Newsletters
Catherine Connolly, a left-wing candidate advocating for Irish unity, has been elected Ireland's 10th president, defeating rival Heather Humphreys in a decisive victory that returns a woman to the country's highest office for the first time since 2011.
Connolly secured 63.4% of the vote in results announced Saturday morning, following polls that opened at 7 a.m. local time Friday and closed at 10 p.m. Humphreys, her main opponent, received 29.5% of votes cast.
Jim Gavin, nominated by Prime Minister Micheal Martin, garnered 7.2% despite withdrawing from the race over allegations he overcharged a tenant for rent. His name remained on the ballot.
The president-elect has pledged to take community-level steps toward unifying the island of Ireland and promised to engage directly with people in Northern Ireland. Connolly also vowed to work on housing and welfare issues, even acknowledging such efforts would exceed the traditional powers of the Irish presidency.
Connolly will assume office on Nov. 11 during an inauguration ceremony, becoming Ireland's third female president. The victory marks a historic milestone for the nation, which in 1990 became the first country in the world to elect a woman president—Mary Robinson—followed by another woman, Mary McAleese, who served two terms from 1997 to 2011.
Prime Minister Martin congratulated Connolly on social media, writing: "Catherine ran a successful and impactful campaign. She has earned a clear mandate to represent the Irish people as president for the next 7 years. The people made their choice and I have no doubt that Connolly will serve the country in the best way possible."
Simon Harris, leader of coalition partner Fine Gael—which had nominated Humphreys—and serving as deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs and defense, also offered his congratulations. "She will be president of this entire country and all of us. I wish her success," Harris said. "Her success will be Ireland's success."
The seven-year term ahead will test whether Connolly can fulfill her ambitious agenda while navigating the largely ceremonial constraints of Ireland's presidency.
2 min read
