Election live blog: final seats filled in the General Election, counting concluded.
REPORTING: SIOBHÁN CRONIN, MARTIN CLAFFEY, JACKIE KEOGH AND KIERAN O'MAHONY in Mallow GAA Complex AND OLIVIA KELLEHER in Nemo Rangers
HOW THINGS STAND:
Cork South West: Michael Collins (II), Holly Cairns (SD) and Christoper O’Sullivan (FF).
Cork North West: Aindrias Moynihan (FF), John Paul (FG) and Michael Moynihan (FF).
Cork South Central: Micheál Martin (FF), Seamus McGrath (FF), Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (SF), Jerry Buttimer (FG) and Pádraig Rice (SD).
See how each candidate fared in your local polling station
Check back here on a regular basis for the latest from the General Election as it happens. Have a story? Email [email protected]
Refresh the page for the latest update.
SUNDAY 9.43pm NEMO - Cork South Central Count 18 RESULTS:
Social Democrat Padraig Rice and Jerry Buttimer (FG) have taken the final two seats in Cork South Central. That's all from us, folks!
Below: The Returning Officer provided a very handy full set of results at the end of the count.
SUNDAY 8.30pm NEMO - Cork South Central Count 17 RESULTS:
Fine Gael Cllr Shane O'Callaghan has been eliminated after the 17th count. His votes will now be distrubuted amongst the remaining three candidates vying for two seats.
SUNDAY 7.44pm NEMO - Cork South Central Count 16 RESULTS:
Sinn Féin's Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has taken the third seat after the 16th count.
SUNDAY 5.40pm NEMO - Cork South Central Count 15 RESULTS:
The next count will be the distribution of excluded candidate Laura Harmon (Lab)'s votes.
SUNDAY 5.20pm NEMO - Cork South Central Count 14 RESULTS:
Still no conclusive result after Count 14 so we are heading into Count 15 now which is the distribution of Sinn Féin Cowhey Shahid's 3,214 votes.
SUNDAY 5pm NEMO - Cork South Central Count 13 RESULTS:
Nobody elected on Count 13 so Daly (Aontú) will now be excluded and their votes distributed.
SUNDAY 3:48pm NEMO Cork South Central – Counts 11 and 12 RESULTS:
Sunday 2.40pm NEMO Cork South Central:
Cllr Seamus McGrath (FF) and his brother EU Commissioner Michael McGrath (FF) celebrate with their mum and other family members after Seamus' election to Dáil Éireann on his first attempt, at the Cork South Central count at Nemo Rangers in Cork city.
Seamus and Michael McGrath and family at Nemo Rangers.
SUNDAY 2.12pm Cork North West:
Aontu’ s Cork North West candidate Becky Kealy has said she is incredibly proud of the vote she achieved in the constituency, which ultimately did not prove successful for the party, calling it a 'massive battle but one I conducted with my head held high'.
'I want to thank the people of Cork North West who believed in me and stayed with me. They know me to be a woman of determination, character and integrity and know that I would have worked my socks off for them.'
She added: 'I am passionate about my country and its people and believe they have been badly served by successive governments. I am a democrat and I accept the will of the people but I will be watching to see if the promises made by my fellow candidates across this area who were elected will come good on the promises they made and if not , I will hold them to account ,make no mistake about that.'
SUNDAY 1.42pm NEMO - CSC - Count 10 - RESULTS:
SUNDAY 12.25pm NEMO - CSC - Count 9 - RESULTS:
SUNDAY 11.50am NEMO - CSC - Count 8 - RESULTS:
SUNDAY 10:50am NEMO - CSC - Count 7 - RESULTS:
SUNDAY 10:40am NEMO - CSC - Count 6 - RESULTS:
SUNDAY 4:45am MALLOW - CHRISTOPHER O'SULLIVAN DEEMED ELECTED TO FINAL SEAT IN CORK SOUTH WEST:
SUNDAY 4:42am MALLOW – FINAL COUNT CORK SOUTH WEST
Outgoing TD Christopher O'Sullivan takes the third and final seat, thus ending the count for Cork South West.
SUNDAY 3:56am MALLOW – CNW:
Reporter Kieran O'Mahony spoke to poll topper in Cork North West, Fianna Fáil's Aindrias Moynihan at the count in Mallow in the small hours.
