All indications are that there has been a higher voter turnout in this year's General Election than the 63% in 2002.
A 74% turnout was recorded in the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's constituency of Dublin Central.
Electoral officials described the turnout in the constituency as 'unprecedented', and said there was never a slow moment.
There was a 68% turnout in the Dublin North constituency which is up 8% on the 2002 election. A total of 55,000 votes were cast in the constituency.
In Castlebar, Co Mayo - the home town of Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny - polling stations recorded an 82% turnout.
Even in Cork North-West where 73.36% was 2002's best turnout, there are indications that this percentage has been topped.
More than three million people were voting for candidates to the 30th Dáil in one of the tightest General Election contests in history.
Counting across the country began at 9am. While the first official results will not be announced until early afternoon, early tallies are indicating trends.
For Ireland's fastest election results, stay connected to RTÉ.ie/election and Aertel.
