Voters have been turning out in huge numbers for the presidential election in the US, where there are indications that the final turnout may be a record.
It is estimated that up to 120 million, or 60% of the electorate, will vote in this year's ballot. That compares with 50% four years ago.
The polls were to begin closing at around 10pm Irish time, but voting will continue in some states until as late as 5am.
Ahead of voting, the latest opinion polls indicated that the US President, George W Bush, and his Democratic Party opponent, Senator John Kerry, are still running neck and neck.
Mr Bush voted this morning in Crawford, Texas, saying that he was calm and confident now that the election was in the hands of the people.
Mr Kerry cast his ballot in Boston this evening, after meeting party activists earlier in Wisconsin.
He described the campaign as an amazing journey and said that he was very confident that he had made the case for a change in the US leadership.
Special election coverage on RTÉ
A three hour RTÉ Prime Time special on the US election results will be broadcast on RTÉ One Television beginning at midnight.
Updates will be carried in bulletins on RTÉ Radio One and on 2FM throughout the night.
There will be a special news programme on the election on RTÉ One Television beginning at 8am tomorrow morning.
On RTÉ Radio One, Morning Ireland will come on air one hour earlier at 6 am.
