2025 Ireland Presidential Election: Connolly’s Victory
Irish voters made history on 24 October 2025, electing Catherine Connolly as the country’s first female president. With a commanding share of the vote, the outcome reshaped the political landscape and marked a clear departure from the 2018 election.
Election date: Friday, 24 October 2025 ·
Winner: Catherine Connolly ·
Voter turnout: 45.83% ·
Valid votes cast: 1,442,698
Quick snapshot
- Election held on 24 October 2025 (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Catherine Connolly won 63.36% of valid votes (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Official turnout was 45.83% (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Full breakdown of spoilt votes by constituency – pending Electoral Commission report (Electoral Commission of Ireland (official election oversight body))
- Exact turnout figures before final count – partial estimates only (The Journal (independent Irish news outlet))
- Electorate count discrepancy: official 3,614,450 vs Irish Times 3,612,957 – source not reconciled (The Irish Times (leading Irish daily newspaper))
- Election day: 24 October 2025, polling stations 7am-9pm (EFE (global news agency))
- Result declared on 25 October 2025 (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Inauguration of President Catherine Connolly as 10th President of Ireland (Taylor & Francis (academic journal publisher))
- Electoral Commission to publish full post-election report (Electoral Commission of Ireland (official election oversight body))
Six key facts from official data tell the story of the 2025 election at a glance.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Election date | 24 October 2025 |
| Winner | Catherine Connolly |
| Outgoing president | Michael D. Higgins |
| Voter turnout | 45.83% (official) |
| Number of candidates | 3 (Connolly, Humphreys, Gavin) |
| Official returning officer | Presidential Returning Officer via presidentialelection.ie |
Who won the Irish presidential election 2025?
Results summary
- Catherine Connolly won 914,143 first-preference votes (63.36%) (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Heather Humphreys secured 424,987 votes (29.46%) (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Jim Gavin received 103,568 votes (7.18%) (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- The official quota for election was 721,350 votes (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
“Catherine Connolly won 63.36% of valid votes – the highest percentage ever recorded in a contested Irish presidential election.”
Connolly’s 63.36% share is described as the highest percentage ever received in a contested Irish presidential election (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)). Her 914,143 first-preference votes are also reported as the highest number ever won by any electoral candidate in Irish history (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)).
“Connolly’s first-preference vote total of 914,143 is the largest ever achieved by any candidate in an Irish election.”
Winning candidate profile
Catherine Connolly is an independent politician who previously served as a TD for Galway West. Her campaign focused on social justice, climate action, and a more inclusive Ireland. Her victory makes her the 10th President of Ireland and the first woman to hold the office (Taylor & Francis (academic journal publisher)). Outgoing President Michael D. Higgins did not seek re-election, ending his two terms in office.
The pattern: Connolly’s vote share exceeded the combined total of the other two candidates, giving her a decisive first-round victory.
When is the Irish presidential election 2025 date?
Timeline of the election
- 2018: Last Irish presidential election – Michael D. Higgins re-elected
- 2024: Speculation about potential candidates begins
- October 2025: Campaign period; nomination deadlines
- 24 October 2025: Election day – polls open 7am to 9pm (EFE (global news agency))
- 25 October 2025: Counting and declaration of result (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
Key dates for voters
The electoral register closed weeks before polling day. Voters needed to be registered with the local authority. The Electoral Commission of Ireland provided guidance on voter registration and polling station locations (Electoral Commission of Ireland (official election oversight body)).
The catch: at 12:30pm on election day, Ireland Votes estimated the national turnout at just 10.6% (The Journal (independent Irish news outlet)). Many voters waited until after work or later in the afternoon to cast their ballot.
Who are the 2025 Irish presidential election candidates?
Main contenders
- Catherine Connolly (Independent): Former TD for Galway West – won 63.36% of first-preference votes (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael): Minister for Social Protection – secured 29.46% (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Jim Gavin (Independent): Former Dublin GAA manager – received 7.18% (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
Nominations process
Candidates needed either the backing of 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities, or could self-nominate if they had served as president before. The Presidential Returning Officer oversaw the process (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority)). Outgoing President Michael D. Higgins did not run for re-election after serving two terms (The Irish Times (leading Irish daily newspaper)).
Having only three main candidates on the ballot simplified the campaign for voters but also concentrated the choice. Some critics argued the nomination rules limited the field to established political figures or high-profile names, reducing the diversity of options available to the electorate.
The implication: the nomination system effectively filtered the candidate field, favoring those with institutional or celebrity backing.
What were the 2025 Irish presidential election polls and odds?
Pre-election polling data
- The Irish Times reported that Catherine Connolly was “overwhelming favourite” as election day approached (The Irish Times (leading Irish daily newspaper))
- Heather Humphreys was considered the main challenger, backed by Fine Gael
- Jim Gavin’s campaign struggled to gain traction despite high sporting profile
Betting odds analysis
Bookmakers consistently placed Catherine Connolly as the clear favourite throughout the campaign period. Odds reflected a growing confidence among bettors that she would win, with Humphreys trailing significantly and Gavin considered a distant third. The final result aligned with those market expectations.
What this means: pre-election polling and betting markets both correctly predicted a Connolly victory, but significantly underestimated the scale of her margin and the record-low turnout.
What was the voter turnout for the 2025 Irish presidential election?
Turnout figures
- Official electorate: 3,614,450 (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- The Irish Times reported 3,612,957 people were entitled to vote (The Irish Times (leading Irish daily newspaper))
- Official percentage poll: 45.83% (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Total valid poll: 1,442,698 (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Total poll (including spoilt votes): 1,656,436 (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
- Spoiled votes: 213,738 (Presidential Returning Officer (official election authority))
Voting process
Polling stations opened at 7:00am and closed at 9:00pm on 24 October 2025 (EFE (global news agency)). Voters cast their ballots at local polling stations using the single transferable vote system. The Electoral Commission managed the overall administration (Electoral Commission of Ireland (official election oversight body)).
The 45.83% official turnout was the highest since 1997 (47.3%), but it came with a record 213,738 spoiled votes – described as record numbers in Irish electoral history (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)). The high number of inaccurate ballots suggests many voters may have been confused by the ballot paper or deliberately spoiled their vote as a protest.
RTÉ had estimated turnout would remain below 44%, the figure recorded in the 2018 election (EFE (global news agency)). The actual figure of 45.83% marginally exceeded that estimate but still means more than half of eligible voters stayed home.
Catherine Connolly: first woman president of Ireland
robert-schuman.eu, irelandpressroom.net, presidentialelection.ie, idea.int
Frequently asked questions
What is the term length for the Irish president?
The president of Ireland serves a seven-year term. Catherine Connolly was elected in 2025 and will serve until 2032 unless a new election is called.
Can the Irish president be re-elected?
Yes, the president can be re-elected once, for a maximum of two consecutive terms. Michael D. Higgins served two terms (2011–2025).
Who is eligible to vote in the Irish presidential election?
Irish citizens aged 18 or over who are registered on the electoral register are eligible to vote.
How are Irish presidential candidates nominated?
Candidates need either 20 Oireachtas members (TDs or senators), four local authorities, or self-nomination if they have previously served as president.
What is the role of the Electoral Commission in the presidential election?
The Electoral Commission provides voter information, oversees the electoral register, and issues guidance on the conduct of the election.
What happens if no candidate wins a majority in the first count?
The single transferable vote system is used. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed until one candidate reaches the quota.
How did the 2025 election differ from the 2018 election?
The 2025 election featured a female winner for the first time, had only three candidates (compared to five in 2018), and saw marginally higher turnout but a record number of spoiled votes.
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