President-elect Catherine Connolly has vowed to be an "inclusive" president for all, saying in her speech at Dublin Castle that together, the Irish people can "shape a new Republic".
Messages of congratulations have poured in from across the political spectrum for Ms Connolly, who was this evening declared Ireland's next president.
She took over 63% of the vote, well ahead of her opponent in the race, Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys.
Ms Connolly thanked the party leaders, TDs and Senators who backed her, as well as all those who voted for her and those who did not.
She said: "I will be a president who listens and reflects and who speaks when it's necessary.
"I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change, and a voice that recognises the tremendous work being done the length and breadth of the country."
Watch: Catherine Connolly's speech in full
Ms Connolly added: "Our whole mantra during this campaign was that we can shape a new Republic together and we can use our voices for those who haven't the ability, or for whom the circumstances don't allow it.
"But my message is, use your voice in every way you can because our public and democracy needs constructive questioning and, 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.
"I would be an inclusive president for all of you and I regard it as an absolute honour."
Ms Humphreys conceded defeat around lunchtime and said Ms Connolly would be a "president for all".
"Catherine will be a president for all of us and she will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best," she said.
"I have absolutely not one regret," she added.
Watch: Catherine Connolly arrives at Dublin Castle
In a statement, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he looks forward "to working with the new president", describing Ms Connlly's campaign as "impressive".
From early on, Ms Connolly was ahead in count centres nationwide.
There were also a significant number of spoiled votes with anti-Government messages on them, including "no democracy", "EU puppets" and "no from me".
Speaking to journalists at Dublin Castle, Tánaiste Simon Harris said "today is her day" in relation to Ms Connolly, but he also expressed concern about the high number of spoiled ballots.
He said it showed "the number of people in Ireland now who are clearly feeling disaffected or disconnected with politics".
He also noted that some voters put "quite a lot of effort in spoiling their ballot".
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it was a "stunning victory for optimism and hope over cynicism and negativity".
"Sinn Féin arrived at the moment where momentum had to be established and built, and we achieved with others precisely that," she added.
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Results Map
Humphreys says she suffered 'sectarian abuse' during election
Labour, the Social Democrats and People Before Profit also backed Ms Connolly alongside Sinn Féin.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik said Ms Connolly had united parties "with an alternative vision".
She said left-wing parties could now look at how they can "combine together" and "offer a real alternative" in the next general election.
Asked about the high number of spoiled votes, Ms Bacik said: "The level of vitriol directed at people of all political persuasions on some of those spoiled ballots is really alarming to see and I think it means we need to take that anti-democratic threat really seriously."
Congratulating Ms Connolly, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns called the victory a "seismic moment in our history".
She said: "The momentum behind Catherine's presidential bid was incredible, growing from a small campaign run by dedicated volunteers to the grassroots movement it became."
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy claimed Ms Connolly's win will be "by the biggest margin ever of any presidential election".
Mr Murphy described the election as "historic", adding this will be the "first national election where the left will have won over 50% of votes on first preferences".
Speaking this morning, Ms Connolly said she was "absolutely delighted" with tallies that indicated she would be the clear victor.
Speaking to reporters in Galway, Ms Connolly said: "I am absolutely delighted with the result and I want to thank all my supporters.
"Actually, I want to thank everybody - even those who did not vote for me.
"I understand their concerns in relation to who will represent them best."
Spoiled votes
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín revealed he spoiled his vote for the presidential election.
Mr Toibin said: "I'm going to be brutally honest with you, and I feel weird even saying this, I spoiled my vote yesterday."
An Coimisiún Toghcháin said there "will clearly be a need for deeper and further reflection" about why there were so many spoiled ballots in the Presidential Election.
It added the number of spoiled ballots "is significantly higher than normal and it is clear that some people chose to deliberately spoil their votes".
Connolly supporters celebrating in Galway and beyond
Galwegians speak of great pride at the election of "friend and public representative" as the next President of Ireland @rtenews @catherinegalway #election pic.twitter.com/7cqx8WpVxr
— Teresa Mannion (@TeresaMannion) October 25, 2025
In her home constituency of Galway West, Ms Connolly's supporters have been celebrating her win.
She received 90% of first preference votes in her local area of Shantalla.
After being greeted by Ms Connolly at the count centre this morning, many of her supporters then got ready to board buses to Dublin Castle to be part of the momentous occasion, including her elderly cousin, John Bhabha Jeaic Ó Conghaile from Leitir Mealláin.
"I can't believe my cousin with her roots in Conamara is to become the President of Ireland. Her grandfather is from Inis Bearachain off Leitir Mealláin. One of our own," he said.
His eyes filled up as he said today was a dream come true and he gave a gentle smile as he got ready to head away.
"It's rare I'd be in Dublin but I have to go to and see Catherine's official declaration," he added.
