Polling stations opened at 7am this morning as voting begins in the local and European elections.
Voters in Limerick will also vote in the Limerick Mayoral election.
Voters must have a valid form of identification - such as a passport, driving licence, Public Services Card or an employee or student ID with a photograph to be able to vote.
People do not need a polling card to vote but can bring it with them.
The ballot boxes will be opened at 8am on Saturday. Counting in the Limerick Mayoral Election will not begin until Monday.
What am I voting in?
Voting in three elections is taking place today: the local elections, the European Parliament and the first directly-elected Mayor of Limerick.
The majority will vote in the first two, while only those registered to vote in the Limerick city and county can vote for the mayor.
Irish voters will elect 14 MEPs to represent Ireland at the European Parliament - one more than in the 2019 elections.
The European Parliament is made up of 705 members elected across its 27 member states.
In the local elections, 949 seats are to be filled in county and city councils across 166 local electoral areas.
Local councillors make policy decisions at local level including in areas such as planning, roads, traffic, housing, environmental services, recreation and community development.
More than 2,100 candidates have been selected or declared for the local elections this year.
How do I vote?
Voters must bring identification with them even if they have a polling card.
Any one of the following IDs is needed to prove your identity:
- A passport (either a passport card or passport book)
- A driving licence
- A Public Services Card
- A workplace identity card (it must have a photograph)
- A student identity card (it must have a photograph)
- A travel document (it must have a photograph)
- A bank or credit union account book with your name and address in the constituency (voting area)
- Irish Residence Permit
On the ballot papers, voters must ensure they express their preference or preferences on each individual ballot paper.
This means they put the number 1 beside their first preference - carrying on with 2, 3, 4, etc for as many or as few as they wish.
This process is the same on all ballot papers.
The ballot paper will show a list of names, in alphabetical order, party emblems and images of each candidate.
Each ballot paper also contains short instructions on how to vote.
Pencils will be provided, but people can bring their own pen or pencil if they wish.
Polling stations will close at 10pm.
