Three-and-a half weeks of election campaigning and mileage clocked up running around the country came to a halt today as the political party leaders headed back to their constituencies to vote.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern voted at around 11am at Drumcondra National School, north Dublin.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny had earlier cast his vote at the Parish Centre, in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte voted just before 10am at Scoil Áine Girls' National School, Clondalkin, while Progressive Democrats leader and Tánaiste Michael McDowell was first to cast his vote at 8.15am in Ranelagh in Dublin.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams accompanied party candidate for Dublin North East, Larry O'Toole, to vote at Darndale National School this morning.
Meanwhile President Mary McAleese is returning from her State visit to Latvia and Lithuania just after 3.30pm and will head straight from Dublin airport to a polling booth near St Mary's Hospital to vote.