Main points
Key reads
Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys with Tánaiste Simon Harris at Dorrians Imperial Hotel in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, on Thursday. Photograph: Mark Marlow/PA Wire
Ms Humphreys struck a defiant note while canvassing in Sligo and Donegal.
Speaking to supporters, she said: “It is so important we get that vote out tomorrow. Because I don’t believe one bit in those polls, don’t mind those polls. Tomorrow is the poll.”
Speaking at an event in Donegal, Fine Gael leader and Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “The polls said Michael D Higgins was never going to be president – he won the election, he won twice and he did a very good job.
Mr Harris told Fine Gael members in Ballyshannon: “Tomorrow it’s important that middle Ireland comes out and says ‘we don’t want to send out a message about this country being far left’.
“This country is not far left. This is a centrist country with lots of middle ground people and Heather Humphreys epitomises that.”
Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly during a visit to St Anne’s National School in Castlerea, Co Roscommon on Thursday. Photograph: Bairbre Holmes/PA Wire
The final day of campaigning saw another opinion poll, this time from the Irish Independent/Ireland Thinks, which suggested Ms Connolly continues to hold a commanding lead.
Excluding undecided voters, the poll predicted a first-count win for Ms Connolly, with 56 per cent of the vote.
Speaking about the strong opinion poll performance on Thursday, Ms Connolly said: “It’s wonderful for my team but we take absolutely nothing for granted.”
She told reporters at St Anne’s National School in Co Roscommon: “I would appeal to everyone to come out and vote. To be president of Ireland is an absolute privilege and I leave that to the people of Ireland.”
Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys and Independent Catherine Connolly, who is the overwhelming favourite to become the country’s next president. Photographs: Niall Carson/PA & Alan Betson/The Irish Times
After a fractious and unpredictable presidential election campaign, Independent candidate Catherine Connolly now the overwhelming favourite to become the country’s 10th president.
There are widespread fears of a historically low turnout, even lower than the 44 per cent at the last election.
Both Ms Connolly and the Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys on Thursday urged people to exercise their right to vote, Pat Leahy and Sorcha Crowley report.
Counting of votes will begin at 9am on Saturday at count centres across the country, with the nationwide results aggregated later at the national centre in Dublin Castle. A result is expected tomorrow afternoon.
Good morning and happy polling day!
Voting in the presidential election began at 7am, with the polls remaining open until 10pm.
Around 3.6 million people are eligible to vote in more than 5,500 polling stations across the country.
