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As it happened

As it happened: Catherine Connolly will be the 10th President of Ireland

The victory is one of historic proportions.
8.00am, 25 Oct 2025
179k
232

LAST UPDATE | 25 Oct

CATHERINE CONNOLLY WILL be the next Uachtarán na hÉireann.

The victory is one of historic proportions.

The Presidential Returning Officer has announced that Connolly got 914,143 votes, or around 63% of the total valid poll.

The quota was 721,354, which she flew past.

There were 213,738 invalid – or ‘spoiled’ – votes.

Humphreys, who received 424,987 votes, appeared magnanimous in defeat as the results were read out in Dublin Castle.

- Updates from Mairead Maguire, Jane Moore, Andrew Walsh, Diarmuid Pepper and The Journal team

25 Oct 8:02AM

Here we go – counting is set to get under way this morning, with ballot boxes due to open at 9am across 32 count centres around the country. 

We’ll be bringing you updates throughout the day as votes are sorted, tallies emerge, and the first official results begin to come in.

25 Oct 8:11AM

So just how soon will we find out the result of the first count?

It’s hard to tell – given the low turnout and the fact that there were only three candidates, it may be a quick enough process.

First count results are usually available by late afternoon, with the national total announced later that evening.

Presidential voting-3_90736686 Rolling News Rolling News

A lower turnout and fewer candidates could speed things up, but early tallies will still offer the best indication of how the election is unfolding.

If the turnout is similar to what it was in 2018 – and most indications point to a low turnout – we could know who the next president will be by around 7pm this evening or even earlier.

25 Oct 8:20AM

In case you missed it yesterday, some voters in Co Tipperary cast their ballots at a polling station in a private home, where they were treated to apple and rhubarb tarts with tea or coffee after voting.

vote house James Seymour James Seymour

The house, run by local man Séan O’Donovan, has been used for years when no public building was available, and the tradition even includes a bit of music once the ballot box is collected.

It’s said to have a very high turnout — and the rhubarb tart is popular too.

pies James Seymour James Seymour

25 Oct 8:23AM

Looking to catch up on all the presidential election news ahead of the count today?

Check out our election centre here.

Election Centre

25 Oct 8:38AM

Dublin City’s count centre at the RDS is still relatively quiet this morning.

IMG_6312 Emma Hickey / The Journal Emma Hickey / The Journal / The Journal

Counting is due to begin in less than half an hour at the site.

IMG_6309 Emma Hickey / The Journal Emma Hickey / The Journal / The Journal

25 Oct 8:46AM

So what was the turnout like yesterday?

Quite low it seems, possibly even historically so.

While there were some outliers (the townland of Darver, Co Louth clocked an impressive 73% turnout), many polling stations nationwide struggled to surpass 40% turnout.

Turnout in Dublin City was just 38.12% of the electorate.

We won’t know the total nationwide turnout until official figures become available later today.

25 Oct 9:01AM

It’s 9am – meaning ballot boxes are now being opened in the 32 count centres across the country.

Counting will get underway shortly after.

25 Oct 9:08AM

Here’s a picture of one of the blank tally sheets that RDS count staff are working with for the count.

As well as columns for Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys, there are also (albeit smaller) columns for Jim Gavin and spoiled votes.

Screenshot (150) Emma Hickey / The Journal Emma Hickey / The Journal / The Journal

25 Oct 9:15AM

Counting is also underway at the Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork, where ballot boxes have now been opened.

IMG_5533 (1) Niall O'Connor / The Journal Niall O'Connor / The Journal / The Journal

Local Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire was spotted keeping an eye on the tally this morning.

IMG_5540 (2) Niall O'Connor / The Journal Niall O'Connor / The Journal / The Journal

25 Oct 9:19AM

In Cork and Dublin, the story seems to be the same – it’s going for Connolly.

 

IMG_6331 Emma Hickey / The Journal Emma Hickey / The Journal / The Journal

There also appears to be a significant number of spoiled votes in some electoral areas.

25 Oct 9:20AM

Here’s a very polite spoiled vote in Dublin.

25 Oct 9:27AM

It’s bad news for Humphreys – in some of the boxes tallied so far, she’s tracking behind the total number of spoiled votes (and well behind Catherine Connolly).

25 Oct 9:28AM

Emma Hickey is reporting from the count centre in Dublin:

One tally woman at Dublin Bay North told The Journal that Connolly is well ahead over the two boxes tallied so far.

On spoiled votes, she said, “The level of spoiled votes – I’ve never seen anything like it. People writing all over [the ballot] and the level of vitriol coming off it.”

Some ballots are simply X-ed or have things like “No candidate represents me”, “Spoiled”, or have previous hopeful candidates such as Maria Steen and Nick Delehanty written in.

Others have long messages and curse words written down the paper.

“I’ve tallied four elections now and this is different to anything I’ve seen before,” she said.

25 Oct 9:36AM

Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Labour leader Ivana Bacik described early results as “incredibly positive” for Catherine Connolly.

She shared that in her own constituency, Dublin Bay South, one box she tallied showed 68% of first-preference votes for Connolly, with spoilt votes far behind.

Bacik praised Connolly and her campaign team, saying the “energy and momentum” of the campaign had been phenomenal and suggested the result points to a “resounding victory” for Connolly and her vision.

