Catherine Connolly
Catherine Connolly | |
|---|---|
.jpg?lang=simple) Connolly in 2025 | |
| 10th President of Ireland | |
| Assumed office 11 November 2025 | |
| Taoiseach | |
| Preceded by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann | |
| In office 23 July 2020 – 8 November 2024 | |
| Ceann Comhairle | Seán Ó Fearghaíl |
| Preceded by | Pat "the Cope" Gallagher |
| Succeeded by | John McGuinness |
| Chair of the Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands | |
| In office 4 April 2016 – 15 September 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Niamh Smyth |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office February 2016 – October 2025 | |
| Constituency | Galway West |
| Mayor of Galway | |
| In office June 2004 – June 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Terry O'Flaherty |
| Succeeded by | Brian Walsh |
| Galway City Councillor | |
| In office June 1999 – March 2016 | |
| Constituency | Galway City West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Catherine Martina Ann Connolly 12 July 1957[1][2] Galway, Ireland |
| Political party | Independent (2006–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Labour (until 2006) |
| Spouse(s) |
Brian McEnery (m. 1992) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | |
| Website | Presidential campaign website |
Catherine Connolly (born 12 July 1957) is an Irish independent politician who has been the 10th and current President of Ireland since 2025. She was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency from 2016 until 2025.
Connolly was Mayor of Galway from 2004 to 2005. Connolly was elected to the Dáil in 2016. She was Leas-Cheann Comhairle of the 33rd Dáil from July 2020 to November 2024. She was chair of the Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands from 2016 to 2020.[3]
2025 presidential campaign
[change | change source]Connolly ran as an independent candidate for President of Ireland in the 2025 election.[4] She won the election in October 2025, beating Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin in a landslide victory, with the highest number of first-preference votes in Irish history.[5]
Political views
[change | change source]Connolly's ideology has been called left-wing. Connolly calls herself as a socialist and pacifist.[6]
Connolly is a supporter of Ireland being neutrality on most global issues.[7] Her foreign policy views were called by Politico as "often anti-Western". She is a critic of NATO and the European Union for their military use.[8]
Connolly has not supported Russian invasion of Ukraine and has also called NATO's actions toward Russia as "warmongering". She is also a supporter of Palestine and is a critic of Israel.[9]
Connolly supports Irish reunification, the legalisation of same-sex marriage and the legalisation of abortion.[10]
Personal life
[change | change source]Connolly has lived in the Claddagh in Galway City since 1988. She married woodwork teacher Brian McEnery in 1992 and they have two sons.[11][12][13]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Larkin, Joan (20 September 2025). "Catherine Connolly secures support of Sinn Féin". extra.ie. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ↑ Harte, Sarah (15 October 2025). "Our presidential contest illustrates just how far Irish women have come". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ↑ "Social Democrats to nominate Catherine Connolly for run for Áras". RTÉ News. 11 July 2025.
- ↑ Mag Raollaigh, Joe (16 July 2025). "Connolly launches Áras bid, hopes to 'empower people to find their voice'". RTÉ News. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ↑ Leahy, Pat. "Catherine Connolly elected 10th president of Ireland in landslide victory". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ Pogatchnik, Shawn (23 October 2025). "Socialist critic of NATO and EU poised to win Ireland's presidency". POLITICO. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ↑ "Catherine Connolly criticises calculated move towards increased militarisation of EU". GalwayBayFM. 16 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Irish presidential election: Connolly concerned by EU 'militarisation'". BBC News. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ↑ "Irish presidential frontrunner attacks Dublin for failure to sanction Israel". Reuters. 9 October 2025.
- ↑ Creighton Keogh, Sarah (24 September 2025). "What Ireland's 2025 presidential nominees say on LGBTQ+ rights". GCN. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ↑ Flanagan, Eimear (25 October 2025). "Who is Catherine Connolly? A profile of the new Irish president". BBC News NI. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ↑ "Visit of New Zealand Delegation: 18 Jun 2025: Seanad debates (KildareStreet.com)". www.kildarestreet.com. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ Fanneran, Vinny (29 September 2025). "Catherine Connolly life with 33-year husband Brian and well known sister". Galway Beo. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
Other websites
[change | change source]
Media related to Catherine Connolly at Wikimedia Commons
- Presidential campaign website
- Andrews, Kernan. "Connolly raises doubts over independence of crypto report", Galway Advertiser, 6 November 2008.
Presidents of Ireland Uachtaráin na hÉireann | ||
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