Catherine Connolly has been elected as Ireland's 10th president, securing a landslide victory with 63.4% of the vote.
The 68-year-old Galway native, a fluent Irish speaker and outspoken advocate for social justice, will succeed the outgoing President Michael D. Higgins in November, marking her as only the third woman to hold the largely ceremonial yet symbolically potent office.
Connolly's triumph over Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys, who garnered 29.5% of the vote, came after Humphreys graciously conceded defeat early in the counting process at Dublin Castle. "Catherine will be a president for all of us, and she will be my president," Humphreys declared, extending her best wishes to the president-elect. The result, announced late on October 25, capped a campaign that galvanized younger voters and highlighted deep-seated frustrations with Ireland's center-right coalition government.
A Campaign Built on Unity, Peace, and Critique
From the outset, Connolly's bid emphasized themes of inclusivity, neutrality, and accountability. Running as an independent, she garnered endorsements from a broad spectrum of left-leaning parties, including Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and the Green Party. This unusual coalition underscored a rare moment of unity among progressive forces, with Labour leader Ivana Bacik hailing the outcome as evidence of an "appetite for change" that could pave the way for a center-left government in future elections.
Born in 1957 into a large family of 14 children in rural Galway, Connolly's upbringing instilled in her a profound commitment to community and equity. A former barrister and Teachta Dála (TD) for Galway West since 2016, she rose to prominence as a deputy speaker in the Dáil Éireann and chair of the Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht, and Islands. Her parliamentary tenure was marked by fierce advocacy on issues like housing reform—blaming government policies for the ongoing crisis—and opposition to what she terms "western militarism."
In her victory speech at Dublin Castle, Connolly struck a tone of reconciliation and resolve. "I will be a president who listens, who reflects, and who speaks when it's necessary," she said, pledging to champion diversity and Ireland's storied policy of military neutrality. "We must build on our policy of neutrality and be a voice for peace," she added, drawing applause from supporters who see her as a bulwark against escalating global conflicts.
Connolly's foreign policy stances have already sparked international interest. She has vocally criticized NATO's eastward expansion, calling it a "disgusting role" in provoking tensions with Russia, and advocated for diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine conflict. On Gaza, she has accused the UK, US, and France of enabling "genocide," positioning herself as a staunch pacifist and socialist. These views, while polarizing, align with Ireland's tradition of non-alignment and have thrilled anti-war advocates across Europe.
Critics, however, have portrayed her as a potential liability for Ireland's diplomatic relations, particularly with Washington and Brussels. During the campaign, opponents questioned her past associations, including a 2018 nomination of conspiracy theorist Gemma O'Doherty for the presidency and a self-funded trip to Syria amid its civil war—defended by Connolly as an independent fact-finding mission. Undeterred, she clarified her pacifist credentials, emphasizing that "violence was never justified" during the Troubles and distancing herself from any support for armed groups.
A Divided Electorate: Low Turnout and Spoiled Ballots
The election was not without its shadows. Voter turnout hovered at a dismal 46.3%, the lowest in recent presidential history, signaling widespread disillusionment. More strikingly, over 213,000 ballots—about 12.7% of those cast—were spoiled or invalid, a tenfold increase from 2018 and highest in Dublin constituencies where rates reached 20%. Analysts attribute this to voter frustration over limited choices, exacerbated by the late withdrawal of Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin three weeks prior due to a financial scandal, leaving his name on ballots as a protest option.
Despite these irregularities, Connolly's first-preference vote tally set a record, reflecting her grassroots appeal. Social media buzzed with celebration, from viral posts hailing her as a "stunning" progressive force to international observers noting the win as part of a European trend toward "non-systemic" leaders.
From Domestic Unity to Global Echoes
Leaders across the spectrum rallied behind the result. Outgoing President Higgins personally telephoned Connolly to offer congratulations and the full support of Áras an Uachtaráin during her transition. Taoiseach Micheál Martin described it as a "tremendous majority" and an "outstanding honor," while Tánaiste Simon Harris affirmed she would be "president for all this country."
In Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O'Neill called it an "era of hope," linking Connolly's victory to broader aspirations for unity. Globally, the election drew praise from allies like MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace, whom Connolly has publicly admired.
As Connolly prepares for her seven-year term—hosting dignitaries, signing bills into law, and representing Ireland abroad—her presidency promises to elevate the office's activist legacy, first forged by Mary Robinson in 1990. Experts like Maynooth University's Tobias Lock predict minimal disruption to EU ties, given the role's non-executive nature, but anticipate a bolder voice on human rights and disarmament.
In a nation grappling with housing woes, climate urgency, and geopolitical strains, Connolly's election signals a pivot toward progressive introspection. As one supporter tweeted amid the Dublin Castle cheers: "Ireland chooses hope over habit." Whether her tenure delivers on that promise remains the story yet to unfold.