Need a topical Halloween costume? How about Maria Steen’s Hermès handbag, Sexy Louvre Robber or K-Pop House Hunter?
Topical costumes are a special interest of mine, and the presidential election has provided a rich seam of ideas – but I have others
Maria Steen
Read more articles about Maria Steen
Why I spoiled my vote: ‘I feel invisible to the Irish political classes’
Absence of choice proves to be overwhelming motivation behind record number of protest votes
Did you spoil your vote in the presidential election? Tell us why
Online campaigns to spoil votes were cited as one reason behind increased turnout in 2025 vote
Maria Steen ‘grateful and humbled’ over people who wrote her name on presidential ballot
Barrister says she was not part of ‘spoil the vote’ campaign and did not rule out running in future elections
Spoiled ballots hit unprecedented level as voters express anger at choice of candidates
‘Not my president’ among messages written on record 213,738 invalid ballots
Miriam Lord’s campaign awards: the real winners (and losers) of the presidential election
From Jim Gavin’s white chinos to Maria Steen’s handbag to Catherine Connolly’s snappy slogan, the votes are in
The decisive moments of the presidential campaign so far – and why they mattered
Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin experiment, Catherine Connolly’s keepie-uppies and other highlights as the Áras race enters its final days
Lack of enthusiasm among Fine Gael supporters for Heather Humphreys
Thus far, the 2025 campaign has been eventful, to say the least
Only an earthquake can deny Catherine Connolly victory, based on this poll
Something extraordinary would have to happen to overturn Independent candidate’s lead
Catherine Connolly holds commanding lead in presidential election race, new poll shows
But almost half of voters say they ‘do not feel represented by any of the candidates’
‘I wasn’t going to vote for Jim Gavin – what would a footballer know?’
With two weeks to go until the presidential election, some members of Drimnagh Women’s Shed are already ‘fed up with it’
Everyone is knocking great enjoyment out of the Fianna Fáil drama that overshadowed budget day
Opposition and everyone else are knocking great enjoyment out of the presidential drama, too
Maria Steen calls for presidential election to be cancelled over Jim Gavin’s departure
Conservative campaigner missed out on required signatures to make the ballot
Where next for the conservative right after Maria Steen’s failed presidential bid?
There seems to be little hope of her heralding a revival of social conservatism given that her political cohort isn’t even comfortable calling itself ‘conservative’
Kieran Cuddihy hosts a zinger of a presidential debate. Just not the one you saw on TV
Radio: Newstalk host has lively exchanges on ballot papers, while Séan Moncrieff gets scientific and saucy
Michael McDowell: Why I didn’t nominate Maria Steen for the presidency
As a liberal, I felt Maria Steen’s election would have been a step backwards for the Ireland I believe in
Pat Leahy on the presidential TV debate: Neutrality, irrelevance and Jim Gavin’s struggle
Jim Gavin has a difficult debating debut as Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys deliver as expected
How Mayo is leaning in presidential election: ‘I can’t understand why Jim Gavin is running’
Former Dublin GAA manager getting ‘a lot of grá’ in the town, but Independent Catherine Connolly proving most popular
If conservatives like Maria Steen want to have an impact, they need to do three things better
Does her experience suggest anyone who holds socially conservative views is excluded from public life?