SUNDAY 3:43am MALLOW – CSW - 10TH COUNT RESULTS
Holly Cairns, on reaching the quota, was deemed elected to the second seat in Cork South West. The counters are now distributing Sen Tim Lombard's eliminated votes, which should be the final count in Cork South West.
SUNDAY 3:16am MALLOW - CNW – Count concluded.
Third time lucky for Fine Gael's John Paul O'Shea as he is elected to the Dáil for Cork North West alongside FF duo Aindrias Moynihan and Michael Moynihan.
SUNDAY 3am MALLOW – CSW Count No 9 - RESULTS:
John Paul O’Shea (Fine Gael) celebrates his election at the Cork North-West count at the Mallow GAA complex. Photo: Martin Walsh.
Aindrias Moynihan (left) and Michael Moynihan (Fianna Fáil) celebrate their election in the small wee hours of Sunday morning at the Cork North West count at the Mallow GAA complex. (Photo: Martin Walsh)
SUNDAY 2:52am MALLOW – CNW Count No 6 - RESULTS:
Aindrias Moynihan (FF), John Paul O'Shea (FG), and Michael Moynihan (FF) elected in Cork North West on the sixth count. This concludes the count in Cork North West.
SUNDAY 2:48AM MALLOW:
Thanks to Aileen Browne from Charleville for so kindly offering us all chocolate treats as we await more results!
SUNDAY 1:53am Mallow CSW – Count No 8 - RESULTS:
SUNDAY 1:32am Mallow CNW - Count No 5 - RESULTS:
SUNDAY 1:10am Mallow:
Paddy and Yvonne Ryan from Clonakilty at the count centre in the Mallow GAA complex. (Photo: Martin Walsh)SUNDAY 1:07am Mallow:
It's the early hours but John Paul O'Shea's supporters are still hanging in, waiting for news of the latest count in Cork North West ...
Cork North West election candidate John Paul O’Shea (centre) at the count centre in the Mallow GAA complex with (left to right): Mary O’Riordan, Boherbue, Philomena Walsh, Boherbue, PJ Walsh, Boherbue, Mary Walsh, Rockchapel, Sheila Crowley, Kevin O’Sullivan, Meelin and Tim Ford, Laharran. (Photo: Martin Walsh)SUNDAY 1:03am Mallow CSW Count No 7 - RESULTS:
SUNDAY 12:47am Mallow CSW:
Michael Collins, the leader of Independent Ireland, believes he and other members of his party will be in with a shout of having a voice in the next government.
SUNDAY 12:38am Mallow CSW:
Sen Tim Lombard (FG), who has conceded defeat, tells reporter Jackie Keogh that he is going to 'take stock' after 20 years in politics before deciding on his next steps ....
SUNDAY 12:27am Mallow CSW Count No 6 - RESULTS:
Still nobody elected after count No 6 but the next one may tell a tale ... stick with us for another while!
SUNDAY 12:15am Mallow CNW Count No 4 - RESULTS:
SATURDAY 11:57pm Mallow (CSW) Count No 5 - RESULTS:
Saturday 11:55pm Nemo:
The counts in Nemo Rangers club have been adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9am.
SATURDAY 11:51pm Mallow:
It’s that hour of the evening wheee we’re playing Count the Sliotars in the roof nets of the Mallow GAA complex roof.
SATURDAY 11.21pm Mallow:
The 369 votes of Zoe Laplaud (PBP) were distributed in the fourth count in Cork South West. The returning officer has asked to speak to the remaining candidates in all three constituencies being counted here (CSW, CNW and CE) to discuss 'progress.' We might be having an early 😆 night.
SATURDAY 11:20pm Mallow CSW – County No 4
Still nobody elected after the fourth count:
SATURDAY 11:15pm Nemo CSC – Count No 4
SATURDAY 10:52pm Mallow CNW - Count No 3 - RESULTS:
SATURDAY 10:29pm Mallow CSW - Count No 3 - RESULTS:
SATURDAY 10:20pm Nemo CSC - Count No 2 - RESULTS
SATURDAY 10pm Mallow CNW Count No 2 - RESULTS
SATURDAY 9:50pm Mallow - CSW Count No 2 - RESULTS
SATURDAY 9:15pm Mallow - CSW:
It wasn't a case of third time lucky for Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) in this third general election bid in Cork South West, but he said he is content to go back and serve his constituents on Cork County Council. He said he knows the ropes, having served on the local authority for the last 33 years.
