In a resounding landslide that observers are already calling a watershed moment for Irish politics, Catherine Connolly has been elected the next president of Ireland. Winning approximately 63% of the vote—by far the largest margin in Irish presidential history—Connolly’s victory on October 25, 2025, signals a dramatic shift in the nation’s political landscape. Her campaign, marked by outspoken opposition to militarization, deep support for Palestinian rights, and a promise to be a “moral compass” for the country, united Ireland’s left and progressive parties in a way rarely seen before.
Connolly, a 68-year-old independent lawmaker, lawyer, and clinical psychologist from Galway, ran on a platform that challenged the dominance of the long-ruling Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parties. According to The Nation, her win was not only a personal triumph but also “the first time that the left has won a majority of votes in a national election” in Ireland. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, whose party backed Connolly, called the result “a game changer” and added, “When we come together, when we work collaboratively, when we show up for each other, we can win.”
Connolly’s background is as remarkable as her victory. Growing up as one of 14 children in social housing in Galway, she lost her mother at the age of nine and was raised by her father, a shipyard worker. Her early years were shaped by community service, volunteering with local organizations to help the elderly. She earned degrees in clinical psychology and law before becoming a lawyer and, later, a politician. Her political journey began in 1999 as a Labour Party member on Galway City Council, where she was later elected mayor. She left Labour in 2007, striking out as an independent and eventually serving three terms in the Dáil Éireann (Irish parliament) for Galway West.
Throughout her campaign, Connolly’s message was clear: she would be “an inclusive president” and “a voice for peace.” In her acceptance speech at Dublin Castle, she declared, “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 new people who have come to our country.” (NPR)
Connolly’s victory was powered by a broad coalition of left and progressive parties, including Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, Greens, People Before Profit–Solidarity, and the Labour Party. This unity, as People’s Dispatch noted, was forged in opposition to the “stifling politics that has failed generation after generation.” The campaign drew thousands of volunteers and overcame what Connolly’s supporters called determined efforts by establishment politicians and media to “smear the bejaysus out of her.” Yet, those attacks failed to gain traction, and Connolly swept to victory, defeating her conservative rival Heather Humphreys by nearly 35 points.
Much of Connolly’s appeal came from her willingness to speak out on controversial issues—especially Ireland’s role in global affairs. She has been an unflinching critic of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, repeatedly calling it genocide and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. According to People’s Dispatch, she emphasized, “Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. The normalization of genocide is catastrophic for the Palestinian people, and it is catastrophic for humanity. History didn’t begin on October 7. I will stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people as long as I have breath in my body.”
This outspoken support for Palestine drew fire from right-wing politicians and media, particularly after she referred to Hamas as “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people.” Prime Minister Micheál Martin criticized her for appearing reluctant to condemn Hamas’s actions in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Connolly later clarified that she “utterly condemned” those actions, but maintained her criticism of Israel’s military campaign. As NPR reported, Connolly’s stance resonated with many Irish voters, who see parallels between the Palestinian struggle and Ireland’s own history of occupation.
Connolly’s foreign policy views extend beyond the Middle East. She is a staunch defender of Irish neutrality, a position she believes is threatened by the European Union’s growing militarization. She has sharply criticized the EU’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, drawing comparisons with the arms buildup of the 1930s and warning against NATO expansion. “I want to see the EU using its power to create societies that serve the people, not corporations and the arms industry,” she told People’s Dispatch. “We need an EU that uses its powers to promote peace, inclusion, and a fair transition to a Europe free of fossil fuels.”
During the campaign, Connolly called for a referendum on the government’s plan to remove the “triple lock”—the conditions required for deploying Irish soldiers on international missions. She warned that “any sensible person in Ireland would have to be concerned about the increasing money going into militarization” at the expense of essential services and social justice. Her anti-militarist stance earned her praise from prominent left-wing figures such as former MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace. Daly described Connolly as “a voice for peace, humanity, and hope,” and said her election was “a giant setback” for establishment parties and media seeking to erode Irish neutrality.
Domestically, Connolly has long been a critic of neoliberalism and corporate globalization, advocating for dramatic interventions to address economic inequality and unaffordable living costs faced by working-class families. She has promised to use the presidency as a “moral compass in a world increasingly driven by profit and spectacle,” insisting that “the President should be a unifying presence—a steady hand, yes, but also a spark. A reminder of what is possible. A moral compass in a world increasingly driven by profit and spectacle. A voice for those too often silenced.” (The Nation)
While Ireland’s presidency is largely ceremonial, the office carries moral authority and the power to represent Ireland on the world stage. Connolly has pledged to respect the limits of her office but also made clear she will speak “when it’s necessary.” Her style and message, especially her focus on social equality and inclusivity, have found particular resonance among younger voters, with some observers comparing the energy of her campaign to that of Bernie Sanders in the United States.
Connolly’s election has also reignited debate about Irish unity. Sinn Féin’s McDonald expressed hope that the coming presidency could finally see a referendum on unification with Northern Ireland, stating, “It is likely that a referendum on Irish Unity will happen during Catherine’s Presidency, and the government needs to start preparing for it now.”
The international response to Connolly’s victory has been overwhelmingly positive among left-wing and progressive figures. British MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana congratulated her, with Sultana calling her win “a triumph for hope, solidarity, and a united Ireland.” Her bold stance on Gaza, neutrality, and social justice has already made her a symbol for those seeking change—not just in Ireland, but across Europe and beyond.
As Ireland prepares for Connolly’s seven-year term, all eyes are on how she will use her platform. Whether as a unifying figure at home or a moral voice abroad, her presidency promises to challenge the status quo and give renewed hope to those who have long felt unheard in Irish society.
