DUBLIN,Ireland Oct 24-Ireland went to the polls on Friday in a closely watched presidential election that could usher in a profound shift in the country’s political landscape.
More than 3.6 million eligible voters are casting ballots at over 5,500 polling stations across the Republic, with voting open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time (0600GMT–2100GMT).
Three candidates officially appear on the ballot: independent candidate Catherine Connolly, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, and Fianna Fáil nominee Jim Gavin. However, Gavin withdrew from the race after nominations had already closed, meaning his name remains on the ballot and any votes cast in his favour will still be counted and subsequently redistributed under Ireland’s proportional representation system.
How the Vote Works
Voters are using the single transferable vote (STV) system, a form of proportional representation in which they rank candidates in order of preference one, two, or three. If no candidate reaches the necessary quota on first-preference votes, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and their votes are transferred according to the next preference indicated by voters.
Election authorities say tens of thousands of Irish citizens will be voting for the first time, marking a significant moment in civic participation.
Connolly Leads in Polls
A survey released on Thursday placed Catherine Connolly ahead with 40% support, compared to 25% for her main rival Heather Humphreys. When undecided voters and spoiled ballots were excluded, Connolly’s lead widened dramatically to 55% over Humphreys’ 35%.
Two polls conducted earlier in the week also indicated a commanding lead for Connolly, 68, who is backed by a broad coalition of left-leaning politicians and parties, including Sinn Féin.
Humphreys, a former Cabinet minister and candidate for the governing Fine Gael party, hails from the Protestant community in County Monaghan. Her campaign represents the centre-right establishment that has dominated Irish politics for a century.
Jim Gavin, endorsed by Fianna Fáil, pulled out of the race earlier this month following mounting controversy over a rental dispute dating back 16 years in which he reportedly owed €3,300 (£2,870) to a former tenant. Despite withdrawing, election law requires his name to stay on the ballot due to the timing of his exit.
Politically Pivotal Moment
This election is widely seen as historic because it marks the first presidential contest in modern Irish history defined by a clear ideological divide between left and right.
Traditionally, Irish politics have not followed conventional left–right splits seen elsewhere in Europe. The dominance of the centrist parties Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael traces back to opposing sides of the Irish Civil War rather than ideological differences over economic policy.
That dynamic began to shift dramatically following the 2020 general election, when Sinn Féin – a left-wing nationalist party and former political wing of the Irish Republican Army – won the largest share of first-preference votes for the first time.
Sinn Féin secured 37 seats in the Dáil Éireann (the lower house of parliament), closely trailing Fianna Fáil with 38 seats and Fine Gael with 35. A total of 88 seats are required to form a government in the 174-seat parliament.
Role of the President
While the Irish presidency is largely ceremonial, it carries significant symbolic weight and constitutional responsibility. According to Professor Gail McElroy of Trinity College Dublin, the office is regarded as a unifying symbol above party politics.
The president represents Ireland internationally, receives visiting heads of state at Áras an Uachtaráin – the official residence in Dublin’s Phoenix Park – and plays a key role in safeguarding the Irish Constitution.
What Happens Next
Ballot boxes will be opened on Saturday at 9 a.m. (0800GMT), when vote counting will begin. The results are expected to be announced at Dublin Castle. The winner will become the 10th president of Ireland, succeeding President Michael D. Higgins, who is completing his second and final seven-year term. The new president is expected to be inaugurated on 11 November, the day after Higgins leaves office.
