Counting continued in the local elections overnight, with more than 190 councillors now elected.
Tallies conducted earlier on Saturday indicated the two main Government parties of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil were likely be in a battle to be the largest party in local government.
That is how things have played out so far, with more than half of the seats filled so far going to the traditional big two.
Independent candidates have also experienced plenty of success, with more than 40 elected so far.
Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty said the local election result is not the one that the party had hoped for.
Speaking on RTÉ's Six One, Mr Doherty said the party will make some gains in some counties but there would be a lot of disappointment among new candidates.
He said that it had been a tough election but there was still a lot to play for and there were strong indicators coming from the three European constituencies.
Fianna Fáil's Seamus McGrath, brother of Minister for Finance Michael McGrath, secured more than 5,000 votes in the Carrigaline electoral area in Cork, topping the poll on the first count and storming past the 2,057 quota. This is likely to be one of the highest votes in the country.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that Fianna Fáil was doing "far better than predicted".
"The idea that Fianna Fáil would be coming in a distant third is completely disproven. I have been looking at opinion polls for the last three years putting Fianna Fáil at 14-15% when clearly Fianna Fáil will be well ahead of that and well over 20% by the time all these counts are put together," said Mr Martin.
He ruled out suggestions of a snap election, insisting that the Government would run its full term to March 2025.
Tallies have suggested that this will also be a good local election for independents.
Independent candidate Thomas Welby was the first person in the country to be deemed elected, topping the poll for the fourth consecutive time in Conamara North in Galway.
Former minister of state Kevin 'Boxer' Moran is set to top the poll in Athlone.
After losing his seat in the 2020 general election and failing to be co-opted onto the council in 2022 after his son stepped down, he is back in contention now with his eye on another prize after the locals.
"I treat this as a victory and I will assess it but my Dáil bid starts here today, particularly on the vote I got and I'd like to thank the people of Athlone," he said.
More:
Live updates as they happen
The counts: 16 things to watch out for across this weekend
Report flags issues of intimidation or violence toward candidates
The data: Who spent what on online ads to try to sway your vote?
When it comes to the European elections, not every count centre conducted tallies. Of those that did, some trends have emerged.
In Dublin, Fianna Fáil's Barry Andrews is predicted to take a seat.
Fine Gael's Regina Doherty is also seen as a strong contender and told reporters today that she was hopeful of winning a seat.
In Midlands-North-West it appears as though Luke 'Ming' Flanagan is polling strongly.
Other candidates in contention include Independent Ireland's Ciaran Mullooly, Barry Cowen of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's two candidates - Maria Walsh and Nina Carberry.
There has been limited tallying in the Ireland South constituency. However of those conducted, Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher is polling well, so too is Michael McNamara in Co Clare.
The results for the European election cannot be announced until after 10pm tomorrow, when all other polling stations across the EU have closed.
Moran on course to top poll in Limerick mayoral race
Meanwhile, according to tallies, former secretary general of the Department of Finance John Moran is on course to top the poll in the Limerick mayoral race with 24% of first preferences.
Helen O'Donnell, another independent, was coming in second place at 16% while Fianna Fáil’s Dee Ryan was on 14%.
The margin tightened between Dee Ryan and Fine Gael’s Daniel Butler, who finished the tally on 13%.
Sinn Féin’s Maurice Quinlivan, a sitting TD, ended on 10% in the tally.
Counting for the Limerick mayoral election will not start until Monday.