25 Oct 9:40AM

Fine Gael TD and Enterprise Minister Peter Burke paid tribute to Heather Humphreys’ campaign on RTÉ Radio, calling her “a very genuine, warm person” who stepped into the race at short notice.

He also acknowledged Catherine Connolly and the movement behind her campaign.

On why Humphreys didn’t win, he noted the election was unusual, with a small field and last-minute changes, and said a review will follow internally.

He also highlighted that Fine Gael was the “only party to put forward a candidate”.

25 Oct 9:45AM

Here’s a ballot from Ballymun in Dublin, where, surprisingly, they are keeping track of the total number of votes for Nick Delehanty and Maria Steen - both of whom sought nominations but were not on the ballot yesterday.

Catherine Connolly is well ahead of Heather Humphreys here.

IMG_6336 Emma Hickey / The Journal Emma Hickey / The Journal / The Journal

25 Oct 9:46AM

Here’s a breakdown of how the votes in Cork are going so far.

25 Oct 9:52AM

Discussion has already moved to Catherine Connolly’s replacement in the Dáil.

Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy told RTÉ Radio that the party will “almost certainly” be running a candidate in the upcoming by-election in Galway West.

He described it as an opportunity to challenge the politics of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

“there has been an arrogance that has just encompassed Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael,” Carthy said.

“It was seen in terms of how they formed government with Michael Lowry, how they approached this presidential campaign, and how they managed to provide a budget that offered no supports to people who are suffering as a result of the cost of living.”

Carthy also noted the significant number of spoilt votes in yesterday’s count, highlighting public frustration.

25 Oct 10:02AM

Here’s some pictures from the count centre at Punchestown Racecourse in Co Kildare, where counting is well underway.

a-ballot-box-is-emptied-as-counting-begins-at-the-punchestown-racecourse-county-kildare-in-irelands-presidential-election-to-replace-michael-d-higgins-who-has-served-the-maximum-two-seven-year-ter Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

a-ballot-box-is-emptied-as-counting-begins-at-the-punchestown-racecourse-county-kildare-in-irelands-presidential-election-to-replace-michael-d-higgins-who-has-served-the-maximum-two-seven-year-ter

25 Oct 10:16AM

Connolly told reporters at her local count centre in Galway West that she is “absolutely delighted” with the results so far.

“We came together on behalf of a new vision for the country, and we should be proud to represent the public on this, when it comes to housing and peace,” Connolly said.

“And what I’ve learned is, people are looking for hope from me.”

And I will put hope into people again and I have to say to them, the office is for you. I am only a symbol of the new movement.

“I am incredibly hopeful that this movement will continue, and I have no doubt about that,” Connolly added.

She also thanked her supporters.

“Actually, I want to thank everybody, even those that didn’t vote for me,” Connolly said.

“I understand their concerns in relation to who will represent them best, and I will do my utmost to represent everyone.”

25 Oct 10:21AM

Our reporter Emma Hickey reports that Connolly is still well ahead in Dublin.

There is also conversation among the tally staff about spoiled votes, some of which have been described as aggressive, while others were said to be funny or innocuous.

On one spoiled vote, someone had glued a picture of their dog Honey to the bottom of the ballot (and marked Honey number one).

25 Oct 10:29AM

It was all smiles when Catherine Connolly arrived at the count centre in Galway this morning.

25 Oct 10:37AM

The Journal’s Political Editor Christina Finn reports:

Fine Gaelers are privately conceding this morning with many at the tallies around the country saying it is 2:1 to Connolly with a large amount of spoiled votes also.

Those The Journal spoke to so far today say the writing was in the wall for the last week for the Humphreys campaign.

They said it became clear that Connolly had built up a momentum in her campaign and that there also seemed to be an anti-government element to it post-budget, which one TD said it was almost like a “perfect storm”.

Some have mentioned Fianna Fáil, stating that once Jim Gavin left the race they believe the party tuned out and didn’t turn up.

“We all knew when Jim pulled out it was near impossible,” they said, stating that their biggest source of transfers pulled out.

25 Oct 10:38AM

25 Oct 10:52AM

In Dublin Bay South, Connolly boasts a commanding lead of Humphreys, with the candidates currently tallying on 51% and 32% respectively.

Jim Gavin is current on 6%,while spoiled votes are tracing at around 11%.

25 Oct 10:59AM

We now have more figures from across Dublin.

Dublin North West (60% tallied)

Catherine Connolly – 59%

Heather Humphreys – 12%

Jim Gavin – 6%

Spoiled votes – 23%

Dublin Central (73% tallied)

Catherine Connolly – 74.5%

Heather Humphreys – 19%

Jim Gavin – 6.1%

Spoiled votes (not included)

25 Oct 11:11AM

A Manchester United fan appears to have been hoping for a new job for the team’s centre back…

 

25 Oct 11:19AM

Labour’s Ciarán Ahern has said that while it’s still early days, they’re really pleased with how it’s looking for Catherine Connolly at the moment. 

“We’re really proud of the campaign. We ran it in a positive way,” he told RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan, adding that they had 15,000 volunteers knocking on doors for Connolly over the last few months. 

Also speaking to Miriam, Fine Gael general secretary John Carroll congratulated Connolly on her campaign. He said Fine Gael contested the election “because the presidency matters”.  

Asked if it was a mistake not to have an internal contest within the party, Carroll says the party had a process and Humphreys came through that process. 

He also denied that there was a smear campaign by Fine Gael against Connolly, saying that he had looked through the party’s content and that not one piece of content that they have produced has been slanderous or untrue.

