Donegal and Mayo islanders take to the polling booths

ALMOST 1,000 people will this morning have the opportunity to strike the first blows of the 2011 General Election as islanders off the Donegal and Mayo coasts go to the polls.

Five Donegal islands and three off Mayo are scheduled to vote from 7am. All of the Donegal islands are in its south-west constituency.

The early voting has traditionally been a practice in case inclement weather delays ballot boxes making their way back to the mainland.