There are a number of first this weekend in Mayo, as voters go to the polls on Friday to make their choices in two referendums to change the constitution– on the “family” and “care”.

For the first time ever, a woman will be at the helm, managing the vote in Mayo on Friday, and the count on Saturday from the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar.

Dr. Ann Marie Courell, who has succeeded Fintan Murphy as Mayo County Registrar, will have around 500 personnel at her disposal over the two days – to provide a smooth and efficient polling day and result.

As Returning Officer in a constituency where almost 100,000 people are entitled to vote Dr. Courell is the first woman in Mayo to be responsible for the conduct of the elections, conducting and supervising the election count, and declaring the results.

Its set to be a busy 2024 for the Mayo County Registrar as Local and European Elections are scheduled for June, and before the year is over we may even be looking at a General Election.

Another first for the county on Friday is that voters on the three Mayo islands – Clare Island, Inishturk and Innisbiggle will exercise their franchise at the same time as their counterparts on the mainland.

While mainland voters will be able to vote between 7am and 10pm, voting on the islands will take place within a slightly more restrictive time period.

Voting time on Clare Island is 9 am to 8 pm, and 9am to 7.30pm on both Innisbiggle and Inishturk.

This lunchtime Dr Courell joins us with more details on Fridays vote and an action packed schedule ahead…