25 Oct 11:28AM

655Dail Scenes_90723940 Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

Aontú’s Peadar Tóibín has congratulated Catherine Connolly, saying she fought very well and created a really good contest. 

But he said one of the big headline issues is the number of spoiled votes.

“In many ways, if that vote is higher than the vote for Heather Humphreys, it is a political earthquake,” he told RTÉ’s David McCullagh in the last few minutes. 

He said it’s “incredible” that so many have taken the time “to launch a protest to the political system today”. 

He also accused the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil leaders of “engineering this” and “putting their party interests over the democratic interests of this country”.

Fine Gael instructed its councillors across the country to oppose the nomination of Independent candidates for the presidential election.

Fianna Fáil’s National Executive decided that no party whip should apply to its councillors and left the door open for them to nominate independents. Taoiseach Micheál Martin had said he trusted councillors to support Jim Gavin – before he dropped out of the race. 

25 Oct 11:31AM

Of course, if Catherine Connolly is heading for the Áras, there will need to be a by-election in her Galway West constituency. 

With this morning’s tallies putting her well on course for victory, Virgin Media’s Gavan Reilly says people are already wondering who might run for her seat. 

25 Oct 11:39AM

Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has been speaking to our reporter Niall O’Connor at the Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork.

He says Connolly’s likely victory reflects “the really positive campaign” that she ran. 

“I think it resonated with people and I think you can see the results of that.”

25 Oct 11:43AM

According to this polling day poll from Ireland Thinks, it appears that more than half of those who voted for Heather Humphreys did so at least in part to stop Catherine Connolly from winning. 

25 Oct 11:46AM

A fully tally in Meath West puts Connolly at 52%. 

25 Oct 11:50AM

Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer tells our reporter Niall O’Connor in Cork that it is “a disappointing day” for the party. 

He thanked Heather Humphreys but said “her campaign fell short”, adding that Fine Gael will have to reflect on what went wrong for them “but today is Catherine Connolly’s day”. 

25 Oct 11:51AM

Heather Humphreys is, as expected, ahead in her home constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, according to Northern Sound. 

With 200 of 260 boxes tallied there, Humphreys is on 57%, Catherine Connolly on 39% and Jim Gavin on 3%. 

12% are spoilt votes.

25 Oct 11:54AM

A final tally in Dublin Mid-West suggests there were more spoiled votes than votes for either Heather Humphreys or Jim Gavin there. 

25 Oct 12:02PM

25 Oct 12:09PM

164Presidential Count_90736758 Labour leader Ivana Bacik in Dublin Castle this morning. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

Labour leader Ivana Bacik has been speaking to RTÉ from the RDS. She says it’s looking like “an L word” – a landslide – for Catherine Connolly. 

“From the moment the boxes opened here, you could see such strong support for Catherine,” she says. 

Bacik says Connolly has done “an incredible job” at rallying people who might not have identified with any party and were inspired “by her vision that an alternative politics is possible”.

“I do think today could mark the beginning of a new momentum towards that centre-left government” at the next election, she adds. 

25 Oct 12:29PM

Ireland Votes has been reporting the full tally results from Dublin and some constituencies around the country.

Galway West:

Connolly – 77%

Humphreys – 18%

Gavin – 5%

Spoiled votes – Around 10%

Longford-Westmeath:

Connolly – 58.2%

Humphreys – 34.6%

Gavin – 7.2%

Spoiled votes – around 15%

Dublin Central:

Connolly – 74%

Humphreys – 20%

Gavin – 6%

Spoiled votes – around 17%

Dublin Rathdown:

Connolly – 51%

Humphreys – 40%

Gavin – 9%

Spoiled votes – around 7%

Dublin Bay-South:

Connolly – 53%

Humphreys – 39%

Gavin – 7%

Spoiled votes – around 8%

Dublin Fingal East:

Connolly – 59.7%

Humphreys – 29.5%

Gavin- 10.7%

Spoiled votes – around 11%

Dublin West:

Connolly – 63%

Humphreys – 27%

Gavin – 9%

Spoiled votes – around 14%

25 Oct 12:39PM

Our reporter Niall O’Connor has the final tally results from Cork North Central and Cork South Central:

25 Oct 12:41PM

Over half of the votes tallied from one box in Tallaght were spoiled, according to RTÉ’s Barry Lenihan. 

25 Oct 12:46PM

144Presidential Count_90736737 A spoiled ballot in the RDS this morning. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

Our reporter Emma Hickey has more on the sheer number of spoiled votes.

Read the full piece here.

25 Oct 12:50PM

Singer Mary Coughlan, who supported Catherine Connolly’s campaign, has been speaking to Brendan O’Connor on RTÉ Radio 1. 

Coughlan says it’s “such an overwhelming feeling” to be from Shantalla, the Independent candidate’s hometown, and for her to likely be heading to the Áras. 

She says they went to the same national school, but adds that she never thought that she might be president.

“It just means that anybody can be anything,” she says, adding that she’s “so happy”. 

25 Oct 12:55PM

162Presidential Count_90736755 People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy at the RDS this morning. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has claimed Catherine Connolly will win “by the biggest margin ever of any presidential election.”

Speaking to the PA news agency at Dublin Castle, Murphy described the election as “historic” adding this will be the “first national election where the left will have won over 50% of votes on first preferences”.