SATURDAY 9.05pm Mallow CSW Count No1 - RESULT:
Nobody has reached the quota yet so O'Driscoll and O'Leary have been eliminated and their votes will now be distributed.
SATURDAY 9PM Mallow CNW:
Results of first count in Cork North West –
SATURDAY 9pm Mallow:
Ken O’Flynn is well placed to become Michael Collins’ Independent Ireland’s first city TD as he is in the hunt in Cork South Central. He spoke to the Southern Star this evening:
SATURDAY 7.30pm Nemo:
CORK SOUTH CENTRAL
COUNT NO 1
Tanaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has been elected on the first count in Cork South Central. Mr Martin exceeded the quota by more than 4000 votes.
Electorate 105,076
Turnout 63,127
Spoiled 423 0.7%
Total Valid Poll 62,704
MARTIN, Micheál FF 14,526*
McGRATH, Séamus FF 7,794
Ó LAOGHAIRE, Donnchadh SF 6,947
RICE, Pádraig SD 5,368
BUTTIMER, Jerry FG 4,407
O'CALLAGHAN, Shane FG 3,664
FINN, Mick IND 3,582
HARMON, Laura LAB 3,005
COWHEY SHAHID, Michelle SF 2,714
DALY, Anna AON 2,273
OIKEH, Monica GP 2,156
McCARTHY, Úna FG 2,078
LAIRD, Shane Patrick PBP-SOL 876
NEVILLE, Ted NP 858
KENNEALLY, Margaret FF 726
DINEEN, Paudie IND 543
BOGUE, Lorna RAB 425
HOULIHAN, Veronica II 348
DE BARRA, Graham IND 217
WARD, Valerie II 104
O'LEARY, John IND 58
FIELD, Tony IND 35
*The next count will involve the distribution of 4,075 surplus votes from Micheal Martin.
Saturday 7.15pm Mallow (CSW):
Nothing is official, but tallypeople are saying that Cllr Noel O’Donovan (FG) would require 80% of transfers from his running mate Senator Tim Lombard (FG) to catch up with Fianna Fáil's Christopher O'Sullivan, who is currently in third place.
As stated previously, Noel O’Donovan has a vote of 5,979 or 13.1% and Tim Lombard has 4,459, which is 9.8% of the vote. That’s 23% of the vote, which theoretically could have secured a seat for Fine Gael, but it seems impossible now because the vote is split.
A feature of this election, and the last one too, is that transfers are going everywhere. And, again the tallypeople are saying that approximately 60% of Noel O’Donovan’s transfers are going to Tim Lombard – a figure that won’t cut the mustard.
The significance of a second consecutive Fine Gael defeat – Tim Lombard having lost to Holly Cairns in 2020 – plus a single historic defeat in 1957, has been described as ‘devastating’ by one party stalwart.
Before the three-week election campaign was launched there was a lot of talk of running a single candidate. Consideration had to be given to Tim Lombard who had secured a seat on the agricultural panel in the Seanad in 2016 was a sitting Oireachtas member and deserved consideration.
Cllr O’Donovan was elected to Cork County Council in June of this year, having previously been co-opted to replace Jim Daly and elected once before resigning to join the gardaí.
Noel O’Donovan’s first preference vote was impressive so the party was hopeful that he would be the one to regain the historic Fine Gael seat.
Now, Fine Gael sources are saying they will have to reassess what they can do to improve the party’s fortunes in Cork South West, the spiritual home of the legendary Michael Collins.
As part of that reassessment, Tim Lombard could, once again, seek a seat on the agricultural panel but with 11 nominees open to the new Taoiseach, Noel might be well placed for an elevation and become an Oireachtas member. And, with one strand of speculation easily leading to another, Noel O’Donovan’s elevation would leave room for former Cllr Brendan McCarthy – Noel’s running mate in the local elections in June – to be co-opted in his place.
