By Daire Lydon
Ireland will elect a new president this autumn, only the 10th ever in the history of the state. The vote must be held before 11 November 2025, which means it’ll take place sometime in the 60 days leading up to that date. It’s going to be a short campaign and potentially a small field.
Who’s in?
Former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness is expected to be Fine Gael’s candidate. Meanwhile, left-wing TD Catherine Connolly has declared her intention to run and has already lined up enough Oireachtas support to secure a nomination, and as of today has received support from Labour. Connolly, a Galway West Independent, was first elected in 2016 and served as Leas-Cheann Comhairle for much of the last Dáil. She’s also a former mayor of Galway and chaired the Irish language and Gaeltacht committee. Her campaign is being backed by a loose alliance of Soc Dems, PBP, and other independents.
Also making headlines (for the wrong reasons) is Conor McGregor, who alluded to a run on a podcast with Tucker Carlson. Given the recent developments in his case involving Nikita Hand, it’s very unlikely he’ll secure a nomination or serious public support. Still, his name has been thrown into the mix, adding another layer of chaos to an already unpredictable race.
There’s speculation Fianna Fáil may try to run a sports star names like Niall Quinn and Packie Bonner are being floated. Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald hasn’t ruled herself out, which marks a change in tone from earlier this year when she had explicitly said she wasn’t running.
In the world of wild cards, Riverdance star Michael Flatley has apparently expressed during a recent court case his interest in securing nomination. Other names mentioned in the media include broadcasters such as Oliver Callan and even Vogue Williams, as part of a growing call from commentators like Mary Regan for a younger, more modern face in the Áras.
Who’s ruled out?
Michael D. Higgins is finishing up his second and final term. Under the Constitution, he’s not allowed to run again though many probably wish he could.
What does the president actually do?
A lot of people think the job is pointless. It isn’t. The president doesn’t make laws or control the economy, but the role does matter.
They are directly elected by the people of Ireland, head of state and representative abroad, the person who signs bills into law and acts as a figurehead at national commemorations and state events.
Think of it like a more poetic version of the British monarchy. The Irish president doesn’t govern but they shape how the country sees itself and how we’re seen internationally. That’s not nothing.
Who can run?
The requirements are that you are:
A citizen of Ireland
Over 35 years of age
You need to be nominated by 20 TDS/ Senators or 4 local councils
Or you can self-nominate if you’re a former president
There’s also a campaign spending cap of €750,000.
Why haven’t you heard more?
Because Irish politics takes a break in August. The Dáil is in recess until September, which means “silly season” has kicked in at a time when rumours swirl, political correspondents dig into personal lives of candidates, and very little of substance happens. Expect most serious campaigns to launch quietly in early autumn, with a tight, late-breaking run to the finish line.
Why young people should care:
Some dismiss the presidency as pointless, but it’s not. The person elected this year could serve until 2033. You’ll be ten years older by then; probably still renting, working your first job, or trying to afford childcare. So while the president won’t set income tax or fix housing overnight, they will set the tone for the country in a way that affects all of us.
Presidential elections are basically identity tests. Do we want a poet or a populist? A unifying figure or a social media celeb? Are we still a country that values culture, diplomacy, and language or are we craving disruption and flash?
This could also be the first president from a younger generation. If someone in their late 30s or early 40s runs, they might actually reflect Gen Z and younger Millennials in a way no past president has.
It’s important young people register to vote and actually show up when the time comes. People have died for the right to vote and still do in parts of the world today. You don’t get to complain about who’s in power if you didn’t bother casting a ballot.
And if you feel strongly about a candidate, don’t just vote, campaign. Presidential races are won on the ground, in communities, on TikTok, in WhatsApp groups. If you want your generation represented in Áras an Uachtaráin, you have to get involved.
Because if you don’t shape your own story, someone else will.