Ireland’s new president
On 25 October Catherine Connolly (MSc Clinical Psychology 1981) stood at the lectern in a packed hall in Dublin Castle. Throngs of supporters, a press pack of journalists and photographers watched on. In a soft, considered tone she told them, “We can shape a new republic together.”
The 68-year-old independent left-wing politician was initially considered an outsider compared to her establishment rival, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphrys. But she quickly established a wide lead to become Ireland’s tenth president, succeeding Michael D Higgins.
Born in Galway in 1957, Connolly was the ninth of 14 siblings. Her mother died when she was nine and her family grew up in one of Galway’s social housing developments.
She initially studied psychology at the University of Galway in the 1970s before coming to Leeds. After retraining as a barrister in Ireland, she was elected as a Labour councillor in Galway in 1999, becoming mayor in 2004.
Ireland has seen a kind of social revolution in the last 30 years.
She later left the Labour Party and from 2016 represented Galway West in the lower house of Dáil Éireann, the Irish parliament. In 2020 she was elected by her peers as Deputy Speaker, becoming the first woman to hold the position – and now she has won a landslide election to become president. She secured 63% of the first preference votes.
But what does an Irish president actually do? Is it a purely ceremonial role, or more significant in the country’s day-to-day politics?
Dr Alan MacLeod of the School of History explained the importance of the role: “The first thing to consider is the significance of Ireland as a republic. In the War of Independence Irish republicans were fighting the British for an independent Irish Republic. But in 1922 that’s not what they got, and that’s what caused the Irish Civil War.”
An Irish Free State was established in 1922, but it remained a dominion and pledged allegiance to the King. Despite its newfound political autonomy, turning the new state into a republic remained unfinished business. This led to a bitter war between the provisional government and the Anti-Treaty IRA. The role of president only came into being in 1937.
“The establishment of a republic in 1949 is central to the identity of Ireland and the freedom of Ireland. All of this is reflected in the significance of the presidential role,” Dr MacLeod added.
Some key dates in Irish history
1919-1921
The Irish War of Independence is fought between the forces of the Irish Republic and the British
1920
The Government of Ireland Act was signed which would create two political entities on the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland
1922
An Irish Free State is established as a dominion of the British Empire, which still declared allegiance to the King. Northern Ireland remained under British rule
1922-23
The Irish Civil War is fought between the Provisional Government of Ireland and the Anti-Treaty IRA
1937
The Constitution of Ireland is drafted, creating the role of the President of Ireland
1949
The final constitutional ties with the British monarchy are abandoned and the State of Ireland is known as the Republic of Ireland
The president retains important constitutional powers and frequently hosts visiting foreign leaders at their residence in Phoenix Park.
Previous incumbents have used the position to question social conservatism in Ireland’s society. The first female president Mary Robinson was elected in 1990. During her seven-year term she brought in laws liberalising the availability of contraception, decriminalising homosexuality, and legalising divorce.
And one of the more remarkable things about Catherine Connolly’s election victory is how unremarkable it is that a female politician can become president. Connolly is the third woman to hold the position. “If you look across Irish politics now, women play a huge role,” said Dr MacLeod. The Irish presidency was effectively a contest between two women. The First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland are both women.
“It’s coming off the back of this period of hugely socially conservative politics in the 1980s. Where Ireland was wrestling with debates on divorce, on abortion, homosexuality. But Ireland has seen a kind of social revolution in the last 30 years.”
Catherine Connolly has vowed that progress will carry on. In Dublin Castle she said, “I will be an inclusive president for all.”
Just over a century ago that same castle was the epicentre of British rule. But now it is emblematic of the Republic of Ireland’s self-determination, and the nation’s continued social revolution.
Dr Alan MacLeod is a historian of modern Britain and Ireland, with an emphasis on the post-1945 period. His research has focused on the Troubles in Northern Ireland, post-war British politics, diplomatic history, terrorism, and the development of the British intelligence services and the secret state.
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