Reacting to reports large numbers of ballots were spoiled, he said: “There is going to be a challenge for everybody in politics, but I would say for the left in particular, that there is a group of people who are very disaffected, very alienated, very angry at the political system.”

He said he did not think it was a “moral failing” to spoil votes, saying it is a “legitimate choice that people can make”.

25 Oct 1:04PM

Voting isn’t as straightforward as you might think for some areas of the country.

Yesterday morning, the Coast Guard coordination centre at Malin Head coordinated a request from Mayo County Council to transfer a ballot box to Inishbiggle Island ahead of the presidential election.

If you’re wondering where Inishbiggle – or Inis Bigil – is, the island lies between the mainland and Achill island.

The Achill Coast Guard boat transported a Garda with the ballot box to the island at 8.15am yesterday. 

Just after 6pm, the Achill crew repeated the operation, returning the election box to the mainland under Garda supervision.

unnamed Irish Coast Guard Irish Coast Guard

25 Oct 1:10PM

We’ve had wedding rings being found in ballot boxes before, but one supporter of Maria Steen (and her well-publicised Hermes handbag) has taken it a step further…

25 Oct 1:15PM

We reported earlier that Peadar Tóibín told RTÉ that the number of spoiled votes was “incredible” today.

The Aontú leader has since told reporters that he spoiled his own vote. 

Speaking at the RDS Simmonscourt count centre, Tóibín said: “I’m going to be brutally honest with you, and I feel weird even saying this, I spoiled my vote yesterday.”

He said he drew three Xs beside the candidates and wrote in Maria Steen’s name instead. 

“I felt really strange doing it, I felt in some way that it was nearly wrong doing it, but I had no choice in that ballot yesterday at all.

I had no way to exercise a political choice and I wanted to protest that.

25 Oct 1:34PM

Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan has been speaking to our reporter Niall O’Connor in Cork. 

He says the government parties “need to be humble” and that both party leaders “need to listen to the electorate”.

“I think if this election is anything to go by, it’s that the Irish electorate doesn’t respond to negative campaigning at all.”

25 Oct 1:49PM

Ireland Thinks has some more interesting results from their polling day poll. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, over half of Connolly voters said they would vote for a left-alliance of Sinn Féin, Social Democrats, Labour and People Before Profit at the next election. 

02480049-7b23-4643-99b7-3946921fe3df_1267x838 Ireland Thinks Ireland Thinks

Over 60% of Connolly voters said the President should regularly criticise the government where they feel it necessary to do so, compared to 15% of Humphreys voters and 25% of Gavin voters. Almost three quarters (73%) of those who spoiled their votes agreed with this. 

66cf1b6f-9152-47ae-a1b7-0bfd01fcd26b_1263x826 Ireland Thinks Ireland Thinks

Voters were also asked which of the following was most important to them when choosing which candidate to back, with the option to choose two. The results are below.

2c7703aa-626b-4922-b9f0-0f96d53ed195_1554x732 Ireland Thinks Ireland Thinks

25 Oct 2:04PM
Heather Humphreys concedes

4 FILE PHOTO CATHERINE CONNOLLY_90736763 Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys at the RTÉ Prime Time debate earlier this week. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

Heather Humphreys has conceded the election.

Speaking to RTÉ, she congratulated Catherine Connolly on “becoming the next President of Ireland”.

“Catherine will be a president for all of us and she will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best.

“I have absolutely not one regret.”

We have more here. 

25 Oct 2:10PM

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has congratulated Catherine Connolly as Gaeilge, saying that she stood for election early and built a large and diverse campaign. 

He also had some words for Heather Humphreys, saying that she could “hold her head high”. 

25 Oct 2:12PM

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has also extended his congratulations to Catherine Connolly. 

“She will be President for all this country and for all of us. I wish her every success,” he said. 

He thanked Heather Humphreys for her efforts, adding that he was proud of her.

25 Oct 2:38PM

The first constituency count is in – and it’s from Cork South Central.

Catherine Connolly – 27,750 (64.58%)

Heather Humphreys – 12,111 (28.23%)

Jim Gavin – 3,044 (7.09%)

Spoiled votes – 4,935 (10.3%)

Total poll – 47,840

Turnout – 46.3%

25 Oct 2:54PM

First count: Dún Laoghaire

Catherine Connolly - 21,138 (51.8%)

Heather Humphreys – 16,358 (40.1%)

Jim Gavin - 3,325 (8.1%)

Spoiled votes – 3,468 (7.8%)

Total poll - 44,289

Turnout – 47.6%

25 Oct 2:57PM

First count: Dublin South-West

Catherine Connolly – 28,079 (63%)

Heather Humphreys – 12,375 (27.8%)

Jim Gavin – 4,084 (9.2%)

Spoiled votes – 7,537 (14.5%)

Total poll – 52,075

Turnout – 46.01%

25 Oct 2:59PM

First count: Dublin West

Catherine Connolly – 18,528 (64%)

Heather Humphreys – 7,756 (26.8%)

Jim Gavin – 2,676 (9.2%)

Spoiled votes – 4,438 (13.3%)

Total poll – 33,398

Turnout – 43.34%

25 Oct 3:04PM

First count: Cork East

Catherine Connolly – 20,123 (65.2%)

Heather Humphreys – 8,717 (28.2%)

Jim Gavin – 2,031 (6.6%)

Spoiled votes – 4,672 (13.1%)