Saturday 6:25pm Mallow (CSW):
The first count is ongoing in Mallow. Independent Ireland leader, Michael Collins, is likely to top the poll but he won’t be elected on the first count.
It might be the second count before his vote, which currently is 10,720 according to the tallypeople, meets the 11,000-plus threshold. The decision of the expert tallypeople to pool their predictions has, once again, given people a good indication of the outcome. It’s a bit like having electronic voting, except for the fact that the traditional method of counting each vote will be observed, meaning it will be late into the night before we have a definitive result.
Only a handful of tallypeople came to Mallow. That has made it totally different in atmosphere to the count in Clonakilty. There are no heaving masses, or body heat, leaving the hall a little draughty. The tallypeople do, however, believe that the speed of the sorting of the votes is fast, as, ultimately, will be the counts. It means each of the three winning candidates will have to wait several counts before they can call it a day.
Saturday 6:22pm Mallow (CSW):
Gracious in defeat, Cllr Noel O'Donovan (FG) thanked all of his supporters for his 5,979 first preference vote, according to the tally figures. And there is talk, throughout the hall, that he may be considered for a Seanad seat.
Saturday 6pm: Mallow:
We are still anxiously awaiting the results of a first count from either Cork South West or Cork North West - should be some news within the hour.
Saturday 5:50pm Mallow:
With lots of stress from sketchy wifi, reporter Jackie Keogh says - 'The answer to any IT tantrum is tea and sympathy. Madeline McKeever, Holly Cairn's mum, provided both, but it was only after that the small print was noticed!'
Saturday 5.43pm (CSW)
Christopher O'Sullivan says it's not over til it's over: (Video: Martin Claffey)
Saturday 5:22pm Nemo (CSC):
Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said that there is a a 'clear route back to Government' for his party.
'Although (the route) is not fully determined. It is a bit too early yet to call the exact type of government that will be formed, the composition of the next government. But I think there will be a sufficiency of seats that aligns with the core principles that I articulated at the outset of this campaign around the pro enterprise economy, around positive pro European Union position and a Government that will strongly push for home ownership. And around parties that are transparently democratic in how they conduct their affairs.'
Mr Martin said that it remains to be seen whether the next Government can be formed by Christmas.
Saturday 4:52pm Mallow (CSW):
Chris Heinhold, who narrowly missed out on a seat for the Social Democrats, in the Bantry Electoral Area in June, was gracious in defeat, pointing to his button badge which said 'More Mná.' Today, at the count centre, in Mallow, he is proudly wearing the same logo on a bright orange sweatshirt.
Chris Heinhold in his More Mná jumper.
Saturday 4:50pm Mallow (CSW):
Saturday 4:30pm Mallow:
We spoke to Nicole Ryan who is running for Sinn Féin in Cork North West. As a first time candidate she said her election campaign ran well and that is reflected in the tallies, where she looks like having got about 5,487 first preference votes. (Video: Kieran O'Mahony)
Saturday 4:04pm Mallow:
Conor Murphy, a campaigner for Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns, gives a breakdown of what is happening in the first count in Cork South West. (Video: Jackie Keogh)
Saturday 3:29pm:
It’s official: the turnout for Cork South West was 63.5%; the turnout for Cork North West was 64%.
Saturday 3.35pm NEMO (CSC):
Cork South Central — Final Tally:
Micheal Martin (FF) — 23.2% (14,067 )
Seamus McGrath (FF) 12.4% (7504)
Donnchadh O’Laoghaire (SF) 11.1% (6,740)
Padraig Rice (SD) 8.6% (5242)
Jerry Buttimer (FG) 7% (4260)
Shane O’Callaghan (FG) 5.9% (3553)
Mick Finn (Independent) 5.8% (3498)
Laura Harmon (Lab) 4.8% (2903)
Michelle Cowhey Shahid (SF) (4.2%) (2574)
Anna Daly (Aontu) 3.6% (2208)
Saturday 3pm MALLOW:
The husband and campaign manager of Social Democrats Cllr Padraig Rice, who looks set to win a seat in Cork South Central in his first ever General Election has said that their campaign was hugely helped by the presence of young and enthusiastic canvassers, writes Olivia Kelleher.
