27/10/2025
Catherine Connolly Elected Tenth President Of Ireland
Catherine Connolly has been elected the Tenth President of Ireland (Uachtarán na hÉireann), following a landslide victory in the election held on Friday, 24 October 2025.
The official result was announced at Dublin Castle shortly before 7.30pm on Saturday, 25 October 2025. Ms Connolly was comfortably elected on the first count, succeeding Michael D. Higgins and becoming the third woman to hold the office.
The former Galway West TD secured 63.4% of the valid votes cast – representing the highest percentage received by any President since the office was established in 1938.
Ms Connolly recorded 914,143 first-preference votes, marking the highest number of first-preference votes ever received by a candidate in Ireland.
The final turnout for the election was 45.8%. The results also showed a historically high number of spoiled votes, accounting for 12.9% of the total poll, or 213,738 votes.
Ms Connolly will be inaugurated as President on Tuesday, 11 November 2025.
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD hailed the result as an "historic election" and a "watershed moment in Irish politics".
Ms McDonald said Ms Connolly deserved huge credit for what she achieved, having presented a positive alternative to the ruling parties. She stated that the people rejected the "jaded politics of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael."
The Sinn Féin Leader noted that the election "put Irish unity centre stage" and added: "It is likely that a referendum on Irish Unity will happen during Catherine's Presidency and the government needs to start preparing for it now."
Ms McDonald confirmed that Ms Connolly has a "positive vision for the Presidency – a neutral Ireland, a united Ireland, a voice for the people, independent of government."
The official result was announced at Dublin Castle shortly before 7.30pm on Saturday, 25 October 2025. Ms Connolly was comfortably elected on the first count, succeeding Michael D. Higgins and becoming the third woman to hold the office.
The former Galway West TD secured 63.4% of the valid votes cast – representing the highest percentage received by any President since the office was established in 1938.
Ms Connolly recorded 914,143 first-preference votes, marking the highest number of first-preference votes ever received by a candidate in Ireland.
Ms Connolly will be inaugurated as President on Tuesday, 11 November 2025.
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD hailed the result as an "historic election" and a "watershed moment in Irish politics".
Ms McDonald said Ms Connolly deserved huge credit for what she achieved, having presented a positive alternative to the ruling parties. She stated that the people rejected the "jaded politics of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael."
The Sinn Féin Leader noted that the election "put Irish unity centre stage" and added: "It is likely that a referendum on Irish Unity will happen during Catherine's Presidency and the government needs to start preparing for it now."
Ms McDonald confirmed that Ms Connolly has a "positive vision for the Presidency – a neutral Ireland, a united Ireland, a voice for the people, independent of government."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 July 2013
Drop In NI Shopper Numbers
In June, shopper numbers in Northern Ireland were 5.9% lower than a year ago, down from a 3.1% decline in May 2013, according to the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). The figures are considerably worse than the whole UK where shopper numbers were up 0.1%. In the UK footfall in June was 0.1% higher than a year ago, up from a 0.
Drop In NI Shopper Numbers
In June, shopper numbers in Northern Ireland were 5.9% lower than a year ago, down from a 3.1% decline in May 2013, according to the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). The figures are considerably worse than the whole UK where shopper numbers were up 0.1%. In the UK footfall in June was 0.1% higher than a year ago, up from a 0.
04 August 2025
Man Charged After Police Officer Dragged By Car In Kilkeel
A 21-year-old man has been charged in connection with an incident in Kilkeel where a police officer was dragged by a moving vehicle and injured. The incident occurred on the Mountain Road on Friday, 1st August. The man has been charged with attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, dangerous driving, and failing to stop for police.
Man Charged After Police Officer Dragged By Car In Kilkeel
A 21-year-old man has been charged in connection with an incident in Kilkeel where a police officer was dragged by a moving vehicle and injured. The incident occurred on the Mountain Road on Friday, 1st August. The man has been charged with attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, dangerous driving, and failing to stop for police.
16 November 2015
SF Hits Out After Hoax Device Left Outside Connolly House
Sinn Féin has hit out at those who left a hoax device at its constituency office in west Belfast. The device was left outside Connolly House on the Andersonstown Road on Sunday night. MP Paul Maskey said it had caused "nothing but disruption" to the entire community.
SF Hits Out After Hoax Device Left Outside Connolly House
Sinn Féin has hit out at those who left a hoax device at its constituency office in west Belfast. The device was left outside Connolly House on the Andersonstown Road on Sunday night. MP Paul Maskey said it had caused "nothing but disruption" to the entire community.
07 November 2012
Robinson And McGuinness Congratulate President Obama
The First and deputy First Minister have congratulated Barack Obama on his re-election to the White House. Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness released a statement today. They said: "We congratulate President Obama on his re-election.
Robinson And McGuinness Congratulate President Obama
The First and deputy First Minister have congratulated Barack Obama on his re-election to the White House. Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness released a statement today. They said: "We congratulate President Obama on his re-election.
04 January 2019
Lotto Jackpot Winners Reveal Plans To Give Away Millions
The identity of a couple from Northern Ireland who landed almost £115million in the EuroMillions jackpot on New Year's Day has been revealed, along with their plans to dish out shares of the fortune to those closest to them.
Lotto Jackpot Winners Reveal Plans To Give Away Millions
The identity of a couple from Northern Ireland who landed almost £115million in the EuroMillions jackpot on New Year's Day has been revealed, along with their plans to dish out shares of the fortune to those closest to them.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.