All eyes on local and EU counts as vote may be bellwether for a general election 

Party leaders will study the turnout, first preferences, and transfers in the European and local elections — and in Limerick's mayoral race — to gauge public sentiment in Ireland

Count centres have been set up all over Ireland — in this instance, at Cork City Hall — where ballots will be sorted and counted for the local and European elections and, in Limerick, for the mayoral election. Picture: Larry Cummins

Counting begins across the country on Saturday morning after voters cast their ballots in both the local and European elections on Friday. 

The results of the elections will be closely watched ahead of a general election, which could be called as early as the autumn, as the results will be seen as a true barometer of public sentiment.