Going to the counts?

DMC

Just wondering does anyone here go to the counts?

I would say that this election, it will be a good atmosphere in the RDS, with most of the Dublin counts there, and with a tinge of sadness that this will be the last count of its type, because the next general election, we'll all know the result by 2am that night with electronic voting. I find that the day of the count is more dramatic than the weeks preceding it.

If RTÉ don't go on strike, I will watch the whole event on telly, but I might venture to a count if they are!

Victor

What is the story with going along, can you just show up at the door or do you need an invite?

sceptre

I'd imagine you can just walk right in. You certainly used be able to just walk in and watch (open democracy and all that)

Last time I went was 1981 (I was six admittedly but going was my idea)

DMC

Normally, its agents of the candidates, the tally men and party followers that attend the counts, and sit on the fence (for once in their lives!) overseeing the count, but you do see a lot of the general public there. Like, the young kids waving behind the RTÉ reporters back for their moment of glory.

I can post up a list of count centres, if folk want....

dahamsta

I can post up a list of count centres, if folk want....

Do please, I was only thinking this the other day but I have no idea where the count centre is in Cork.

adam

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

sceptre

Carlow-Kilkenny
Thomastown Community Centre, Station Road, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.

Cavan-Monaghan
Sports Centre, Drumalee, Cavan.

Clare
Sports Complex, Coláiste Mhuire, Ennis, Co. Clare.

Cork North-Central
Cork South-Central
Concert Hall, City Hall, Cork.

Cork East
Mallow Youth Centre, Mallow, Co. Cork.

Cork North West
Bishop McEgan Sports Complex, Macroom, Co. Cork

Cork South-West
Clonakilty Community Hall, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.

Donegal North-East
Community Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Donegal South-West
St John Bosco Community Centre, Donegal.

Dublin Central
Dublin South-Central
Dublin South-East
Dublin North-Central
Dublin North-East
Dublin North-West
Main Hall & Shelbourne Hall R.D.S., Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Dublin North & Dublin West
The Verschoyle Suite, City West Hotel, Saggart, Co. Dublin.

Dublin South
Ballinteer Community School, Ballinteer, Dublin 16.

Dún Laoghaire
Loughlinstown Leisure Centre, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin.

Dublin Mid-West
Lucan Sports & Leisure Centre, Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, Co. Dublin.

Dublin South-West
Sports Complex, Community College, Tymon North, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Galway East
Community Centre, New Inn, Co. Galway.
Galway West
Leisureland, Salthill, Galway.

Kerry North
Brandon Conference Centre, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Kerry South
Gleneagle Hotel Ballroom, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

Kildare North
Killasheen House Hotel, Killasheen, Naas, Co. Kildare.

Kildare South
Royston Sports & Social Club, Ryston, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

Laoighis-Offaly
St Mary's Hall, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

Limerick East & West
Limerick Racecourse, Greenmount Park, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick.

Longford-Roscommon
The Mall Sports Complex, Templemichael, Longford.

Louth
Redeemer Family Resource Centre, Ardeasmuinn, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Mayo East
Mayo West
Travellers Friend Hotel, Westport Road, Castlebar, Co.Mayo.

Meath
Simonstown Community Centre, Navan, Co. Meath.

Sligo-Leitrim
Gillooly Hall, Sligo.

Tipperary North
Eire Óg Sports Complex, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

Tipperary South
Dr. Pat O’ Callaghan Sports Complex, Cashel Rd, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

Waterford
Butler Community Centre, St John's Park, Waterford.

Westmeath
C.B.S Gym, College St, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

Wexford
Clonard Community Centre, Clonard, Wexford.

Wicklow
Arklow Sports and Leisure Centre, Arklow, Co. Wicklow.

DMC

<edit>bah! beat me to it! Thats the bunny!

Now, as the count in Meath is on Friday night......where will I go on Saturday.... me thinks Mullingar, as I feel that Donie Cassidy might push out FG's McGrath, making it 2 FF and 1 Lab

Might be a good place to be!

Victor

Originally posted by sceptre
Dublin North & Dublin West
The Verschoyle Suite, City West Hotel, Saggart, Co. Dublin.

Isn't it nice to see wheeler-dealer property developers and the like can still get contracts from county councils.

dahamsta

I think you're right daveirl, Neptune used to be the count center.

Thanks for the info boys!

adam

Bateman

Dublin count in Tallaght, haha hope the ballot boxes don't get nicked!:D

Victor

Originally posted by Bateman
Dublin count in Tallaght, haha hope the ballot boxes don't get nicked!:D

Isn't that an outdated stereotype?

CHRISTYG

Obviously, the candidates, agents, etc. are going to be there. But if you're a member of the public, dosen't it strike you as a bit sad if the only thing to do on a Friday night or Saturday is to hang round and watch the tallymen (and women!) count the votes!!

sceptre

Originally posted by CHRISTYG
dosen't it strike you as a bit sad if the only thing to do on a Friday night or Saturday is to hang round and watch the tallymen (and women!) count the votes!!

Heh, on that basis, you're fairly sad if you're a habitual tallyman.

(don't see the point of being a tallyman to be honest, unless it's as a way of checking up on democracy)

dahamsta

But if you're a member of the public, dosen't it strike you as a bit sad if the only thing to do on a Friday night or Saturday is to hang round and watch the tallymen (and women!) count the votes!!

Not if you've got a flagon, a hipflask and a Glock Nine.

adam

Victor

Originally posted by sceptre
(don't see the point of being a tallyman to be honest, unless it's as a way of checking up on democracy)

Well it is a way of checking on democracy. Remember all the international observers that go to some emerging democracies?

gandalf

Hmmm the Dublin South Count Centre is up the road from me. If it looks like one of the Sitting FF or PD TD's are going to get scalped I might head up to laugh and point at them (and also hand out a IOFFL leaflet to them ).

Gandalf.