Presiding officer Hugh ODonnell (left) and Garda officer P.J. McHugh carry the ballot box off the island of Innishfree, Co Donegal. A local home was turned into a temporary polling station where islanders Phil and Hans Schleweck from Stuttgart, Germany, cast their vote. The rest of Ireland will cast their votes on 23 May. Photograph: Paul McErlane/EPA

Sgt Val Murray assists Carmel McBride, presiding officer for Inishbofin, off Co Donegal, with the ballot box as Islanders go to the polls a day earlier in the local and European elections. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Presiding officer Hugh ODonnell (left) and Garda officer P.J. McHugh carry the ballot box to the island of Innishfree, Co Donegal. Photograph: Paul McErlane/EPA

Voters on 12 offshore islands have already cast their ballots for the European and local elections today, just one day ahead of the rest of the State.

Residents of five islands in Donegal South-West, three in Mayo and four in Galway West were able to vote up to 9pm this evening, while those living on seven islands in the Cork South-West constituency will vote tomorrow.

A total of 2,131 people are registered to vote on the 12 islands. In Donegal, where there are five islands, 753 people are entitled to vote.

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Voting begins on Irelands 12 offshore islands