The story of Day 1 at the Laois General Election count centre was the stunning success of first time Fine Gael candidate Willie Aird, who topped the poll.
Elected first to Portlaoise Town Commission in 1979, he has been a local representative for 45 years.
He joined us on our LoveLaois Podcast to discuss his success, his amazing career in politics and what he feels like to be going to Dail Eireann to represent the people of Laois.
We also hear from Fianna Fail’s Sean Fleming who is set to retain his seat as well as Sinn Fein’s Maria McCormack who polled strongly and retains an outside chance.
As well as that we chat to Independent candidates Aisling Moran and Elaine Mullally and also to Conor Dunne (Fine Gael) and Ross Molloy (Fianna Fail), two of the parties’ youngest activists locally.