Speaking at the count centre at Nemo Rangers Hurling and Football Club in Cork, Aaron O’Sullivan said that they had a feeling that their canvassing was going well. 'The campaign has been great. We have had people join who are new to canvassing. Particularly a lot of young people. In recent weeks a lot of young women have hopped on board,' he said.
We had four different women who were out on maternity leave. It was really resonating with people. Young mothers out campaigning for the future of their children and they felt really passionate about that.We tried to listen to people as best we could and we tried to engage with people. People are facing huge challenges at the moment and I think people just want to be heard. I think they appreciated being listened to. No two doors are the same but obviously there are a lot of common challenges out there.'
In Cork South Central, with 116 boxes opened and tallied (75.8%), it's looking like Micheal Martin (FF) 23.7%; Donnchadh O'Laoghaire (SF) 11.7%; Padraig Rice (SD) 9.2%; Seamus McGrath (FF) 9.1%; Jerry Buttimer (FG) 7.6%; Mick Finn (Independent) 6.7%; Shane O'Callaghan (FG) 6.3% and Laura Harmon (Lab) 5%.
Saturday 1:40pm MALLOW:
It's lunchtime here in Mallow so the counters are having some sustenance upstairs. We'll be back in action shortly.
All quiet in Mallow as the counters take lunch.
Saturday 13.34pm MALLOW:
All of the boxes have been opened and it is looking in Cork South West as if it is a case of: ‘as you were.’
Michael Collins, the leader of Independent Ireland, is reported to be on a vote of 10,720, and in the lead with 23.5% of the vote.
In second place, at this stage of the tally, is Holly Cairns, the leader of the Social Democrats, with a vote of 9,139 at 20% of the vote. Fianna Fáil’s Christopher O’Sullivan is currently in third with 8,739 votes and 19.2%, but none of these figures have been declared as part of an official count. And transfers will also change their final vote.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael candidates Cllr Noel O’Donovan and Senator Tim Lombard have an estimated 23% of the vote between them, but even with transfers are not expected to catch Christopher O'Sullivan.
According to tally figures Noel O’Donovan has a vote of 5,979 or 13.1% and Tim Lombard has 4,459, which is 9.8% of the vote. And with transfers going everywhere - which is a feature of this election - it may be impossible to make up the difference needed to take the third seat from Fianna Fáil.
Saturday 12:43am Nemo (CSC):
With just under half of the boxes opened in Cork South Central, tallies show Micheal Martin (FF) — 23.7%; Donnchadh O’Laoghaire (SF) 11.8%; Seamus McGrath (FF) 10.9%; Padraig Rice (SD) 8.5%; Jerry Buttimer (FG) 8.0% and Mick Finn (Independent) 6%.
The strong showing of first time General Election candidate Padraig Rice (SD) is the talking point at the Nemo Rangers Count centre in Cork this morning. Cllr Rice lives in Ballyphehane on the southside of Cork city and works as a policy and research manager.
Mr Rice has a law degree and a BSc from UCC and a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Oxford. He only became a councillor in the local elections last June.
Saturday 12.30pm Mallow (CNW):
97% of the boxes in Cork North West have been counted, that is 116 boxes out of 120 boxes.
Tallies so far indicate Aindrias Moynihan (FF) with 19.55% of first preference votes followed by Michael Creed (FG) on 17.4% and John Paul O'Shea (FG) on 17.2%.
Cork North West breakdown so far.Saturday 12am NEMO:
With 35.9% of the boxes tallied in Cork South Central, it's looking like Micheal Martin (FF) — 23.8%; Seamus McGrath (FF) 13.7%; Donnchadh O’Laoghaire (SF) 10.5%; Padraig Rice (SD) 8.1%; Jerry Buttimer (FG) 7.8%; Mick Finn (Independent) 5%.
Saturday 11.30am MALLOW:
It will be a while yet before the first count is in so let’s take a minute and have a look at how the figures in some of the areas are panning out.
One of the ballot boxes in Ardfield, where Christopher O’Sullivan (FF) lives, shows he has a vote of 155 compared to 134 for Holly Cairns. And, in nearby Ahiohill, Holly Cairns took 111 compared to 94 for Christopher O’Sullivan.
