Who Won the 2025 Irish Presidential Election Results

When the votes were tallied on October 24, 2025, Ireland got something it hadn’t seen in a presidential race before: an independent leftwinger cruising to victory by the widest margin in the nation’s electoral history. Catherine Connolly didn’t just win—she broke records, collecting the highest vote count any Irish candidate has ever received. Here’s everything that happened.

Winner: Catherine Connolly · First Preference Votes: 914,143 (63.36%) · Runner-up: Heather Humphreys (424,987 votes, 29.46%) · Third Place: Jim Gavin · Election Date: 24 Oct 2025

Who won the Irish presidential election 2025?

Catherine Connolly, an independent candidate backed by left-wing parties, won the 2025 Irish presidential election with 63.36% of first-preference votes—equivalent to 914,143 votes. Her margin of victory represents the largest ever recorded in a contested Irish presidential election, surpassing any previous result in the nation’s electoral history.

Catherine Connolly’s victory details

Connolly, a 68-year-old former Leas-Cheann Comhairle (2020-2024) and TD for Galway West, ran a campaign centered on representing all Irish citizens regardless of political affiliation. She received nominations from 79 Oireachtas members across Sinn Féin (45), Labour (12), Social Democrats (12), and smaller parties, signaling broad left-wing coalition support.

Vote percentages and counts

• Catherine Connolly: 914,143 votes (63.36%) — Winner
• Heather Humphreys: 424,987 votes (29.46%) — Runner-up
• Jim Gavin: 103,568 votes (7.18%) — Third place

2025 Irish presidential election candidates

Three candidates appeared on the ballot, though one withdrew before election day. Each candidate carried distinct party affiliations and electoral backgrounds that shaped their campaigns.

Catherine Connolly

Independent candidate with backing from Sinn Féin, Labour, and the Social Democrats. Former Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy Speaker of Dáil Éireann). Known for her pro-Palestinian stance and advocacy for constitutional reform. At 68 years old, she brings decades of parliamentary experience to Áras an Uachtaráin.

Heather Humphreys

Fine Gael’s official nominee, serving as the party’s deputy leader. Former TD for Cavan-Monaghan (2011-2024). Humphreys, from Ireland’s Protestant minority, positioned herself as a unifying figure capable of bridging political divides. She received 55 Oireachtas member nominations from Fine Gael.

Jim Gavin

Former Dublin Gaelic football manager and Fianna Fáil nominee. Despite withdrawing his candidacy on October 5, 2025, his name remained on ballots as per electoral regulations. Gavin received nominations from Fianna Fáil parliamentary members and notably failed to qualify for campaign expense reimbursement, which requires reaching the 12.5% vote threshold.

Irish presidential election 2025 odds

Pre-election betting markets and polling data told a clear story: Connolly entered election day as the frontrunner. Her independent status, combined with cross-party Oireachtas nominations, positioned her well ahead of her rivals.

Pre-election betting odds

While specific pre-election odds data remains limited in available sources, Connolly’s path to victory appeared consistent throughout the campaign period. Political analysts noted that her independent standing—free from coalition government ties—resonated with voters seeking an alternative to establishment candidates.

How odds shifted

The election ultimately became what political scientists described as a “referendum on the government,” with Connolly’s independent status becoming an asset rather than a liability. Professor Eoin O’Malley of University of Dublin noted the election “became a referendum on the government” (Fondation Robert Schuman), explaining the unprecedented margin of victory.

Irish presidential election turnout 2025

Final turnout figures revealed significant variations across constituencies and demographic areas, with some regions showing notably higher engagement than others.

Turnout figures

• National turnout: 45.8% of eligible voters
• Dublin city: 38% — below national average
• Cavan-Monaghan: 55.41% — highest recorded turnout
• Total poll: 1,656,436 votes cast

Comparison to previous elections

The 2025 turnout of 45.83% represents an increase from the 43.87% recorded in the 2018 presidential election, according to Fondation Robert Schuman. This rise occurred despite—some analysts suggest because of—the record number of spoiled ballots.

Irish presidential election 2018 results

Understanding the 2025 result requires looking back at the previous presidential contest, where Michael D. Higgins secured a second term amid a four-candidate field.

2018 winner and votes

Michael D. Higgins was re-elected in 2018 with 55.9% of votes, beginning his second term on October 26, 2018. The 2018 election featured four candidates including Higgins, with a contested second count that ultimately wasn’t needed due to his commanding first-preference lead.

Changes since 2018

The contrast between 2018 and 2025 is stark. Higgins won with 55.9% against multiple candidates; Connolly secured 63.36% against just two opponents (one of whom withdrew). The 2018 spoiled ballot rate of 1.2% contrasts sharply with 2025’s 12.9%—suggesting fundamentally different voter dynamics, according to Fondation Robert Schuman.

Regional results breakdown

Beyond the national picture, regional variations reveal where each candidate performed strongest and weakest across Ireland’s constituencies.

• Connolly strongest: Cork North-Central (67.79%), Cork East (65.18%), Carlow-Kilkenny (60.99%), Clare (60.71%)
• Humphreys strongest: Cavan-Monaghan (58.75%) — notably her home constituency
• Regional spoiler rates: Carlow-Kilkenny 12.51%, Clare 11.87%

The pattern suggests Connolly performed strongest in urban and suburban constituencies, while Humphreys maintained support in her traditional rural stronghold. The high spoiled ballot rates in both constituencies align with reports that conservative groups encouraged ballot spoiling in areas with limited right-wing options.

What happens next

With Connolly officially declared winner, attention turns to the transition process and her formal assumption of presidential duties.

• Connolly becomes Ireland’s 10th president, succeeding Michael D. Higgins (who served since 2011)
• Inauguration ceremony scheduled before year-end 2025
• Connolly pledged to be “president for all” in her victory remarks
• The presidency remains ceremonial, elected every 7 years under Irish constitutional framework

Official results have been confirmed on presidentialelection.ie, the official election results portal. The Electoral Commission provides oversight for presidential elections under Irish law.

Election context and significance

The 2025 Irish presidential election occurred in a unique political context. Michael D. Higgins, the incumbent, was term-limited after two terms (2011-2025). His departure created an open contest that became entangled with broader questions about government performance and political representation.

The presidency in Ireland is largely ceremonial—representing the nation, exercising certain reserved powers, and serving as a symbol of unity. However, the 2025 contest demonstrated that even ceremonial offices can become referendums on political establishments, particularly when voters feel disconnected from mainstream party options.

“Catherine Connolly is the clear winner. The election became a referendum on the government.”

— Professor Eoin O’Malley, University of Dublin

“The big news, and the bad news for all parties, is the number of people who will invalidate their votes, which could be as high as 10%.”

— Professor Eoin O’Malley, University of Dublin

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Catherine Connolly swept to victory with nearly two-thirds of first-preference votes, as shown in the 2025 election results breakdown, amid a contest that became a referendum on government parties.

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