Total poll – 35,543

Turnout – 43.08%

25 Oct 3:07PM

First count: Offaly

Catherine Connolly – 14,240 (62.5%)

Heather Humphreys – 6,593 (29%)

Jim Gavin – 1,929 (8.5%)

Spoiled votes – 4,870 (17.4%)

Total poll –27,632

Turnout – 44.65%

25 Oct 3:09PM

First count: Louth

Catherine Connolly – 28,006 (68.65%)

Heather Humphreys – 10,711 (26.26%)

Jim Gavin – 2,078 (5.09%)

Spoiled votes – 7,783 (16%)

Total poll – 48,577

Turnout – 47.1%

25 Oct 3:14PM

First count: Cork North-Central

Catherine Connolly – 25,402 (67.79%)

Heather Humphreys – 9,678 (25.83%)

Jim Gavin – 2,391 (6.38%)

Spoiled votes – 6,215 (14.2%)

Total poll – 43,686

Turnout – 42.8%

25 Oct 3:17PM
Keane for President

He’s famed for his t-shirt collection and today is no different as counter Cian O’Connor sports a Roy Keane tee.

IMG_5560 Cian O’Connor. Niall O'Connor / The Journal Niall O'Connor / The Journal / The Journal

Here’s the t-shirt he sported last time out.

download (5) Cian O'Connor wearing one of his novelty t-shirts at the count centre in Cork. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

25 Oct 3:21PM

The results are now coming in pretty quickly, but it will be later this evening before we have a full national count.

First count: Meath West

Catherine Connolly – 15,477 (64.02%)

Heather Humphreys – 7,015 (29.02%)

Jim Gavin – 1,684 (6.97%)

Spoiled votes – 4,560 (15.9%)

Total poll – 28,736

Turnout – 44.26%

25 Oct 3:27PM
The Candidate podcast

News from The Journal’s podcast studio: the politics team has just released a new episode of The Candidate.

They examine how Catherine Connolly’s imminent win and the scale of the spoiled votes means the real story of this election is protest.

Also: how did Fine Gael get it so very, very wrong?

Listen and subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 14-45-20 The Journal

25 Oct 3:30PM
Independent Ireland reaction

Michael Collins, leader of Independent Ireland, has congratulated Connolly on her election win.

He said she is an “honest and fair representative deeply committed to public service”.

He added that Independent Ireland’s focus now turns to the Galway West bye-election, which he described as “a real test of the Government’s record and the strength of democracy in Ireland.”

“The reality is that huge numbers of people stayed at home during this election, and the level of spoiled votes tells its own story,” he said.

“It’s clear that many citizens are frustrated with this Government and the establishment parties — they don’t feel represented or listened to.”

He said the Galway West bye-election offers an opportunity to give those voters a voice.

“I see this bye-election as a referendum on the Government’s performance,” said Collins.

25 Oct 3:33PM
Taoiseach's diary

Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will not be in attendance in Dublin Castle for the official declaration of Connolly’s win.

A spokesperson told Virgin Media that he’s staying in Cork today.

25 Oct 3:40PM

First count: Dublin Fingal West

Catherine Connolly – 13,853 (67.96%)

Heather Humphreys – 4,659 (22.86%)

Jim Gavin – 1,873 (9.19%)

Spoiled votes – 3,119 (13.3%)

Total poll – 23,504

Turnout – 46.53%

25 Oct 3:43PM
SDLP reaction

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna has congratulated Connolly and also extended her best wishes to Heather Humphreys.

She also commended Humphreys for her “commitment to reconciliation and to focused dialogue about the future of this island”.

“The SDLP believes President Connolly can use her term to provide a platform for honest discussion about a New Ireland,” said Hanna.

“This conversation is not going away, and the President has a unique convening role in helping to shape it.

“We welcome President Connolly’s remarks about her relationship with the North and would urge her to do everything possible to ensure this is the final time Irish citizens here are unable to vote in a presidential election.”

25 Oct 3:47PM

First count: Dublin Fingal East

Catherine Connolly – 15,851 (61.25%)

Heather Humphreys – 7,424 (28.69%)

Jim Gavin – 2,606 (10.07%)

Spoiled votes – 3,098 (13.3%)

Total poll – 28,979

Turnout – 47.34%

25 Oct 3:49PM

First count: Laois

Catherine Connolly – 15,814 (65.12%)

Heather Humphreys – 6,775 (27.9%)

Jim Gavin – 1,694 (6.98%)

Spoiled votes – 4,156 

Total poll – 28,439

Turnout – 43.88%

25 Oct 3:52PM

First count: Meath East

Catherine Connolly – 20,772 (62.63%)

Heather Humphreys – 9,896 (29.84%)

Jim Gavin – 2,498 (7.53%)

Spoiled votes – 5,512 (14.3%)

Total poll – 38,678

Turnout – 46.42%

25 Oct 3:54PM

First count: Cork South-West

Catherine Connolly – 18,350 (59.64%)

Heather Humphreys – 10,120 (32.89%)

Jim Gavin – 2,296 (7.46%)

Spoiled votes – 3,562 (10.4%)

Total poll – 34,328

Turnout – 48.11%

25 Oct 3:55PM

First count: Tipperary North

Catherine Connolly – 16,259 (58.01%)

Heather Humphreys – 9,217 (32.89%)

Jim Gavin – 2,551 (9.1%)

