Catherine Connolly Crowned As Ireland's President Following Historic Victory

Catherine Connolly has been elected as the president of Ireland after a landslide victory.

She has become the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland after defeating Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys, who had already conceded to her rival.

The result, long clear from early tallies, was officially declared at Dublin Castle.

Connolly – an independent who was backed by the major left-wing parties – pledged to be an inclusive president for all in her acceptance speech.

The 68-year-old, from Galway, has been a TD (member of the Irish parliament) since 2016.

She will be the country's 10th president, taking over from Michael D Higgins who has served the maximum two terms in office.

Connolly secured 914,143 first preference votes (63%), the largest amount in Irish presidential election history.

She made her acceptance speech first in Irish and then in English.

I will be a president who listens and reflects and who speaks when it's necessary, she said.

I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change, and a voice that recognises the tremendous work being done the length and breadth of the country.

When spoilt votes were excluded, Humphreys won 29% of first preference votes, while Fianna Fail's Jim Gavin, who withdrew from the race but remained on the ballot paper, won 7% first preference votes.

There were 213,738 spoiled votes, an unprecedented amount, and a turnout of 46%.

Cavan–Monaghan was the only constituency won by Humphreys, who had represented it from 2011-2024.

Humphreys, who spoke after Connolly, thanked everyone who voted for her, her campaign team and Fine Gael for the nomination.

I know Catherine will be a president for all of us. Catherine will be my president and I want to wish her well, this is her evening, she said.

The president of Ireland is the country's head of state. They represent the country abroad, take centre stage at major national events, and are responsible for ensuring that the constitution – the set of rules for government and politics - is followed.

Connolly will be inaugurated on 11 November with Higgins leaving office the day before.

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin said an outstanding honour had been bestowed upon Connolly.

Sinn Féin, the main opposition party in the Irish parliament, gave its support to Connolly after deciding not to run its own candidate.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill from Northern Ireland described the win as marking an era of hope.