 28.5 per cent

Ballymurn Parish Hall: 24 per cent

Voter turnout in Carlow/Kilkenny

As of 5pm, Carlow/Kilkenny had an overall turnout of 22 per cent.

A breakdown of voter turnout in Carlow:

St Josephs NS: 18.07 per cent

Green Road NS: 31 per cent

St Laurence O’Tools: 20 per cent

Tullow Monastery: 21.3 per cent

Rathvilly NS: 14.5 per cent

Bennekerry NS: 23 per cent

Tinryland NS: 20 per cent

McGrath Memorial Hall: 23 per cent

Ballinabrana NS: 21 per cent

A breakdown of voter turnout in Kilkenny:

Callan Parish hall: 22.3 per cent

Gowran: 20.3 per cent

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal: 23.2 per cent

Scoil Iosagain: 22.24 per cent

Ferrybank Boys NS: 19.8 per cent

St John of God’s Girls NS: 23.2 per cent

St Johns Senior School: 23.2 per cent

Lake School: 25.7 per cent

Kilkenny Project: 24.2 per cent

Voter turnout in Waterford

Waterford City: 23 to 25 per cent

Dungarvan: 27 per cent

Tramore: 15 to 18 Tramore 15% to 18%

In the Gaeltacht areas -

An Rinn: 24 per cent (average)

Rural Dungarvan: 25.3 per cent

Voter turnout in Roscommon-Galway

A breakdown of voter turnout in Roscommon-Galway as of 5pm:

Roscommon Town: 23.7 per cent

Ballinasloe: 21.8 per cent

South Roscommon: 30.55 per cent

Boyle: 28 per cent

Castlerea: 23.7 per cent

Ballaghaderreen: 16.2 per cent

Voter turnout in Galway

In Galway West, the turnout at 4pm is as follows -

Clifden: 21 per cent

Spiddal: 26 per cent

Moycullen: 24 per cent

Oranmore: 20 per cent

Knocknacarra (City West): 25 per cent

Salthill (St Endas West): 29 per cent

Renmore (City East): 22 per cent

Carraroe: 19 per cent

Doughiska (City East): 16 per cent

Bushypark (City West): 25 per cent

Claregalway: 23 per cent

Ballybane (City East): 19 per cent

Westside (City West): 26 per cent

Aran Islands Cill Ronan: 26 per cent

In Galway East, the turnout at 4pm is as follows -

Gort: 19 per cent

Loughrea: 18 per cent

Tuam: 17 per cent

Athenry: 24 per cent

Kinvara: 25 per cent

Monivea: 19 per cent

Portumna: 23 per cent

Dunmore: 23 per cent

Voter turnout in Offaly

As of 4.30pm, voter turnout in Offaly is as follows -

Birr Urban: 20 per cent

Birr Rural: 16 per cent

Tullamore Urban: 30 per cent

Tullamore Rural: 21 per cent

Edenderry Urban: 23 per cent

Edenderry Rural: 20 per cent

Voter turnout in Kerry

As of 4pm, turnout in Kerry is as follows:

Tralee: 23 per cent

Listowel: 15.5 per cent

Kilgarvan: 19 per cent

Killarney: 29 per cent

Killorglin: 23 per cent

Dingle: 25.5 per cent

Castleisland: 22.7 per cent

Cahersiveen: 16 per cent

Voter turnout in Mayo

As of 4pm turnout in Mayo is as follows:

Castlebar Primary NS: 21.5 per cent

Scoil Rafteiri: 16 per cent

St Anthony’s: 21 per cent

Gaelscoil Ballina: 18 per cent

Scoil Padraig: 25 per cent

Swinford Cultural Centre: 20 per cent

Claremorris NS: 21 per cent

Foxford New School: 19 per cent

Sean Duffy Centre: 18 per cent

St Joseph’s NS: 19 per cent

Newport NS: 22 per cent

Scoil Isoa: 17.8 per cent

Achill NS: 27 per cent

Tiernar Hall: 17 per cent

Mulranny: 19 per cent

Drumgallagh NS: 8 per cent

Kilkelly NS: 18 per cent

Roundfort: 18 per cent

Ballindine: 24 per cent

Aughamore: 16 per cent

Irishtown: 18 per cent

Glencastle: 13 per cent

Brackloon: 20 per cent

Breaffy NS: 19 per cent

Turlough: 16 per cent

Parke: 21 per cent

Voter turnout in Kildare

A breakdown on voter turnout in Kildare North as of 3.30pm

Celbridge: 20 per cent

Clane: 20 per cent

Leixlip: 23 per cent

Kilcock: 23 per cent

Maynooth: 22 per cent

Kill: 20 per cent

Naas: 23 per cent

Sallins: 20 per cent

A breakdown on voter turnout in Kildare South as of 3.30pm

Athy: 18 per cent

Kildare: 17 per cent

Rathangan: 18 per cent

Newbridge: 19 per cent

Voter turnout in Meath

As of 3:30pm, the turnout in Meath ranged from 13.5 per cent in Meath West to 18.07 per cent in Meath East.

