Catherine Connolly has been elected the 10th President of Ireland.

The Independent candidate was elected on the first count winning 914,143 first preference votes.

Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys got 424,987, while Fianna Fail's Jim Gavin, who pulled out of the Presidential race earlier this month, got 103, 568 first preference votes.

The Presidential election saw a record number of spoiled votes with 213, 738 cast at polling stations on Friday.

Spoilt vote Presidential Election 2025. Image: David Raleigh / Newstalk.

Speaking in Dublin Castle following her Presidential election win, Catherine Connolly thanked her campaign team and the political parties who supported her.

"For all who voted for me, thank you very much. It will be an absolute privilege to serve you.

"For those who didn't vote for me and those who spoil their votes, let me tell you, I will be an inclusive President and will listen to all of you.

"I will be making no distinction on the basis of votes".

"My family in particular, who are very private, and I want to thank all of you for being here, and all the leaders of the parties that came in behind me and the TDs and Senators, the independent TDs and Senators who stood behind me from day one.

"I emphasised that I was an independent candidate with an independent mind.

Catherine Connolly, who is a TD for Galway West, will step down from her role in the Dáil with her Presidential inauguration due to take place on November 11th.

Irish presidential candidates, (left to right) Fine Gael's candidate Heather Humphreys, independent candidate Catherine Connolly. Image: Sunday October 5, 2025. Image: Conor O'Mearain / Alamy.

Early this afternoon, Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys has conceded defeat in the race for the Áras.

She thanked her supporters when she arrived at the Cavan–Monaghan count centre and said Catherine Connolly will make a President for all.

" I want to congratulate Catherine on becoming the next president of Ireland. Can I just say that Catherine will be a President for all of us.

"She will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best".

Speaking at Dublin Castle, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, says Catherine Connolly's presidency will be very important.

" Catherine will be President in a time span in which I believe we will see referendums on Irish reunification.

"She will have a very important and special role in being part of the atmosphere and the vector in which conversations need to happen".

Fine Gael party leader Simon Harris speaking to the media and reporters while arriving at the presidential count at Dublin Castle. Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie. 25/10/2025

The Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris said he would be open to a referendum on how candidates secure a place on the Presidential ballot.

Fine Gael was accused of blocking independents from being nominated by city and county councils.

" I would [support it], is my gut reaction, but I just want to caveat that by saying there has to be some threshold to get on the ballot.

"I think it's a legitimate question to ask is the current threshold or structure right, and I've heard different ideas from different people.

"I think there's been some cross-party work done in this in the past.

"Is it right that you have to get a certain number of councils, or would it be better if you've got a certain number of councillors across the country. That's an interesting idea.

"I do accept that the rules around nominations were drawn up in a very different political time, and a very different Ireland".