In Belgooly, Holly got 127 compared to Christopher’s 82, and in Timoleague Holly took 44, while Christopher took 67. Of course, Clonakilty town, which is Christopher’s main base of operations, has yet to be opened.
Meanwhile, comparing Holly Cairns figures with Michael Collins (Ind Ire) in the Skibbereen area. Five boxes give Holly: 109 + 119 + 121 + 89 + 58. That compares to Michael’s 153 + 139 + 126 + 141 + 85. And in nearby Union Hall, Holly took 79 votes in one box, compared to 85 for Micahel.
And, predictably, in one ballot box in Ballydehob, Holly took the lion’s share of the votes at 158. At this stage, 72% of the boxes are open so it won’t be long now before we have a fuller picture, but for now Holly Cairns is at 20%, Michael Collins at 24.1%, Christopher O’Sullivan at 19.2% with Fine Gael’s Cllr Noel O’Donovan at 12.4% and Senator Tim Lombard at 9.9%.
SATURDAY 11:30am NEMO:
An update to Cork South Central figures, from early tallies – Micheal Martin (FF) -- 23.8%; Seamus McGrath (FF) -- 16.1%; Donnchadh O'Laoghaire (SF) 9.2%; Padraig Rice (SD) -- 7.9%; Jerry Buttimer (FG)-- 7.5%.
SATURDAY 11:16am NEMO:
Inidcations from the Cork South Central tally are that Micheal Martin (FF) is ahead on 24%, Seamus McGrath 16%, Donnchadh O’Laoghaire (SF) 9%, Jerry Buttimer (FG) on (8%) Padraig Rice (SD) on 8% and Michelle Cowhwy Shahid (SF), Laura Harmon (Labour) and Una McCarthy all on 5%.
SATURDAY 10:25am NEMO:
New EU Commissioner Michael McGrath is at Nemo Rangers supporting his brother Cllr Seamus McGrath. Video: Martin Claffey
SATURDAY 10.08am MALLOW:
Early tally figures show Social Democrat Leader Holly Cairns in a very strong position – with some ballot boxes showing an even split between her and Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins.
The fact that opened boxes in Bantry and Schull are showing an even split has been described as remarkable by seasoned tallypeople.
‘We had put her is second place,’ said one seasoned pundit who is a different camp entirely.
Although it is still early in the day, with just 35% of the ballot boxes open it is looking as if Michael Collins is, so far, leading the race at 25% with Fianna Fáil’s Christopher O’Sullivan at 20.1%, and Holly Cairns in third at 19.6%.
Fine Gael’s bid to take the third seat has Noel O’Donovan at 14.8% with Senator Tim Lombard at 8.9%.
But the tally numbers are being updated as quickly as reporters are typing, so stay tuned. For now, it's is as there is no change with Collins, O'Sullivan and Cairns in the same running order as they were elected in 2020.
SATURDAY 10am MALLOW:
The tallies in Cork North West are showing a strong poll for FG (39%) with Fianna Fáil taking 28% of the share and Sinn Féin on 18% of votes. The next biggest party is Aontú on 8% followed by the Greens and Others, both on 3%.
Tallyfolk keeping a close eye on the voting sheets in Cork North West at the Mallow GAA Complex. (Photo: Martin Walsh)
SATURDAY 9.46am NEMO
Counting at the Nemo GAA complex.Counting is underway for Cork South Central at Nemo Rangers Hurling and Football Club in the city.
SATURDAY 9.15am MALLOW
The boxes are opened in Mallow GAA Complex!! Bantry Boys' Club boxes at this corner - with Holly Cairns and Michael Collins polling well so far.
Saturday 9am:
Returning Officer Sinead McNamara addresses the count at Mallow GAA Complex before the boxes are opened.
FRIDAY 11pm:
An RTE exit poll published tonight shows Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil both on 21pc of the electorate, with Fine Gael just behind, on 19.5pc. The Social Democrats have polled well, at 5.8pc, ahead of Labour's 5pc, with the Greens polling 4pc and Aontú on 3.6pc. The exit poll, which asked voters who their first preference vote went to, puts People Before Profit/Solidarity at 3.1pc and Michael Collins' Independent Ireland party on 2.2pc, with others at 1.9pc.