Voter turnout in Limerick

Below is the voter turnout for Limerick as of 4pm.

JFK: 24.5 per cent

Caherdavin: 23 per cent

St Brigid’s: 17.4 per cent

Monaleen: 19 per cent

Our Lady of Lourdes: 21 per cent

Adare: 22 per cent

Newcastle West: 16 per cent and 14 per cent (two schools)

Rathkeale: 11 per cent

Votes cast on Mayo islands

Votes were cast on Inishturk, Inishbiggle and Clare Island today, Áine Ryan reports:

The 14km voyage from Roonagh harbour to the Co Mayo island of Inishturk may have been a bit bumpy and lumpy early on Friday morning for Garda Niall O’Malley of Louisburgh station but there was the usual warm welcome and cup of tea awaiting him after landing.

Its polling station in St Columba’s NS opened at 9am to facilitate the 54 registered electors.

Island resident Joe Whelan’s mind was made up back in July.

“I fondly remember Catherine Connolly’s visit here a few years back for the AGM of Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann. She came in her capacity as chair of Coiste na Gaeilge, I spoke with her briefly about the state and future of our islands. She is very genuine and empathetic, and she came, not to speak, but to listen and she is acutely aware of the challenges we face. As president, I feel the islands will have a voice in the Áras with her,” Whelan said.

On the other hand, islander Paddy O’Toole believes the electoral system urgently needs “to be reviewed and updated”.

“We’ve watched the debates and followed the news. We knew the ballot papers would still include Jim Gavin but it’s a shame they do. It can affect the outcome and that isn’t fair.”

At lunchtime on the inshore island of Inishbiggle, octogenarian Jeremy Holt was the first of the 16 registered electors to cast his vote.

Earlier, Garda Michael Kelly of Westport station and presiding officer Sarah Cafferkey had travelled to the island from Bullsmouth Harbour on Achill in a coast guard rib, after windy conditions led to the usual transport, a currach, being stood down for the 15-minute voyage.

At least this garda will not have to put on waders and walk back to the mainland via a channel at low tide as Garda Peadar Howley was forced to do after the divorce referendum in 1995. This was due to the fact there wasn’t a registered service on the island and he could not break the law.

Speaking to The Irish Times after he cast his vote, Jeremy Holt said: “I am a card-carrying member of the Labour Party and so you can guess who I voted for. My vote is a protest vote and a plea for a fundamental change to the usual suspects governing.”

Asked if Catherine Connolly was to visit the Gaeltacht island in her role as Uachtarán na hÉireann, what would he highlight?

“Well, first of all I’d suggest for her to bring her own flask as we do not have a reliable water supply on the island. I’d also bring the broken lights on our helipad to her attention. We are an elderly population, the youngest residents are in their late 50s, and the safe landing of a helicopter is urgently needed,” Holt said.

Back down the Co Mayo coastline, the presiding officer on Clare Island, Pádraic O’Malley had a busy morning with an early visit from members of the Electoral Commission.

O’Malley explains that of the 121 registered electors on Clare Island, about 30 now live on the mainland.

“As was pointed out by the commission this morning, it has never been easier to register your vote, and, indeed, change it so easily digitally. For the sake of democracy, our young voters need to embrace this and even temporarily change their vote to wherever they are based,” he said.

At 3pm, 22 per cent of the eligible people had voted on Clare Island.

Among them is first-time voter Rachel Gallagher who took the lunchtime ferry home to vote.

“I am a Leaving Cert student at Sancta Maria College in Louisburgh and this will be my first time voting and I am so excited. Out of the two candidates running, I am definitely in favour of Catherine Connolly and I am voting for her. I believe that she is the best candidate to represent Ireland and our peripheral communities,” Rachel said.

Family home used as polling station in Tipperary

The home of the O’Donovan family in Coolmoyne, Co Tipperary, is being used as a polling station today.