Maria Steen and Michael McDowell clash over failed presidential bid
‘I believe she is a divisive person,’ says Senator as failed presidential contender accuses former ally of ignoring her
Blocking Maria Steen from running for the presidency will backfire
The same people who blocked Steen are already rubbishing Independent Ireland’s proposed Bill for a referendum to widen access to candidacy
I was painted as a ‘pantomime villainess’: Maria Steen reflects on failed bid for presidency
In an exclusive interview, the barrister, conservative campaigner and stay-at-home mother talks about falling short in her attempt to get her name on the presidential ballot
Miriam Lord’s Week: McDowell turns a page as Steen seethes
Senator relaxes at book launch as failed presidential hopeful vents in blame game
Presidential election field thins to three, the shortest ballot paper since 1990
Your essential end-of-week politics catch up
Des Cahill sounds wistful as Mary Wilson and Áine Lawlor leave Morning Ireland
The sportscaster sounds moved as RTÉ’s flagship news show takes on an uncharacteristically celebratory air
Steen campaign flares and fizzles out
Presidential election: conservative campaigner believes the establishment has locked her out of the contest
Handbag at the Dáil for Maria Steen as her Áras run comes to an end
Catherine Connolly continues her duties as a TD while Heather Humphreys hits the campaign trail ladder
The Irish Times view on presidential nominations: Too narrow a field
The remedy to that lies not in the kindness of opponents but in sustained political work
Maria Steen complains she was shut out of presidential race after nominations shortfall
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and others ‘pulled up the ladder’ to stop conservative from challenging them
Fierce blame game as Maria Steen’s backers point fingers in wake of failed presidential campaign
A barrage of social media pleas, letters and emails made up the last, frantic hours of campaign
Maria Steen criticises ‘oppressive’ political consensus after failing to secure nomination
Presidential race will be between Connolly, Gavin and Humphreys
Academic seeks to challenge ‘unlawful’ nomination process for presidential election
Process has turned election into ‘complete farce’, claims Dr Cora Stack
Presidential election: Meet the three candidates who will be on the ballot paper
Two-way battle for presidency between Humphreys and Connolly after Gavin ends campaign
Steen races against the clock to join Áras contest
Conservative campaigner seeking two more nominations to get on the ballot
Maria Steen ‘hopeful’ she can still get on ballot paper for presidential election
But campaigner admits time running out to get 20 nominations needed from TDs, senators
Maria Steen seeking three more nominations before deadline to get on presidential election ballot paper
Independent Ireland’s decision adds four TDs and a considerable boost to Steen’s efforts to get on the ballot paper
Maria Steen: The Iona Institute barrister hoping to become president of Ireland
Iona Institute barrister was group’s foremost debater during marriage equality and abortion referendums
Independent Ireland backs nomination of Maria Steen to contest presidential election
Intervention will be a boost to conservative commentator as she continues to seek 20 Oireachtas nominations needed
‘A hammer blow’: Gareth Sheridan concedes that bid for presidential nomination has ended
On a bad day for Independents, Maria Steen also fell short with 18-member Leitrim County Council
Facebook posts about Jim Gavin removed for violating standards
Move comes amid disquiet in Fianna Fáil over proliferation of false information about its candidate on social media
‘A champion for Irish unity’: Sinn Féin backs Catherine Connolly in presidential election
Galway West TD says ‘coalition of left’ backing her campaign ‘a welcome change for Irish politics’
Presidential race: Sinn Féin’s ‘game changer’ candidate may be a show of weakness
If Heather Humphreys wins it will be with the assistance of Gavin’s transfers, and vice versa
Presidential election: How many nominations do Independent candidates have so far?
The deadline for candidates seeking to contest the election to file their nomination papers is September 24th
Green Party backs Independent candidate Catherine Connolly for presidency
Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae will nominate conservative campaigner Maria Steen for ballot
Can Gareth Sheridan or Maria Steen get their presidential nomination over the line?
Inside Politics podcast with Hugh Linehan
On Dáil’s first day back, Eoin Hayes looked lost and unsure where to sit
Independent Ireland’s Michael Collins asked for minute’s silence for assassinated Charlie Kirk
Presidential race: Gareth Sheridan has momentum on his side with two council nominations
Former Nutriband chief executive sent copies of his book to every Independent councillor as part of a canny campaign strategy
Presidential election: Maria Steen fails to persuade DCC to back her with ‘unifying president’ pitch
Several councillors demanded a vote so their dissent can be recorded. Cllr Norma Moriarty of Fianna Fáil said that she had serious reservations. “I want it to be noted that I do not approve of this candidate,” she said.
Presidential election: Several councils close off route to nomination for Independents
Conservative campaigner Maria Steen tells Dublin City Council she can be a ‘unifying president’
‘Super primary’ day will narrow path for Independents to contest presidential election
Kerry County Council looks set to back Gavin Sheridan but members of 10 other councils are unlikely to endorse a candidate
Aontú think-in to consider endorsement of Maria Steen for presidential bid
Oireachtas members ‘getting too stressed about strategy’ over nominating campaigner, says Peadar Tóibín
Yes, the presidential election process is restrictive. That’s as it should be
This is not the election for newbies to test their views on the electorate - that is what local elections are for
Fingal council votes not to endorse any candidate for presidential election
Council rejects resolution to give nomination to entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan
Maria Steen’s route to nomination to contest presidential election narrows
Conservative campaigner struggling to get support of 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities to get on ballot paper
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