Spoiled votes – 3,999

Total poll – 32,026

Turnout – 46.98%

25 Oct 3:57PM

First count: Tipperary South

Catherine Connolly – 15,563 (61.66%)

Heather Humphreys – 7,793 (30.88%)

Jim Gavin – 1,883 (7.46%)

Spoiled votes – 3,889 (13.4)

Total poll – 29,128

Turnout – 44.16%

25 Oct 3:58PM

First count: Longford-Westmeath

Catherine Connolly – 22,656 (58.72%)

Heather Humphreys – 13,162 (34.11%)

Jim Gavin – 2,766 (7.17%)

Spoiled votes – 6,810 (15%)

Total poll – 45,394

Turnout – 43.81%

25 Oct 3:59PM

First count: Kerry

Catherine Connolly – 28,807 (62.98%)

Heather Humphreys – 13,568 (29.66%)

Jim Gavin – 3,364 (7.35%)

Spoiled votes – 7,101 (13.4%)

Total poll – 52,840

Turnout – 44.83%

25 Oct 4:06PM

First count: Galway East

Catherine Connolly – 26,631 (72.75%)

Heather Humphreys – 7,858 (21.47%)

Jim Gavin – 2,116 (5.78%)

Spoiled votes – 5,250

Total poll – 41,855

Turnout – 48.39%

25 Oct 4:12PM

mid wsat The Journal The Journal

25 Oct 4:19PM
Midway mark

Just over half of the constituencies have now completed their first count, with the results in from 23 of the 43 constituencies. 

Nationwide, Connolly has 63.6% of the votes, with Heather Humphreys on 28.9%.

Jim Gavin, the Fianna Fáil candidate who withdrew from the election, has 7.52 of the vote nationwide.

Meanwhile, there’s been a huge surge in spoiled ballots, currently sitting on 117,119.

25 Oct 4:26PM

Tánaiste Simon Harris has been speaking to reporters at Dublin Castle in the last few minutes. 

25 Oct 4:27PM

The latest from Niall at Nemo Rangers…

25 Oct 4:29PM

The Fine Gael leader says there was a dynamic to this election that was very different to what the party were expecting and planning for, adding that nobody expected there to be only two candidates. 

25 Oct 4:35PM
Taoiseach congratulates Connolly

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has congratulated Catherine Connolly “on what will be a very comprehensive election victory”. 

“Catherine ran a successful and impactful campaign. She has secured a clear mandate to represent the people of Ireland as Uachtarán na hÉireann over the next seven years,” the Fianna Fail leader said. 

The people have made their choice, and I have no doubt Catherine Connolly will serve the country well.

He said as Taoiseach, he looks forward “to working with the new President in the time ahead as Ireland continues to play a significant role on the global stage, and as we look forward to hosting the EU Presidency in the second half of 2026″. 

Martin continued: “I also pay tribute to the other candidates who put themselves forward for election, Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin.

“It takes great courage to put yourself forward for the highest office in the land, and both are people with a long history of public service and community involvement.”

25 Oct 4:36PM

wicklow The Journal The Journal

25 Oct 4:53PM

You might be aware that Ireland and the Ivory Coast – or Côte d’Ivoire – have very similar flags (our tricolour is green, white and orange, while theirs is orange, white and green). 

As it turns out, they’re voting in their own presidential election today. 

ivory-coast-president-alassane-ouattara-casts-his-vote-at-a-polling-station-during-the-presidential-elections-in-abidjan-ivory-coast-saturday-oct-25-2025-ap-photomisper-apawu Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara casts his vote at a polling station during the presidential elections in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

electoral-officials-check-names-of-voters-during-the-presidential-elections-at-a-polling-station-in-cocody-ivory-coast-saturday-oct-25-2025-ap-photodiomande-ble-blonde Electoral officials check names of voters during the Presidential elections at a polling station in Cocody, Ivory Coast. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

25 Oct 4:59PM

Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has told our reporter Niall O’Connor that the party has to accept that what has happened “was disastrous”.

Kelleher, who sought the party’s nomination for the presidency, said Fianna Fáil “have to really assess how we ended up where we did”. 

He said he believes if there had been an internal process to select the candidate, the results could have been different. 

25 Oct 5:03PM

We reported earlier that a spokesperson for Taoiseach Micheál Martin told Virgin Media that he was staying in Cork today. 

Well, he seems to have changed his mind. He’s on his way to Dublin Castle. 

25 Oct 5:08PM

Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher tells our reporter Niall O’Connor what he would’ve done differently if he was running the party’s campaign. 

25 Oct 5:10PM

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has arrived at Dublin Castle. 

She told reporters that the party were “delighted” to work with the rest of the opposition and brought “energy and momentum” to Catherine Connolly’s campaign. 

25 Oct 5:14PM

Galway West

The results are in from Catherine Connolly’s constituency of Galway West and – well, she’s cleaned up.

She received over 70% of the votes cast, which rises even higher when spoiled votes are excluded. 

25 Oct 5:16PM

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has been speaking to reporters outside Dublin Castle alongside her party in the last few minutes. 

