There was a surprise outcome to the election for mayor in Sligo after Sinn Féin's Seán MacManus had his name drawn from a hat.
Alderman MacManus only left the position two years ago after being elected in 2000.
Fine Gael was expected to get the chain of office from the outgoing Fianna Fáil mayor at last night's meeting. However, the decision by Fine Gael's Alderman Jimmy McGarry to vote against his party scuppered the chances of his party colleague Cllr Matt Lyons.
Alderman MacManus and Cllr Lyons received six votes each, after Labour Alderman Declan Bree was eliminated.
The four Fianna Fail members, along with one Fine Gael councillor, voted for Cllr Lyons, with the three Sinn Féin members, two Labour members and Alderman McGarry supporting Mr MacManus.
Cllr Seamus Dolan of Fianna Fáil was elected deputy mayor. Cllr Dolan's name was also drawn from a hat after he and Alderman McGarry each received six votes.
In Waterford, a Fine Gael councillor was elected as mayor. Alderman Tom Cunningham is to hold the position for the final year of the current council.
Waterford's City Council is one of the longest-established civic institutions in western Europe, tracing its history back to 1195.
Alderman Cunningham was elected to the position as a result of a voting pact agreed by the main political parties. Three Workers' Party councillors voiced their opposition to the "undemocratic" process.
The outgoing mayor, Cllr Oliver Clery of the Progressive Democrats, wished the Fine Gael councillor well and said there would be a "challenging but exciting" year ahead.
A Fine Gael councillor is also to be the new mayor of Kilkenny. Cllr Pat Crotty replaced Cllr Betty Manning, an Independent.
The 42-year-old business man beat the Fianna Fáil candidate, Cllr Joe Reidy, by seven votes to five at the annual meeting of the City Borough Council last night.
He maintains a strong family tradition. His father, Kieran, and his late grandfather, Paddy Crotty, also held the office of mayor of Kilkenny.
Cllr Crotty is co-owner of one of the city's trendiest night spots, Paris Texas, and is the the chairman of South East Tourism.
A voting pact between his party and Labour, secured the election for him.