Sinn Fein’s Republicans, who favor reunification of Northern Ireland with Ireland, gained a big lead over the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which is fiercely attached to ties with the United Kingdom.
Sinn Fein won 143 of the 462 seats in the 11 city councils. The results of six seats were not yet known.
Sinn Fein party leader Michelle O’Neill called the results “historic” and told the BBC that her party’s campaign had resonated with voters.