Race to the Áras: Polls close in presidential election
Polls have closed in Ireland’s presidential election, with indications that turnout was around 2018’s figure.
While vote counts on Saturday morning will confirm the total poll, initial reports indicate the turnout was slow in the morning before picking up in the evening.
The turnout in the last presidential election seven years ago was 44%.
The number of people who came out to vote will be closely scrutinised for its impact on the result and as a measure of the interest in an election which was criticised for its limited options
The race has boiled down to a head-to-head between Catherine Connolly, an independent who has secured the backing of left-wing opposition parties, and Heather Humphreys, the candidate for Fine Gael who was a minister in the last coalition.
Ms Humphreys voted early at Killeevan Central National School in Newbliss, Co Monaghan, where she was accompanied by granddaughter Charlotte.
Ms Connolly voted later in the morning in the Claddagh area of Galway.
Outgoing President Mr Higgins voted in Dublin shortly before 11am.
In the final hours of voting, turnout has continued to climb, however it is not yet clear if it will exceed the 43.9% seen in 2018.
In Cork City, the combined turnout was 41.6% by 8pm. In the Taoiseach’s constituency of Cork South Central, it was on 44.6%, while in Corh North Central it was on 36.8%.
In the county, the combined turnout was 38.5%.
In Dublin city, the overall turnout was 38.12% as of 9.30pm.
The highest turnout in the city was Dublin Bay North, which was on 48.9%
Dublin North West had a turnout of 34.7%, with Dublin Central registering a 37% turnout.
Dublin Bay South stood at 31.7%, while Dublin South Central saw a turnout of 38.3% at 9.30pm.
In Galway West at 8pm, parts of the city were reaching into the 40% bracket, with Salthill reaching 47% turnout, Knocknacarra reaching 44% and Bushypark on 43% turnout.
The Aran Islands, meanwhile, were seeing 43% turnout, while Spiddal and Moycullen were 45% and 43% respectively.
In Galway East, the highest turnout was in Kinvara, where 47% of voters turned out. The lowest was in Tuam, with just 31% turning out by 8pm.
At 8.30pm in Kerry, the highest turnout in the Kingdom was in Killarney, with 48% of voters having cast their ballot. Dingle was behind on 42% turnout, while towns like Tralee and Castleisland were on 38% and 39% respectively.
In the Healy-Rae stronghold of Kilgarvan, turnout had picked up throughout the evening, with it reaching 40% by 8.30pm.
In Tipperary, turnout was mixed depending on the area at 7pm. At one polling station in Carrick On Suir, there was a mix of turnouts in the boxes, Highest saw 41.3% turnout, while the lowest was on just 27.3%.
In Offaly at 8.30pm, the highest turnout was in Clara, where it hit 40%. In the Tullamore Urban electoral district, turnout was lower on 37.5%.
In the Birr Urban area, it was lower again on 34%, while in Birr Urban it fell further to 26%.
Meanwhile, in Louth at 8.30pm, one polling station reached 73% turnout in Darver.
Other polling stations across the county, such as Blackrock and Tallanstown were at 52% and 48%. The Louth Village polling station saw a 60% turnout.
The latest poll shows the Independent candidate at 40%, compared to Ms Humphreys on 25%.
Ms Connolly is up eight points from the previous Ireland Thinks poll, where she was on 32%. Ms Humphreys, however, is up only two points, having previously been on 23%.
In Castlerea, Co Roscommon on Thursday, Ms Connolly urged her supporters not to believe the election is a foregone conclusion.
She said: “I would appeal to everyone to come out and vote.
"We’re taking absolutely nothing for granted. And to be president of Ireland, it would be an absolute privilege, and I will leave that to the people of Ireland to decide.
"From day one, the engagement on the ground was fantastic. It has just grown in intensity and numbers. And from day one, people of all ages have come up and engaged with me.”
On the final day of campaigning, Ms Humphreys was in Sligo and Donegal to rally up support, including a fireside chat at the Irish Country Living Women and Agriculture Conference.
“There’s two choices in this election,” Ms Humphreys said. “There’s myself or the other candidate. I know there are three on the ballot paper, but there are only two choices, myself or Catherine.
“What I’m saying to the voters today is, please, first of all, come out. Don’t waste your vote. Don’t allow somebody else to speak for you.
"The second thing is, I’m asking people to support me because I represent middle Ireland, pro-European, pro-business and common sense.
“I’m saying it to the good people in Fianna Fáil, good people in the Labour Party who are supporting me, the people in the Green Party who are supporting me, and especially to the Independents across this country who have committed their support for me — please, please come out tomorrow and vote number one for Heather Humphreys.”
The biggest poll drop is for Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin, who withdrew from the race earlier this month. His support more than halved, from 15% to 7%.
The poll also shows 28% of respondents either do not know, will not vote, or plan to spoil their ballot.
When undecided voters are excluded, Ms Connolly’s lead widens further, with 55% saying they will back the Independent candidate, while Ms Humphreys rises to 35%.
The poll, published Thursday, also provides insight into Tuesday’s Prime Time debate.
It found that 67% of those who watched the debate believed Ms Connolly won, compared to 18% who thought Ms Humphreys performed better.
A further 15% of viewers said they did not know who won the debate.
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