The exit poll puts the number ones for various independents, when combined, at a substantial 12.7pc but this represents many individuals who are not in an organised grouping, around the country. The exit poll would suggest the two main parties may return to power with new or existing partners, or a Sinn Féin government with a very colourful rainbow coalition, if that could be organised, though the former option appears to be the most likely one.
A West Cork political observer noted tonight, based on the exit poll - and not results – that it didn't look like the electorate voted for change in any great numbers. But the transfer of votes from eliminated candidates can also change the view very rapidy. Only time will tell. Join us again first thing tomorrow morning when the Southern Star team will be live from the Mallow count centre watching the early tallies as the boxes are opened for the Cork South West and Cork North West constituences, and for Cork South Central in Nemo Rangers headquarters in Cork city.
FRIDAY 7pm:
Voting is brisk at Sherkin Island this evening and the polling station is reporting a good turnout so far, with more than 50pc of voters having voted already.
The polling station on Sherkin Island, where over half the island's electorate have voted already.
FRIDAY 6.50pm
Polling stations don't close until 10 pm so make sure to get out and cast your vote.
FRIDAY 5.22 pm
Baltimore polling station seeing a little activity as people come home from work.
Baltimore polling station at the Community Hall and play school.
FRIDAY 15.18 pm
Turnout is reported as slow so far at the polling centre at the O'Donovan Rossa GAA Grounds in Skibbereen.
This is in part due to the inclement weather.
Skibbereen polling station at O'Donovan Rossa GAA
FRIDAY 14.20 pm
We'll be here throughout the evening and into the weekend to update you on the latest as the counts begin tomorrow in Mallow.
A reminder that all ballots will go to Mallow to be sorted and counted as reported on by us at the start of the month.
FRIDAY 14.05 pm
Cllr Pádraig Rice, general election candidate for the Social Democrats in Cork South Central voting in Morning Star Primary School in Ballyphehane, Cork.
FRIDAY 12.46 pm
TD and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has had her baby girl on voting day.
(Photo: Holly Cairns Instagram)
FRIDAY noon
TD and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, who is overdue her first baby this week, was a no-show for her pre-arranged photo opportunity at Lisheen NS this morning.
FRIDAY 11.45 am
Former poll-topper Michael Collins TD casts his vote in Schull.
Michael Collins TD, leader of the Independent Ireland party, voting in Schull early this morning. (Photo: Andy Gibson)
FRIDAY 11.30 am
Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O'Sullivan cast his vote in Clonakilty.
Christopher O'Sullivan TD (FF), voting in Clonakilty this morning. (Photo: Andy Gibson)
FRIDAY 11 am
Cllr Noel O’ Donovan, one of two Fine Gael candidates for Cork South West, casting his vote at the Kilmeen National School Polling Station. (Photo: Andrew Harris)
Noel O'Donovan casts his vote.
FRIDAY 10.23 am
Micheál Martin along with his wife Mary Martin and adult children Micheál Aodh (L), Cillian (C) and Aoibhe cast their votes in the 2024 general election in Ballinlough, Cork city.
(Photo: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision)
FRIDAY 10am
Local polling stations around West Cork are reporting a very slow turnout this morning, but partly due to the inclement weather. It is expected that they will see a pick-up after lunch when the rain is forecast to ease off.
Caheragh polling station this morning.
FRIDAY 29TH - 07am
The polls are now open across the country. Get out and cast your votes.
You can meet the candidates here.
Election 2024: Meet the nominees for Cork South West
Election 2024: Meet the nominees for Cork North West
THURSDAY 28TH - 07am
The Southern Star is in stores now with our final preview ahead of the election which kicks off in just 24 hours.
WEDNESDAY 27TH - 12pm
We're on the countdown to the general election now, with two days to go before voting begins. Don't miss this week's Southern Star - in shops on Thursday - for our final preview of the big day.
Here's some recommended reading and watching from The Southern Star ahead of the election:
Election 2024: Meet the nominees for Cork South West
Election 2024: Meet the nominees for Cork North West
WATCH: On the campaign trail with FF's Christopher O'Sullivan
WATCH: On the campaign trail with Social Democrats' leader Holly Cairns
WATCH: On the campaign trail with Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins
