Catherine Connolly Elected Ireland’s President, Pledges to Be ‘A Voice for Peace’

Ireland has chosen left-wing independent lawmaker Catherine Connolly as its next president, electing her in a landslide victory that signals a shift in tone for the largely ceremonial but symbolically powerful office.

Connolly, 68, secured 63 percent of the vote on Saturday, comfortably defeating her center-right rival, former Cabinet minister Heather Humphreys. Her victory was buoyed by the backing of left-leaning opposition parties, including Sinn Féin, and she is expected to be an outspoken presence unafraid to challenge Ireland’s center-right government.

Although the Irish presidency carries no executive powers, the role holds deep symbolic weight, representing Ireland internationally and serving as a moral and unifying voice. Connolly will succeed Michael D. Higgins, a popular president known for his vocal stances on global justice, including criticism of NATO spending and the war in Gaza.

“I will be an inclusive president — a voice for peace and for all communities,” Connolly said in her victory speech at Dublin Castle, pledging to champion equality, diversity, and Ireland’s cultural identity.

From Galway Lawmaker to Head of State

A mother of two, Connolly has represented Galway West in Parliament since 2016 and made history in 2020 as the first woman deputy speaker of the lower house. Raised in social housing as one of 14 children, she lost her mother at age nine while her father worked in a shipyard. Before entering politics, she earned degrees in clinical psychology and law, practicing as a lawyer.

Connolly began her political career in local government, elected to Galway City Council as a Labour Party member in 1999 and later serving as mayor of Galway in 2004. She left Labour in 2007 to pursue an independent path.

Critic of Israel and the EU

Connolly has drawn both support and controversy for her outspoken foreign policy views. She has been sharply critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza, at one point describing Hamas as “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people” — a remark that drew condemnation from Prime Minister Micheál Martin. Connolly later clarified that she “utterly condemned” Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, while also accusing Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza.

On Europe, Connolly has criticized the European Union’s increasing militarization since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, comparing it to 1930s-era rearmament. She has questioned NATO’s eastward expansion and emphasized her commitment to Ireland’s military neutrality, calling for a referendum on the government’s proposal to relax the “triple lock” governing overseas troop deployments.

Despite her polarizing positions, Connolly’s message of social justice, equality, and independence from major blocs has resonated widely, particularly among younger voters.

“Together, we can shape a new republic that values everybody — that champions diversity, our Irish and English languages, and the new people who now call Ireland home,” she said in her acceptance speech.