About 250 people are eligible to vote at the house. After they cast their ballot, they will be offered a cup of tea and a sweet treat - which should be an option at all polling stations, in my opinion.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland earlier, returning officer for Co Tipperary James Seymour explained that when Coolmoyne National School closed in 1967, the new owners allowed the house to be used as a polling station.

However, when the house was sold again in 2007, the community was once more without a polling station.

“There was no public building available in that area for the nearly 250 voters, so a local man, Seán O’Donovan, kindly offered us the use of his house, and we’ve been using his house for the last 18 years,” Mr Seymour said.

Taoiseach votes in Cork

Micheál Martin voted with his wife Mary in Cork earlier today.

Mr Martin previously said he would be voting for Heather Humphreys, after Fianna Fáil’s candidate Jim Gavin ended his campaign when it emerged he owed a previous tenant €3,300.

When polling day and Halloween collide

Lake Costello is surely a frontrunner for best costume at a polling station.

Voter turnout in Dublin

Below is the voter turnout in Dublin, as of 12.30pm:

• Dublin North West: 8.65 per cent
• Dublin Bay North: 13.21 per cent
• Dublin Central: 8.75 per cent
• Dublin Bay South: 10.5 per cent
• Dublin South Central: 10.46 per cent

Three generations voting

Three generations of the same family voted at Carysfort National School in Blackrock, South Dublin: Helen O’Brien, her mother Agnes O’Mahony (94), and her daughter Juliet O’Brien (19) who was voting for the first time.

Turnout in Limerick

As of lunchtime, turnout in Limerick ranged from 5.2 per cent in Corpus Christi Primary School in Moyross to 13.5 per cent in JFK Memorial School.

Turnout in Waterford

Turnout in Waterford at lunchtime ranged from 10.4 per cent in East Waterford to 15 per cent in Tramore Rural.

Turnout in Kerry

As of 12.45pm, the turnout in Kerry was as follows:

• Tralee: 10.6 per cent
• Listowel: 8.8 per cent
• Kilgarvan: 10 per cent
• Killarney: 16.5 per cent
• Killorglin: 12.68 per cent
• Dingle: 13.9 per cent
• Castleisland: 14.6 per cent
• Cahersiveen: 8 per cent

Turnout in Meath and Offaly

As of 12.30pm, turnout in Offaly ranged from 8 per cent to 10.2 per cent.

As of 1pm, the turnout in Meath East was 9.84 per cent and it was 10.34 per cent in Meath West.

Turnout in Roscommon-Galway

The turnout in Roscommon-Galway at 12pm was as follows:

• Roscommon Town: 9.5 per cent
• Ballinasloe: 9.6 per cent
• Castlerea: 8.7 per cent
• South Roscommon: 10.75 per cent
• North Roscommon: 11.5 per cent
• Ballaghaderreen: 6.6 per cent

Voter turnout in Carlow/Kilkenny and Wexford

Overall turnout in Carlow/Kilkenny was 8.51 per cent, as of midday.

Overall turnout in Wexford was 8.92 per cent, as of midday.

A breakdown of voter turnout in Carlow:

• St Josephs NS, Carlow town, 7 booths: 6.8 per cent
• Green Road NS, Carlow town, 4 booths: 5.7 per cent
• St Laurence O’Toole’s, Carlow Town, 13 Booths: 8.1 per cent
• Tullow Monastery, Tullow - 7 booths: 10.09 per cent
• Rathvilly NS, Tullow - 3 booths: 4.91 per cent
• Bennekerry NS, Bennekerry: 2 booths: 6.9 per cent
• Tinryland NS, Muinebeag: 5 booths: 7.9 per cent
• McGrath Memorial Hall, Muinebeag, 7 booths: 10 per cent

A breakdown of voter turnout in Kilkenny:

• Callan Parish Hall, Callan/Thomastown, 5 booths: 9.9 per cent
• Scoil Iosagain, Castlecomer, 3 booths: 9.6 per cent
• Ferrybank Boys NS, Piltown, 5 booths: 7.6 per cent
• St John of God’s Girls NS, Kilkenny city, 6 booths: 8.9 per cent
• St John’s Senior School, Kilkenny city, 8 booths: 11.8 per cent
• Lake School, Michael Street, Kilkenny, 5 booths: 10 per cent
• Kilkenny Project, 4 Booths: 9.5 per cent

A breakdown of voter turnout in Wexford:

• St Aidan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy, 12 polling booths: 8 per cent
• Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts, Wexford town, 8 polling booths: 9.2 per cent
• Kennedy Park School, Wexford town, 7 polling booths: 8.6 per cent
• Faythe School, Wexford town, 5 polling station: 10.6 per cent
• Barntown Community Centre, Wexford town: 4 polling stations: 7.58 per cent
• New Ross youth centre, 10 polling booths: 5 per cent
• Ballymurn Parish Hall, Kilmuckridge - 3 polling stations: 9 per cent

Mary Lou McDonald votes

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald cast her vote in Cabra, North Dublin, earlier today.

