Voters will go to the polls in the Republic of Ireland today to elect the country’s next president.
The role – which has been held by Michael D Higgins for the last 14 years – is largely ceremonial, but one with real national significance.
Around 3.4 million people are eligible to vote, and they will choose from just two candidates.
The race to be the 10th president of Ireland has boiled down to a former government minister for Fine Gael, Heather Humphreys, and an independent member of the Irish parliament, Catherine Connolly, who is backed by Sinn Féin and a number of other parties.
A third candidate, the Fianna Fáil-backed Jim Gavin, who pulled out of the race, will still appear on the ballot.
Mr Gavin, a former Gaelic football manager, withdrew from the race after the official deadline to do so had passed.
The Irish government has appealed for people to get out and vote, as turnout is expected to be low.
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Polling stations are open until 10pm tonight.
Ballot boxes will be opened at 9am on Saturday, with a result expected in the late afternoon.