25 Oct 5:25PM

As we wait for the first counts from 11 constituencies, here’s some photos of the Tánaiste and opposition parties arriving at Dublin Castle. 

tanaiste-simon-harris-arriving-at-dublin-castle-for-the-count-at-dublin-caste-in-irelands-presidential-election-to-replace-michael-d-higgins-who-has-served-the-maximum-two-seven-year-terms-picture Tánaiste Simon Harris. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

180Presidential Count_90736788 Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald alongside other party members. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

holly-cairns-leader-of-the-social-democrats-takes-a-selfie-with-rory-hearne-as-she-arrives-at-dublin-castle-for-the-count-at-dublin-caste-in-irelands-presidential-election-to-replace-michael-d-hig Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns taking a selfie with the party's housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

177Presidential Count_90736785 Labour leader Ivana Bacik speaking to the media. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

25 Oct 5:37PM

181Presidential Count_90736789 Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

Mary Lou McDonald told reporters outside Dublin Castle that Catherine Connolly’s campaign needed Sinn Féin’s support.

“Sinn Féin arrived at the moment where momentum had to be established and built, and we achieved with others precisely that,” she said. 

Asked if Connolly had needed her party’s support, McDonald said:

Yes, I think the campaign needed every element of it, and for Sinn Féin as the largest political party, of course it was a significant element of the campaign.

“And I think Catherine has asserted quite correctly that she is an independent candidate, a woman with a very independent mind. But I think she has repeatedly acknowledged all of the constituent parts of the campaign and the importance of it.”

25 Oct 5:48PM

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It won’t come as much of a surprise that Heather Humphreys has topped the poll in her home constituency of Cavan-Monaghan.

What is quite stark is that it is the only constituency that she has won so far. 

25 Oct 5:50PM

As we approach 6pm, there have been 169,307 spoiled votes counted. 

We’re still waiting for the first counts from nine constituencies. These are:

  • Carlow-Kilkenny
  • Dublin Bay North
  • Dublin Bay South
  • Dublin Central
  • Dublin North-West
  • Dublin South-Central
  • Kildare South
  • Waterford
  • Wicklow-Wexford
25 Oct 5:58PM

One person’s theory on the confusion about the Taoiseach’s plans today.

He shouldn’t be too far away from Dublin Castle now…

25 Oct 6:20PM

Catherine Connolly has just arrived at Dublin Castle to cheers and applause. 

25 Oct 6:32PM

Heather Humphreys has also arrived at Dublin Castle. 

heather-humphreys-with-helen-mcentee-left-and-tanaiste-simon-harris-at-dublin-castle-for-the-count-at-dublin-caste-in-irelands-presidential-election-to-replace-michael-d-higgins-who-has-served-the Heather Humphreys alongside Tánaiste Simon Harris and Education Minister Helen McEntee. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

25 Oct 6:41PM

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has also arrived at Dublin Castle. 

Speaking to RTÉ, he said the number of spoiled votes ”is a concern that we have to delve into a bit more and analyze a bit more”. 

He said the Government “would be open to enabling people to get nominated perhaps in a more easier manner”. 

25 Oct 6:51PM

Screenshot 2025-10-25 185015

The result from Kildare South sees another victory for Catherine Connolly.

There are just two constituencies to go: Dublin North-West and Waterford. 

25 Oct 7:01PM

Our Political Editor Christina Finn says the opposition parties have all greeted Heather Humphreys in Dublin Castle. 

25 Oct 7:07PM

The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland has congratulated Connelly on her pending victory and wished her “every success in her service to the nation”.

“The Presidency represents all the people of Ireland, it is a symbol of unity, conscience, and compassion. We trust that these enduring values will continue to guide the President’s leadership and inspire confidence at home and abroad,” they said.

“The Jewish community in Ireland looks forward to working constructively with the President, as we have with her predecessors, in fostering mutual respect, understanding, and the flourishing of all communities that make up the fabric of Irish life.”

25 Oct 7:09PM

Connolly’s supporters, political and personal, are looking chuffed as they await the official result. 

25 Oct 7:26PM

Connolly, appearing overwhelmed for perhaps the first time since she began campaigning, took a breath before beginning her victory speech as Gaeilge.

She said she will be a president for everyone in the country, even those who didn’t vote for her.

She also said it wasn’t easy for her opponent Heather Humphreys, congratulating her on her campaign.

Connolly said she’d be having a gin and elderflower with Humphreys later.

25 Oct 7:29PM

Our Political Editor Christina Finn is watching the victory speech live at Dublin Castle.

Connolly was briefly joined on stage by Heather Humphreys, as well as Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, and Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin.

25 Oct 7:33PM

Up next is Humphreys.

She’s all smiles and appears magnanimous in defeat.

“I know that Catherine will be a president for all of us. Uachtarán do gach duine,” she said to a round of applause.

Her lack of Irish fluency was a talking point throughout the election.

25 Oct 7:38PM

Here’s more from Connolly’s victory speech a few moments ago.

I will be a president who listens, and who reflects, and who speaks when it’s necessary – a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change.

Our whole mantra during this campaign was, ‘we can shape a new republic together’, and we can use our voices for those who haven’t the ability, nor the circumstance don’t allow.

My message is, use your voice in every way you can, because a public and a democracy needs constructive questioning, and together we can shape a new republic that values everybody, that values and champions diversity, and that takes confidence in our own identity, our Irish language, our English language, and the new people who have come to our country. I will be an inclusive president for all of you.

25 Oct 7:47PM
Results breakdown

Presidential Returning Officer Barry Ryan revealed the total number of people who cast a ballot was 1,656,436.

There were 213,738 invalid votes, making the total valid poll 1,442,698.