Connolly votes in Galway

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly cast her vote in Claddagh NS in Galway city, alongside her son Stephen.

Tánaiste casts his vote

Tánaiste Simon Harris cast his vote with his son Cillian in Delgany National School, Co Wicklow.

Turnout in Galway

As of noon, turnout in Galway ranged from 7 per cent in Doughiska (Galway West) to 14 per cent in both Cill Rónáin on the Aran Islands (Galway West) and Salthill (St Enda’s West, Galway West).

The highest turnout in Galway East so far today has been in Kinvara (13 per cent).

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Turnout in Mayo

As of midday, turnout in Mayo ranged from 4 per cent in Drumgallagh National School to 12 per cent in Mulranny.

Turnout was at 10 per cent in each of St Anthony’s in Castlebar, St Joseph’s NS in Ballinrobe and Kilkelly NS.

President Higgins casts his vote

President Michael D Higgins has cast his vote in the election, alongside his wife Sabina Higgins, at St Mary’s Hospital in Dublin.

Voter turnout in Meath and Westmeath

As of 11.45am, voter turnout in Meath was as follows:

• Meath East: 7.4 per cent
• Meath West: 4.95 per cent

The average turnout across Westmeath is around 3 per cent.

Voter turnout in Galway

Voter turnout across Galway ranged from 3-6 per cent, as of 9.30am.

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly is, of course, a TD for Galway West, where she will no doubt hope turnout picks up.

Voter turnout in Waterford

As of 10.30am, the turnout was 7 per cent in Waterford city; 8 per cent in Tramore; and 5-6 per cent in the Dungarvan area.

Voter turnout in Kerry

Here is the voter turnout in Kerry, as of 10.30am:

• Tralee: 5.2 per cent
• Listowel: 4 per cent
• Kilgarvan: 6.3 per cent
• Killarney: 8 per cent
• Killorglin: 4.87 per cent
• Dingle: 7 per cent
• Castleisland: 4.2 per cent

Voter turnout in Wexford

Amid concerns about a possible historic low turnout, early indications based on previous voter behaviour in Wexford are negative, Marie O’Halloran reports.

Turnout was under 8 per cent in Gorey polling stations at 10.30am. It was “quite a bit down on usual election or referenda polls at this time”, according to observers.

Where will Jim Gavin’s transfers go?

Jim Gavin’s votes and transfers will be counted as usual. The Fianna Fáil candidate ended his campaign earlier this month but remains on the ballot paper.

Art O’Leary, chief executive of the Electoral Commission, explains what will happen when the votes are counted tomorrow:

“In a three-candidate race, there are only two possible outcomes on the first count: either one candidate reaches the quota (50 per cent of votes cast plus one) and is elected, or the lowest-polling candidate is eliminated and their second preferences are distributed.

“After that, whichever of the remaining two has the higher total is deemed elected, whether or not they reach the quota. So as long as you use your second (or third) preference, your vote stays active until the count concludes.”

Getting into the Halloween spirit

Two Dublin brothers, Theo and Toby Egan, dressed as the presidential candidates Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys on their school’s pre-Halloween fancy dress day. They sourced their outfits from charity shops.

Irish overseas on the presidential election

As voters across the State head to the polls on Friday to choose their next president, there is a large constituency who won’t be able to vote, Irish citizens living abroad, Genevieve Carbery writes.

A referendum, which would have extended the right in time for this presidential election to Irish citizens living outside the Republic, was in early planning for October 2019. However, it was shelved due to Brexit and the pandemic.

We asked readers outside the State for their views on being excluded. Many felt deprived of a say in their “home” and noted how “out of step” the State was with norms across the world.

A cold and damp morning

It is a cold and damp morning in many areas as voters head out to polling stations for the presidential election.

Showers are forecast across many parts of the country but sunny spells will break through, Met Éireann says.

Who will be Ireland’s ‘first gentleman’?

