Catherine Connolly was elected the 10th president of Ireland on Saturday night in Dublin Castle.
Following polling day on Friday, votes began to be counted from early on Saturday morning.
Connolly secured 914,143 first preference votes in 43 constituencies, with Fine Gael rival Heather Humphreys coming in second on 424,987.
In front of a large crowd in St Patrick’s Hall of Dublin Castle, surrounded by supporters and other politicians, returning officer Barry Ryan deemed the Independent Galway TD elected on the first count.
In attendance at the calling of the result were Connolly’s left-wing alliance colleagues, including Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Holly Cairns of the Social Democrats, Labour’s Ivana Bacik and People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy.
On stage next to Connolly during the reading of the results were her husband Brian McEnry, her sons Brian and Stephen as well as Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Humphreys.
Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin finished on 103,568 votes despite ending his campaign several weeks ago.
The fist boxes are opened for counting at Dublin's RDS count centre on Saturday morning. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
A counted ballot in the RDS. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Ballot boxes in the RDS. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
One of several spoiled votes that were tallied on Saturday in the RDS. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Tánaiste Simon Harris speaks to the media at Dublin Castle on Saturday. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Paul Murphy at Dublin Castle on Saturday. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Connolly walks into Dublin Castle on Saturday. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Catherine Connolly is embraced by a supported in Dublin Castle on Saturday night. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Connolly arrives into St Patrick's Hall on Saturday night. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
From left: Fine Gael's Helen McEntee, Heather Humphreys and Simon Harris. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Humphreys congratulates Connolly on stage. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Connolly with her husband Brian McEnry (left of centre) with fellow candidate Heather Humphreys, Micheál Martin and Simon Harris. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Connolly addresses the crowd following the declaration of the result. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Connolly shakes hands with Martin as Harris looks on. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Humphreys and Connolly on stage on Saturday night. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Humphreys and Connolly shakes hands as Connolly's sons (left) and husband (centre) look on. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Connolly's sons (both left), Heather Humphreys, her husbands Brian McEnry, Connolly, Martin and Harris in Dublin Castle. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Catherine Connolly arrives to the final announcement of the 2025 presidential election. She was elected the 10th president of Ireland with a landslide. Photo: Dan Dennison
Backers of Connolly including Gary Gannon (Social Democrats), Rory Kearne (Social Democrats), Holly Cairns (Social Democrats leader), Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin leader), Ivana Bacik (Labour leader), Ruth Coppinger (People Before Profit) and MEP Luke Ming Flanagan in Dublin Castle. Photograph: Dan Dennison
McDonald, Cairns, Connolly, Connolly's husband Brian and her sons Brian and Stephen. Photograph: Dan Dennison