Of those votes, Connolly got 914,143, or around 63%.

The quota was 721,354, which she surpassed with a historic margin.

Humphreys received 424,987 votes.

Jim Gavin, who withdrew from the race too late for his name to be taken off the ballot, got 103,568 votes.

25 Oct 7:54PM

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns were among those celebrating Connolly’s win with her.

211Presidential Count_90736819 RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

210Presidential Count_90736818 RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

25 Oct 8:04PM

Paul Murphy, a People Before Profit TD and supporter of Connolly, told RTÉ that her victory indicates that she represents the values of the majority.

“The secret to this election is that most people actually agree with the values that Catherine Connelly espouses. That’s the most important lesson,” he said.

“Over 15,000 people volunteered to join the campaign. The majority of those, the big majority, were not members of any political party.”

Murphy said now the Left must keep that momentum going if it’s to succeed in a general election in a few years’ time.

On the high number of spoiled votes, Murphy said many people “feel alienated” and are “very angry at the political system”.

“But the question is: Who’s responsible? Is it those at the bottom? Is it vulnerable people like asylum seekers or LGBTQ people or people of color? No. I would say it’s those who are at the top, both the government and those who profit from the various crises we have.”

25 Oct 8:09PM

Catherine Connolly speaking in Dublin Castle after her victory: 

216Presidential Count_90736824 RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

1221Presidential Count_90736830 RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

25 Oct 8:13PM
Inauguration plans

Now that we know who the next president will be, when does Michael D Higgins finish up and when will Catherine Connolly be inaugurated?

Our reporter Kate Henshaw has all the details here.

president-michael-d-higgins-and-his-wife-sabina-cast-their-votes-in-the-presidential-election-as-voting-begins-in-irelands-election-to-replace-president-higgins-who-has-served-the-maximum-two-seven President Michael D Higgins casting his vote earlier with his wife Sabina Alamy Alamy

25 Oct 8:22PM

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told reporters that there was “undue pressure” on some councillors to use their vote at a local authority level for a candidate chosen by their party.

This is something he, as the leader of Fianna Fáil, has been criticised for. Martin has since committed to reviewing the process that saw the party choose Jim Gavin as their candidate.

Martin accepted that some people “would have had different views to the person they were being asked to support and nominate”.

Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan told The Journal earlier that the government parties will “need to be humble” in the wake of Catherine Connolly’s resounding win in the Áras election.

25 Oct 8:27PM
Referendum on the horizon?

Asked if he could see a referendum being called to reform the presidential candidate selection process, the Taoiseach said: “That’s ultimately the only way you could do it.

“It’s not easy, but that’s the only way you can broaden it.”

There are currently two main routes to getting on the ballot. You must either be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas (the Dáil and the Seanad) or be nominated by at least four local authorities.

There was a high number of spoiled votes in many areas today, following a concerted campaign calling people to register their dissatisfaction with the lack of choice. 

25 Oct 8:30PM

The results are in – so how has your constituency voted? 

You can find the full breakdown in our election count centre. Click the button below.

Election Centre 2025

river (11)

25 Oct 8:35PM
'We can shape a new republic together'

Here is Catherine Connolly’s victory speech in full.

The Journal / YouTube

25 Oct 8:39PM
'The curse of the Áras'

Yet again, Fine Gael has failed to win a presidential election, with some dubbing it ‘the curse of the Áras’. 

The party has come close several times since the role was created almost 90 years ago, but has never managed to get a candidate over the line. 

So just how close has Fine Gael come to winning the presidential elections in the past? 

Conor Brummell has a full analysis of the party’s history with the high office here.

25 Oct 8:48PM

Former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has congratulated Connolly on her win, calling it a “victory for humanity and for hope”.

Jeremy Corbyn / X (Formerly Twitter)

25 Oct 9:12PM

Sitting President Michael D Higgins released a short statement congratulating Connolly.

“I have this evening spoken by telephone with the President-elect, Catherine Connolly,” he said.

“I congratulated the President-elect on her election as the tenth President of Ireland on what is a momentous day for her and her family. The President-elect will have the full support of this office as she prepares for her Inauguration next month.”

25 Oct 9:16PM

The Palestinian Embassy in Ireland has also wished Connolly the best.

She has been consistent in her defence of Palestinians amid Israel’s attacks on people in Gaza.

25 Oct 9:22PM

Members of the Social Democrats, which was the first party to back Connolly, are naturally delighted tonight.

25 Oct 9:27PM

Pop Base, an X account with more than 2.3 million followers, has posted about Connolly’s election.

The US-based account usually sticks to covering pop culture and celebrity news, but has made an exception this evening.

Followers have responded by sharing videos of Connolly speaking about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Palestinian right to self-determination.

25 Oct 9:37PM

Heather Humphreys and the Fine Gael party have been upbeat in their defeat, repeatedly wishing Connolly the best in her presidency, and even suggesting they’ll be happy to be represented by her.

25 Oct 9:47PM
Slán!

Well, that’s it, folks. Ireland has elected its next president.

No doubt the coming days and weeks will see her successful campaign – and the fumblings of major parties – analysed.

Rónán Duffy has this evening broken down how Connolly swung such a stunning victory. Read the full piece here.

Thanks for following along as we covered the highs and lows of campaigns and counts.

Until next time, slán!

221Presidential Count_90736829 Catherine Connolly with her husband Brian McEnery in Dublin Castle RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

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