Ellen Coyne and Andrew Hamilton take a look at the men behind the women running for the Áras.

Both Eric Humphreys and Brian McEnery are media-shy but strongly supportive of their wives’ careers.

Humphreys votes in Monaghan

Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys has cast her vote in Monaghan, alongside her daughter Eva and granddaughter Charlotte.

Three names on the ballot

There are three names on the ballot paper today: Catherine Connolly, Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys.

People can still vote for Mr Gavin – who withdrew from the race earlier this month after it emerged he owed a previous tenant €3,300 – and his transfers will be distributed to the other candidates.

The Irish Times view on voting: cherish this simple civic duty

“Ireland consistently ranks among the world’s most democratic nations.

“That makes it all the more important that those who live here exercise their franchise in Friday’s presidential election.

“This is true even for those who are underwhelmed by the choice before them. Polls suggest a large number of voters are dissatisfied with the limited field of candidates.

“Yet opting out of the process, or deliberately spoiling a ballot, is not the best way to express that discontent ...

“Those who can vote on Friday should make the effort. It is a simple civic duty, called upon only occasionally.

“For many, this will be the last opportunity to participate in a national election for several years. In a world where democracy is faltering, the act of voting is not only a right but something to be cherished.”

Read the full Irish Times view on voting here.

Presidential election explained

Have any burning questions ahead of voting today? We’ve got you covered.

Here is everything you need to know about the candidates, how to vote, and the powers of the president.

Campaign to spoil votes

Asked about the campaign to spoil votes, Mr O’Leary said a person “can choose to spoil their vote ... All we say in response is that one of these candidates will be elected president, and if you want your voice to be heard, then you should vote for a candidate.”

He is also concerned about people unintentionally spoiling their vote. Voters sometimes list their preferences and then add something like “Up the Dubs” or “Mayo for Sam”, which a returning officer could consider a spoiled vote, he said.

There is growing concern about turnout because of the reduced number of candidates and controversy over Fianna Fáil nominee Jim Gavin’s withdrawal over money owed to a former tenant.

Concerns over low turnout

An Coimisiún Toghcháin is hoping turnout in the presidential election will match the 44 per cent seen in 2018 when President Michael D Higgins was re-elected, Marie O’Halloran reports.

Art O’Leary, the chief executive of the electoral commission since it was established in 2023, said the body does not have a target.

“I would hope, rather than saying it’s a target, that it would be no less than the presidential election turnout the last time,” he said.

Mr O’Leary appealed to voters to exercise their franchise.

“Their vote is their voice and if they don’t vote, then they allow somebody else to speak for them,” he said. “You wouldn’t ever allow that to happen in any other part of your life.”

‘Don’t mind those polls’

Ms Humphreys struck a defiant note while canvassing in Sligo and Donegal on Thursday.

Speaking to supporters, she said: “It is so important we get that vote out tomorrow. Because I don’t believe one bit in those polls, don’t mind those polls. Tomorrow is the poll.”

Speaking at an event in Donegal, Fine Gael leader and Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “The polls said Michael D Higgins was never going to be president – he won the election, he won twice and he did a very good job.”

Final day of campaigning

The final day of campaigning saw another opinion poll, this time from the Irish Independent/Ireland Thinks, which suggested Ms Connolly continues to hold a commanding lead.

Excluding undecided voters, the poll predicted a first-count win for Ms Connolly, with 56 per cent of the vote.

Speaking about the strong opinion poll performance on Thursday, Ms Connolly said: “It’s wonderful for my team but we take absolutely nothing for granted.”

She told reporters at St Anne’s National School in Co Roscommon: “I would appeal to everyone to come out and vote. To be president of Ireland is an absolute privilege and I leave that to the people of Ireland.”

Connolly the favourite in the polls

After a fractious and unpredictable presidential election campaign, Independent candidate Catherine Connolly is now the overwhelming favourite to become the country’s 10th president.

There are widespread fears of a historically low turnout, even lower than the 44 per cent at the last election.

Both Ms Connolly and the Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys on Thursday urged people to exercise their right to vote, Pat Leahy and Sorcha Crowley report.

Counting of votes will begin at 9am on Saturday at count centres across the country, with the nationwide results aggregated later at the national centre in Dublin Castle. A result is expected tomorrow afternoon.

Polling day

Good morning and happy polling day!

Voting in the presidential election began at 7am, with the polls remaining open until 10pm.

About 3.6 million people are eligible to vote in more than 5,500 polling stations across the country.