Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Electoral officer Hugh O' Donnell, left, and Garda Brendan McCann deliver the Lisbon referendum ballot box on Inishfree Island in 2009. Associated Press
Early birds

Voting's all done and dusted - if you live on one of these 12 islands

Islanders cast their votes a day before people on the mainland.

Updated 11.15pm

POLLS WILL OPEN across most of the country tomorrow, but voting has already finished if you live off the west and northwest coasts.

Eligible voters on 12 Donegal, Mayo and Galway islands – 2,133 in total – were able to cast their ballots from 7am this morning.

The electorate included 516 people on Arranmore, 25 on Gola, 63 on Inishbofin (Donegal), four on Inishfree, 144 on Tory Island, 121 on Clare Island, 29 on Inishbiggle, 50 on Inishturk, 654 on Inishmore, 151 on Inishmaan, 200 on Inisheer and 176 on Inishbofin (Galway).

Island residents traditionally vote ahead of the rest of the country to prevent bad weather delaying ballot boxes being transferred to count centres.

Air Corps helicopters picked up the full boxes this evening and ferried them to the mainland after voting concluded at 10pm.

Some 450 people on islands off Cork – including Bere, Clear and Sherkin – will vote tomorrow when the polls open nationwide.

Counting for the elections begins on Saturday, with the process expected to continue into Monday.

First published 06.00am

Read: Housing crisis and hot meals: Cork still feeling the crisis

Read: FactCheck: The truth and the lies from the final Leaders’ Debate

Your Voice
Readers Comments
31
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.