Holly Cairns will be the youngest current leader of any political party when she officially takes over at the helm of the Social Democrats on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old from west Cork was first elected to the Dáil in 2020 and quickly made a name for herself as an effective performer in the chamber and media, with a skill in harnessing the strength of online platforms.
She defied predictions to take a seat in Cork South-West having been first elected as a councillor the previous year.
Ms Cairns is from a farming background and has a MSc in Horticulture. She established a company producing organic seeds.
The new leader has spoken of being drawn into politics after campaigning during the Marriage Equality and Repeal the Eighth referendums.
In the Dáil, she has pushed for a widening of redress for Mother-and-Baby-home survivors as well as speaking about biodiversity and agricultural issues.
She has also recently highlighted the issue of the abuse faced by herself and other female politicians.
Today, in what appears to be a coordinated set of announcements, the other potential candidates ruled themselves out and backed Ms Cairns.
She will lead a party of six TDs and 20 councillors at a time of growth for the organisation in terms of membership.
Some of those members may be unhappy that there will be no contest.
As a small party, the Social Democrats could have benefitted from the publicity of a competition rather than a coronation. However, no competition means a swift, decisive result and less bloodletting.
Holly Cairns' ascension to leadership marks generational change for the young party founded by Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall in 2015.
Wednesday will mark the high point so far of her short political career but she faces a massive set of challenges to retain relevancy for the party.
Next year brings the local elections in May and a general election will follow.
The party is bouncing along in single digits in various opinion polls but maintains that they do not capture the real support of a small party with strong candidates.
Holly Cairns will be the driving force for those contests but she will also shoulder the responsibility for the party's success or failure.
The party faces the real threat of Sinn Féin running far more candidates next time and will face a challenge in holding on to seats in Dublin Bay North and Dublin Central.
There is also the perennial question of a potential merger with Labour, although the Social Democrats rule out that prospect.
For now, all smaller parties struggle for space in the shadow of the dominant opposition party, Sinn Féin.
Success at the next general election could put the party in contention for entering Government for the first time. But losing seats would mean a shrinking parliamentary representation and that failure would rest with the new leader.
