The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has congratulated Michael D Higgins on securing a second term as President, as counting continues in the Presidential election and blasphemy referendum.
Congratulations @MichaelDHiggins. Really happy that you will continue to be our President for the next 7 years
— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) October 27, 2018
Two exit polls suggest Michael D Higgins will comfortably win the election, and that blasphemy will be repealed from the Constitution.
It looks like a landslide victory for President Higgins - with two exit polls putting the current President on course to be re-elected with between 56% and 58% of the vote.
Businessman Peter Casey looks as though he will place second - securing 21% support in a surprise turnaround in the last week of polling.
His 'Dragon's Den' colleague Gavin Duffy conceded defeat on Friday night - with polls suggesting he would come last in the race.
Just after 12.00pm Saturday, the third 'Dragon' in the race, Sean Gallagher also conceded defeat.
Today the most important thing is not just that the people have spoken but that they have had an opportunity to speak in the ballot box. That is the true value of our democracy. #Aras18 #Aras2018 (1 of 2)
— Seán Gallagher (@seangallagher1) October 27, 2018
It is clear President Michael D Higgins @MichaelDHiggins will be re-elected for a second term and I congratulate him and wish him success in the years ahead. #Aras18 #Aras2018 (2 of 2)
— Seán Gallagher (@seangallagher1) October 27, 2018
Mr Casey's comments that Travellers should not be given ethnic status angered many, but clearly appealed to a significant amount of the electorate.
On The Pat Kenny Show, Traveller's rights group Pavee Point warned that there is no place in Ireland for his "Trump-style politics of division and racism."
Source: The Irish Times/Ipsos MBRI
Sinn Féin will have to pore over why their campaign failed.
Liadh Ni Riada has polled worse than Martin McGuinness in 2011 to secure between 7% and 8%.
Sean Gallagher will finish on between 5.5% and 7% according to the exit polls - far short of the half a million votes he got in 2011.
Pieta House founder Senator Joan Freeman will finish with around 6%, while businessman Gavin Duffy conceded overnight and is likely to get just 2% support.
Mr Duffy says he has no regrets about his decision to run for office.
He has tweeted his congratulations to Michael D Higgins, and wished him all the best for his second term.
@rtenews exit poll. President Higgins 58% Casey 21% Ní Riada 7% Freeman & Gallagher 6%, me last 2%. Thank you to those who voted for me. I value every vote. I wish our President every good wish for his second term. pic.twitter.com/ElURaSFMIv
— Gavin Duffy (@GavinDuffy) October 26, 2018
Behind the figures
Michael D Higgins is set to be re-elected with the largest ever margin of victory for a President.
Tallies across the country have the current President ranging between 50% and 70% support.
Insights from last night's exit polls give us a better idea of why Mr Higgins is being re-elected.
A Red C poll found that his track record and experience was the most important thing for voters.
Only 2% of those polled said the finances of the President’s office were the most important factor in their vote - despite it dominating the agenda during the campaign.
Meanwhile, Peter Casey looks likely to come second in the vote.
Two exit polls put him at 21% and that's roughly holding up around the country.
He has been as high as 24% in Waterford and parts of Cork.
In Limerick meanwhile, some areas that have a large Traveller population have voted heavily in favour of Mr Casey.
Rathkeale 44% and Askeaton 46% in favour of the candidate who said Travellers shouldn't have ethnic status.
Tallies and counting are continuing with an official announcement expected sometime late this afternoon or early this evening.
The overall picture as it stands is a comfortable win for Michael D Higgins, with Peter Casey in the early-20s and a dogfight for third between Liadh Ni Riada and Seán Gallagher.
The blasphemy referendum will pass comfortably with seven in 10 voting in favour of removing its reference from the Constitution.
You can follow our live blog throughout the day for the latest updates on the tallies around the country.
Source: The Irish Times/Ipsos MBRI
Newstalk has full election coverage on-air and online across the day
Additional reporting: Jack Quann and Michael Staines
