Catherine Connolly Elected Ireland’s New President

Ireland’s presidency is largely a ceremonial position with no executive or policy role.

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly casts her vote in the election for the next Irish president at Claddagh National School in Galway city, Ireland, on Oct. 24, 2025. Brian Lawless/PA via AP

Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent candidate, won Ireland’s presidential election in a landslide victory on Oct. 25.

Heather Humphreys, 64, of the center-right party Fine Gael, announced her concession on Oct. 25, as vote counting was still underway. Ahead of the final result, Humphreys told reporters that she wanted “to congratulate Catherine Connolly on becoming the next president of Ireland.”