Summary

  • Catherine Connolly is officially declared the Republic of Ireland's next president

  • Connolly will be the country's 10th president, taking over from Michael D Higgins who has served the maximum two terms in office

  • Heather Humphreys, who conceded early on Saturday, says the Independent candidate "will be a president for all of us"

  • The candidate for the Republic of Ireland's biggest party - Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin - stood down in early October - here's a look back at why

  • Taoiseach (Ireland's prime minister) Michéal Martin says an "outstanding honour" has been bestowed upon Connolly

  • There was an unprecedented level of spoiled ballots as many voters used this election to voice frustrations over issues including immigration

'I will be an inclusive president for all'

Live Reporting

Edited by Ali Gordon and Judith Cummings, with reporting from Hayley Halpin and Holly Fleck

  1. Fine Gael proud of Humphreys - McEntee

    Heather Humphreys (left) with Helen McEntee on a farm in county Meath - they are standing in front of a field with black and white cows in it.PA Media

    Heather Humphreys (left) with Helen McEntee during campaigning for the election

    Heather Humphreys is the candidate for Fine Gael, who along with Fianna Fáil make up the coalition government in Dublin.

    An experienced cabinet minister, she stood down from the Dáil in 2024 after 13 years.

    Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee says it's likely Catherine Connolly will be the next president of Ireland.

    Speaking at a count centre in Ashbourne, Dublin she congratulated Ms Connolly and said she looked forward to working with her.

    Ms McEntee said she was proud to support Heather Humphreys, adding "we are the only party that put forward a candidate".

    "The party got behind her and as with any election, afterwards when the dust settles and we see the final result we'll reflect on the election and where we go from here."

  2. Connolly 'absolutely delighted'

    Catherine Connolly, with short grey hair, wearing a white top and a blue blazer. She is standing in a school putting her vote into a ballot box.PA Media

    Catherine Connolly is running as an independent candidate

    Catherine Connolly has been speaking from the count centre in her home county of Galway.

    She said she was "absolutely delighted" with the early tallies, according to RTÉ, and thanked everybody, including those who did not vote for her.

    Connolly is an independent who is backed by the major left-wing parties – Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and the Greens.

    She has represented Galway West in the lower house of the Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann, since 2016.

    Connolly has also worked as a barrister and clinical psychologist.

    She served as deputy speaker of the Dáil for four years.

  3. Votes counted across 43 constituencies

    A crowd of people stand at metal barriers, watching other people sort through pieces of paper at tables. There is a large yellow sign which says 'Átha Cliath Thiar Thuaidh - Dublin North West'.

    Voters in the Republic of Ireland are electing the 10th Irish president, who will replace current head of state Michael D Higgins.

    There are two contenders to become the next president - Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys.

    Ballot boxes were opened at 09:00 and votes are being counted in each of the 43 constituencies.

    Political parties tally the votes as soon as boxes open, giving early indications of the result.

    Early tallies are showing a commanding lead for Connolly, but the final result won't be announced until later at Dublin Castle.

    Read more from our Dublin correspondent Gabija Gataveckaite here.

  4. Connolly team in high spirits from the get go

    Adam Mandeville
    Live page reporter in Dublin

    We've been here at the RDS in Dublin since just before 09:00 local time and, from within minutes of the first boxes being opened, Catherine Connolly's supporters have been in high spirits.

    One Labour politician even called the election for the Galway native less than 15 minutes after the counting began.

    Whether the candidate's apparent early dominance will be mirrored in areas outside of Dublin remains to be seen.

  5. Good morning

    Welcome to BBC News NI’s live page for the Irish presidential election results.

    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.

    Stay with us as we bring you all the latest news and reaction as we find out how people have voted.