Catherine Connolly wins Ireland’s presidential election by landslide

Catherine Connolly, an independent candidate backed by Ireland’s left-wing opposition parties, has won the country’s presidential election by a landslide, securing over 64.7% of the vote, official results showed on Saturday.I will be a president who listens, who reflects and who speaks when it’s necessary. Together we can shape a new republic that values everybody,” Connolly said in her victory speech at Dublin Castle.Heather Humphreys of the centrist Fine Gael party finished second with 28.2%, while Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin came third with just over 7%, despite having withdrawn from the race earlier this month amid a rent payment controversy. His withdrawal effectively left Connolly and Humphreys as the main contenders.Connolly, 68, a lawmaker from Galway and a fluent Irish speaker, will succeed Michael D. Higgins, who served two full terms since 2011 in the largely ceremonial post.Her campaign centred on the themes of “peace,” “unity,” and “neutrality.” Positioned on ...

• 26 Oct 2025