Image source, Getty Images

Only Irish citizens who normally reside in the Republic of Ireland were eligible to vote, meaning those living abroad or in Northern Ireland were not able to cast a ballot.

There were a few exceptions for Defence Forces personnel or diplomatic staff serving overseas.

In 2013, a constitutional convention recommended extending votes in presidential elections to citizens living outside of the Republic of Ireland - a position officially supported by all of the largest political parties in the state.

A change in the criteria for voting in presidential elections would require an amendment to the Irish constitution which, in turn, requires a referendum. The decision to hold one lies with the Irish government.

A referendum was postponed in 2019 and a new date has not been set.

Adam Mandeville
Live page reporter at Dublin Castle

There is a subdued atmosphere here at Dublin Castle, in no small part due to the cold starting to set in.

After a day of speedy tallies and quick results, Catherine Connolly was expected to arrive just before 17:00 local time.

It is now a waiting game for the next president of Ireland.

Let's take another look at the results so far in the 2025 Irish presidential election.

Thirty two first counts have been completed out of 43, with Catherine Connolly still way ahead of Heather Humphreys.

Turnout is 45.8%.

Chris Page
Ireland correspondent

The media are awaiting the arrival of Catherine Connolly at Dublin Castle where she'll be officially declared as Ireland's 10th president.

She is a left-wing veteran independent member of the Irish parliament, backed by a coalition of opposition parties, the biggest of which is Sinn Féin.

Its leader Mary Lou McDonald said today marks a "moment of hope and achievement".

Something else that has been capturing people's attention is the unprecedented number of spoiled ballots.

Some suggest more than 10% of the ballots cast have been spoiled - we saw so many papers that people had written messages on, about immigration, about crime.

Members of the government parties have been out saying this is something they're going to take seriously, something they are concerned about and that there's a significant proportion of people disaffected by politics in this country.

Image source, Getty Images

The president of Ireland is the country's head of state.

They represent the country abroad, take centre stage at major national events, and are responsible for ensuring that the constitution – the set of rules for government and politics - is followed.

The president's powers are limited but they are among the most prominent figures in Ireland.

There is an expectation that they will articulate the public mood at times of triumph and disaster.

They address the nation at Christmas and on St Patrick's Day, for example, and host dignitaries and citizens at their official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, in Dublin's Phoenix Park.

Image source, PA Media

Taoiseach (Ireland's prime minister) Michéal Martin has "no doubt Catherine Connolly will serve the country well".

In a statement, he also pays tribute to Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin, saying: "It takes great courage to put yourself forward for the highest office in the land, and both are people with a long history of public service and community involvement."

Adam Mandeville
Live page reporter at Dublin Castle

Mary Lou McDonald says "today marks a moment of hope and achievement".

She adds that it is important that people in the Republic of Ireland listen to each other and that opposition parties work together.

“We have to have social cohesion, we have to have people included," she says.

“We heard from people across the board that they want that choice (of a different government)."

Adam Mandeville
Live page reporter at Dublin Castle

Image source, Reuters

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald describes today's result as a "stunning victory" as she speaks to the media upon arrival at Dublin Castle.

Journalists are packed into a relatively small area in the courtyard.

There is a growing excitement over the arrival of Catherine Connolly - though Galway to Dublin is about 124 miles (200km) away so we will be waiting for a while.

TDs from other left-wing parties, such as Labour and the Social Democrats, have been highlighting the importance of a coalition in getting Connolly over the line.

We'll have to wait and see whether this alliance will continue into future elections.

Image source, EPA

The Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin withdrew from the race at the start of October, but it was too late to remove his name from the ballot paper as postal ballots had already been distributed.

With half of the 43 constituencies delivering their first count figures, Gavin has received more than 50,000 first preference votes - that's 7.5%.

Let's take a look at the results so far in the 2025 Irish presidential election.

Nineteen of the 43 count centres have completed their first counts, and Catherine Connolly maintains a strong lead.

Turnout is 45.5%

Image source, PA Media

Today "marks an era of hope", according to Northern Ireland's first minister.

Sinn Féin, and other left-wing parties, backed Catherine Connolly.

The party's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill writes on social media that "this election has shown what can be achieved when parties committed to change and progress work together in common purpose".

"That is the clear pathway to a better, united future," she adds.

Acknowledging the high level of spoiled ballots, Simon Harris says he saw "people going to quite a lot of effort to spoil their ballot".

