Islanders off the coast of Mayo, Galway and Donegal will be the first citizens to pass their verdict on the children’s rights referendum today when polling stations open.

More than 2,500 people are eligible to cast their votes from this morning, two days in advance of the rest of the country.

Voting has traditionally taken place on the islands before the rest of the country in case bad weather delays the delivery of ballot boxes in time for the count.

The ballot boxes will be transported to the mainland under Garda escort and held for counting on Sunday at the TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar, the Leisureland complex in Salthill, and the John Bosco Centre in Donegal.

Polling booths on the Mayo islands will open at 10am this morning and stay open until 7pm this evening.