In the midlands yesterday the good weather arrived just in time for the first cut of silage which will probably mean a lower turnout of voters, reports Sean MacConnell, Midlands Correspondent.
By teatime 25 per cent of the urban population had turned out to cast their votes, but in rural areas people were slower to make it to the polling stations.
Portlaoise, Longford, Mullingar and Tullamore towns had a steady trickle of people during the day and were far ahead of the rural areas by late yesterday evening.
The returning officer for the Laois-Offaly constituency, Mr James Cahill, had complained that the teatime turnout had been "very slight" in rural areas. However, he still expected more people to vote after work on the farm was completed for the day.