Presidential Election 2025

Meanwhile, it's understood that businessman Declan Ganley has been actively canvassing various independent TDs and Senators looking for their backing.

Two-time former presidential candidate and businessman, Sean Gallagher, has confirmed he will not contest this year's election.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0715/1523624-ireland-presidential-election/

understood means somebody else reported it but I cant find who.

Also we are influenced by Britain and they have had 3 female prime ministers, while we've had 2 female deputy prime ministers (Tainiste), along with 2 elected female presidents.

No doubt they would, but that still doesn't provide him with any credentials.

Why doesn't Ronan Mullen try to run? Or Sharon Keogan?

They have at least been elected to the upper house several times. And it would be an honest representation of who that cohort are and what they believe.

Ganley couldn't get elected to the Tidy Towns over the last 30 years.

imo the main imponderable at this stage is whether Mary Lou runs. If you think she probably won’t it might be best to place the bet now…

yeah I know but ganley might be able to win them round by promising to take their specific issues on board in a way Connolly is obviously never going yto. I don’t think he’ll ultimately secured the 20 noms but I can’t think he be launching a big charm offensive in Leinster house if he didn’t have some positive prior soundings…

Everyone I spoke to today about this said they wouldn't be voting for her. To be fair that was just my parents who still vote FF and my sister who's more of a lefty liberal than myself. So that's 0/4 votes from the dulpit family. She's goosed.

Realistically though, i could see her winning, but I'm assuming FG will find a way to screw up yet another election.

Depends what kind of campaign it is. If it's a low interest, low turnout sort of election like in 2018 then it would definitely a favour a safe, establishment figure like Mairead McGuinness.

If it's more like 2011 and it captures the public attention then no, I think the wider public who aren't entrenched in political allegiances will see her as too much of a "toe the party line" FG'er and lacking the sort of charisma and independent thinking desired for the role.

She will win.

By a mile. And I've said so for the last 18 months.

I think myself that there is a fair chance Fianna Fáil may actually not nominate anyone now, especially if they see McGuinness lined up against Connolly and another loony lefty from SF, whether its Mary Loo or Conor Murphy or anyone else.

Connolly and SF would cannibalise each other's vote, and meanwhile McGuinness will hoover up the votes of farming, small business, the professional class, the graduate class, and everyone who gets up early, and pays for everything.

And its very much in FFs interest to have someone like McGuinness in the Áras. Someone with whom they can work. Better she have an FG blazer on than a pinko tabard.

Simon Harris is not an old man

Catherine Connolly could do better than expected if its a small field of candidates. A protest vote mid govt could get her more votes than any other candidate. She makes many anti establishment speeches which touch a chord in a lot of people. Regardless of whether the president as seen as ineffectual or not, she'd get a lot of votes from just anti FG FF voters. She might even appeal to the younger voter as a voice against govt. And she looks like manys a sweet granny might look.

She is the right of centre candidate. And the government parties have it in their control to ensure that nobody from outside is nominated that is further to her right.

I think you're wrong about that FF cohort. That sort are either dead or dying. The analysis of the last general election showed huge transfers between FF and FG.

And even if they do exist, their choice may well be McGuinness or nobody at all. And them staying at home is all good news for Mairéad.