Voting has opened in the Údarás na Gaeltachta elections, with Fianna Fáil hoping to maintain its dominant position in the Gaeltacht development authority.
A total of 44 candidates are contesting the 17 seats.
The electorate of 79,600 people within Irish-speaking areas of counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Meath.
A further three seats, including the post of chair, are nominated by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuív.
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Turnout for the Údarás vote in 1999 was about 50 per cent, but fell to as low as 12 per cent in some city areas.
Polling ends tonight at 9.00pm, with the count set to begin tomorrow. A result is expected by the evening.