Inis Oírr residents vote early with turnout expected to be 50%

When Tomás Conneely pulled up his tractor at Inis Oírr’s polling station yesterday afternoon, turnout for the European and local elections was about 16 per cent. A nippy northerly wind was keeping most folk indoors, save for Sandy the dolphin, swimming between the beach and pier.

The Clare-based marine mammal had shifted constituencies to Galway West about a month ago – showing more interest in the island than most of the candidates, several residents observed. There have been plenty of leaflets through letterboxes, but few canvassers had visited.

Over at Scoil Chaomháin, the primary school, presiding officer Pádraic Ó Conghaíle and polling clerk Pádraig Ó Donncha had been on duty since 7am. Three people had voted before 8am, Ó Conghaíle confirmed, but pace until lunchtime had been leisurely enough.

The 17 primary school pupils had done their bit for the occasion, creating bunting from flags of various EU member states and a profile of each country pinned on the wall.

Postman Máirtín Ó Coisteala strode in at about 1pm. He was followed 20 minutes later by Máire Uí Dhufaigh, and by the island postmistress, who was in too much of a hurry to talk. There was a steady trickle throughout the afternoon, reaching more than 30 per cent by teatime, and Ó Conghaíle was quietly optimistic of a 50 per cent turnout by 10pm. Bone of contention

Inis Oírr was one of 12 islands voting yesterday, a day before the rest of the State. Polling dates set in advance of the mainland have been a bone of contention in recent years, as islanders believe there is little need now due to improved transport and communications.

The pier, which is unsafe in northeasterly winds, along with a threat to the Aran air service and health issues are the main issues on Inis Oírr.

Representatives from all three Aran islands recently travelled to Dublin to make a compelling case for renewing the air contract.

As evening wore on, word was that Garda Brian O’Donnell was en route from Inis Mór. Come 10pm, he would collect the sealed box number 131 from the Inis Oírr school before escorting it to Galway today.

“So, yes, if you are asking, I’ll be staying overnight, “Garda O’Donnell quipped. “I’ll be sharing the guesthouse bedroom with the Inis Oírr box.”