He says turnout could be about 40% with the rest opting to stay away from the polls.

"Many, many people sat at home and we've got to do some soul searching," he adds.

Claire Brennan
BBC News NI at Dublin Castle

Image source, PA Media

Tánaiste (Ireland's deputy prime minister) Simon Harris has arrived at Dublin Castle ahead of the winner of the presidential election being announced here later.

The party's candidate Heather Humphreys has already conceded, after initial counts indicated a strong show of support for Independent Catherine Connolly.

"Firstly, can I congratulate Catherine Connolly - she is going to be the president of Ireland," says Harris.

"We wish her well, sincerely."

He commends Ms Humphreys for carrying herself "with great dignity" and says the "election was always going to be a challenge".

Claire Brennan
BBC News NI at Dublin Castle

Journalists and camera crews have started to gather at Dublin Castle ahead of Catherine Connolly's expected arrival later.

The final declaration will happen on the grounds here, inside St Patrick's Hall.

BBC News NI will be bringing you live updates as it happens.

Image source, PA Media

Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher says Catherine Connolly's success shows how a person can gel with new people and bring people together from diverse backgrounds.

Kelleher was seeking Fianna Fáil's backing to run in the election, but leader Micheál Martin opted to back Jim Gavin.

He says when he was out and about he noticed people supporting Connolly that weren't "traditionally from the left".

Kelleher adds that many Fianna Fáil voters didn't go to the polls, or if they did "they reluctantly went to the polls.. and probably some of them spoiled their votes or voted for Jim Gavin".

He says a lot of young people are not coming to the traditional parties as you would expect, and it is an area his party needs to quickly address.

In a post on social media, former taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar tells Heather Humphreys to "hold your head high, girl".

"You stepped into the breach, late in the day, when our candidate withdrew," he writes.

"You've carried your home constituency where people know you best. You've held the FG vote and some."

Hayley Halpin
BBC News NI

Image source, Reuters

Here's a quick refresh on how today has gone so far:

• Voters in the Republic of Ireland are electing the 10th Irish president, who will replace current head of state Michael D Higgins
• Counting began at 9:00 local time in Ireland this morning as ballot boxes were opened at 32 count centres, taking in the votes of 43 constituencies
• The main candidates on the ballot are Independent TD Catherine Connolly, who has been backed by Sinn Féin and other left wing parties, and Heather Humphreys, the Fine Gael candidate
• Jim Gavin, who was chosen to represent Fianna Fáil, withdrew from the contest earlier this month over a rental dispute
• This morning, Connolly told RTÉ that she was “absolutely delighted” with the early tallies
• Humphreys has conceded and congratulated Connolly on "becoming the next president of Ireland"
• The final result won't be announced until later at Dublin Castle
• There has been an unprecedented level of spoiled votes coming from ballot boxes across the country with many using their ballot papers to voice frustrations over issues including immigration
• There have been five official first counts in so far; Cork South-Central; Dún Laoghaire; Dublin South-West; Dublin West; and Louth. Connolly came out with the most votes in each of those constituencies, with Humphreys second in all five

There have been five official first counts in so far; Cork South-Central; Dún Laoghaire; Dublin South-West; Dublin West; and Louth.

Connolly came out with the most votes in each of those constituencies, with Humphreys second in all five.

In four of the constituencies, there were more spoiled votes than first-preference votes for Jim Gavin. The exception was Dún Laoghaire, where 7.8% of votes were spoiled, while Gavin received 8.1% of first-preference votes.

Gavin requires 12.5% of the overall vote for his party, Fianna Fail, to retain their deposit.

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Claire Hanna MP offers her party's "sincere congratulations" to Catherine Connolly.

"We also extend best wishes to Heather Humphreys and commend her commitment to reconciliation and to focused dialogue about the future of this island," she says, in a statement.

The leader of the political party in Northern Ireland says the role of president is "far more than a symbolic figure".

"As well as representing this island on the world stage, past presidents have played a powerful healing role, reaching out to communities across the north and acting as a force for reconciliation and progress."

The first official count of the day is in.

In Cork South-Central, Catherine Connolly received 64.7% of the first preference votes.

Heather Humphreys received 28.2% and Jim Gavin got 7.1% of the valid poll.

Spoiled votes accounted for 10.3% of the overall poll.