Left-wing independent candidate Catherine Connolly has won a landslide victory in Ireland's presidential election, securing 63% of first preference votes. The 68-year-old former barrister and independent MP for Galway will become the republic's 10th president and its first female head of state.
Connolly received 914,143 of 1,442,698 valid votes, defeating Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys, who won 29%. Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin, who withdrew after a financial scandal, still received 7% of votes. Turnout was low at 46%, with 213,738 spoiled ballots—an unprecedented number reflecting voter frustration.
In her victory speech at Dublin Castle, Connolly pledged to be a 'president for all', advocating for peace, neutrality, and climate action. She promised to champion diversity and constructive questioning of public institutions. Connolly's campaign resonated with younger voters, boosted by social media and endorsements from left-wing parties and artists.
Connolly's victory is seen as a rebuke to the centre-right government amid housing and cost-of-living crises. She has pledged to ringfence Irish neutrality and criticised western 'militarism'. Critics warn she may strain relations with the US and EU, but supporters see her as a symbol of change. Outgoing President Michael D Higgins congratulated Connolly, offering full support for her transition.
