Catherine Connolly facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Catherine Connolly
Connolly in 2024
President-elect of Ireland
Assuming office 11 November 2025
Taoiseach	Micheál Martin
Succeeding	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
Galway City Councillor
In office June 1999 – March 2016
Personal details
Born	Catherine Martina Ann Connolly (1957-07-12) 12 July 1957 (age 68) Galway, Ireland
Political party	Independent (2006–present)
Other political affiliations	Labour (until 2006)
Spouse	Brian McEnery ​ (m. 1992)​
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Leeds University of Galway King's Inns

Catherine Martina Ann Connolly (born 12 July 1957) is an Irish independent politician. She is the President-elect of Ireland, having been elected in October 2025. Before this, she served as a Teachta Dála (TD), which is a member of the Irish Parliament, for the Galway West area from 2016.

Connolly began her political journey with the Labour Party. She was elected to the Galway City Council in 1999 and became the Mayor of Galway from 2004 to 2005. She later left the Labour Party in 2006. After running as an independent candidate in two general elections, Connolly was elected to the Dáil (Irish Parliament) in 2016. She made history as Ireland's first female Leas-Cheann Comhairle, a role similar to a Deputy Speaker, serving from July 2020 to November 2024.

In 2025, Connolly ran for president as an independent candidate. She received support from several political parties and independent politicians. She won the election with a very large number of votes, the highest ever for a first-preference candidate in Irish history.

Connolly is known for her left-wing views, describing herself as a socialist and a pacifist. She supports Irish neutrality and has expressed concerns about military actions in Europe. She has also been a strong supporter of the Palestinian people and a critic of Israel's actions in Gaza. At home, she supported the legalisation of same-sex marriage and the reunification of Ireland. Connolly is an Irish speaker and has worked as a clinical psychologist and a barrister.

Catherine Connolly: Ireland's President-elect

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in Galway

Catherine Connolly grew up in Shantalla, a suburb of Galway City. She was one of 14 children in her family. Her father was a carpenter and built traditional Galway hooker sailing boats. Her mother passed away when Catherine was nine years old.

The family lived in one of Galway's first social housing areas. In the 1970s, Catherine led a campaign to have tennis courts built in Shantalla for the community.

Studies and Early Career

In 1981, Connolly earned a master's degree in clinical psychology from the University of Leeds. She then worked as a clinical psychologist. Later, she studied law at the University of Galway and became a barrister in 1991.

Political Journey in Galway

Starting in Local Politics

Connolly joined the Labour Party after the 1997 general election. She was elected to the Galway City Council for the Labour Party in 1999. For the 2004 council election, she moved to a different local area, allowing her sister, Colette, to run in her previous area. Both sisters were elected.

Mayor of Galway

In 2004, Catherine Connolly was elected Mayor of Galway. During her time as Mayor, she helped arrange for the Freedom of Galway City award to be given to Myanmar activist Aung San Suu Kyi in 2005.

Connolly left the Labour Party in 2006 due to disagreements over candidate selection. She then ran as an independent candidate in the 2007 general election.

Moving to National Politics

Connolly ran again in the 2011 general election for Galway West. She narrowly missed winning a seat by only 17 votes after a four-day recount.

Role in the Irish Parliament

Becoming a Teachta Dála

Connolly was successfully elected to the Dáil for the Galway West area in the 2016 Irish general election. Her sister, Colette, took her place on the Galway City Council as an independent councillor.

In 2018, Connolly visited Syria as part of a fact-finding mission with other politicians. She stated that she funded the trip herself and did not support the Syrian government. She aimed to understand the situation on the ground.

First Female Leas-Cheann Comhairle

On 23 July 2020, Connolly was elected as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann. This was a significant moment as she became the first woman to hold this important position, which is like a Deputy Speaker of the Parliament.

In January 2021, Connolly spoke out about the government's handling of a report on Mother and Baby Homes. She believed that the survivors of these homes should have received the report before it was made public.

In June 2023, Connolly participated in a discussion about neutrality and the Russo-Ukrainian War in Galway. In May 2024, she supported Clare Daly in her campaign for the European Parliament.

Presidential Campaign 2025

Announcing Her Candidacy

On 11 July 2025, Catherine Connolly announced her decision to run for President of Ireland. She believed she had enough support from politicians to be nominated. On 16 July, she officially launched her campaign.

Connolly promised to give a voice to ordinary people. She aimed to address important issues like a united Ireland, climate change, and homelessness. She also mentioned she would review the presidential salary.

Election Victory

In the election held on 24 October 2025, Connolly achieved a significant victory. She received 63.4% of the votes, which is the highest percentage any president has received since the role was created in 1938. With over 914,000 votes, she also recorded the highest number of first-preference votes ever for a candidate in Ireland.

Key Supporters

Connolly's campaign received support from several political parties. These included the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and 100% Redress. The Labour Party also backed her campaign in July, followed by Solidarity, the Green Party, and Sinn Féin in September.

Leaders and members from these parties, including Holly Cairns, Marie Sherlock, Eileen Flynn, Roderic O'Gorman, Paul Murphy, and Mary Lou McDonald, spoke at her campaign launch in September.

Campaign Travels

During her campaign, Connolly promised to visit every county in the Republic of Ireland. She traveled extensively, visiting many counties between August and October 2025. She also attended several agricultural shows, including the National Ploughing Championships.

Connolly visited Belfast in August 2025. She expressed her view that citizens of Northern Ireland should be allowed to vote in the presidential election.

Presidency

Catherine Connolly will begin her term as President of Ireland on 11 November 2025.

Important Political Views

Connolly is known as a left-wing independent politician. She identifies as a socialist and a pacifist. She has stated that she never supported violence during past conflicts in Ireland.

Views on Ireland's Future

Connolly supported changes to the Irish court system in 2013. She also supported the 2015 referendum that led to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Ireland.

She believes that Ireland's Defence Forces are important for protecting the country and promoting peace. She emphasizes valuing and supporting their members.

International Relations and Peace

In 2025, Politico described Connolly's foreign policy views as supporting Irish neutrality and being critical of NATO. She has also been a strong critic of Israel's actions.

Connolly has expressed concerns that Ireland's neutrality is being challenged. She believes that peace in Ireland is threatened by increasing military focus in Europe. She has stated that countries involved in the arms industry contribute to conflicts worldwide.

She has also voiced concerns about the European Union's direction. She opposed the ratification of the Treaty of Nice in 2002 and the Treaty of Lisbon in both referendums. She has expressed concerns about the EU's democratic processes and its approach to international conflicts.

Connolly has been a strong critic of Israel and its actions in Gaza. She has called for solidarity with the Palestinian people. She urged the Irish government to implement planned actions against Israel without delay.

As Mayor of Galway from 2004 to 2005, Connolly spoke against the Iraq War. In 2017, she expressed concerns about sanctions affecting civilians in Syria during the Syrian civil war.

Personal Life

Connolly has lived in the Claddagh area of Galway City since 1988. She is married and has two adult sons. She has worked as a clinical psychologist and a barrister. She is an Irish speaker and also speaks German. She was raised Catholic but describes herself as not religious.

Her brother-in-law is Sligo-based politician Declan Bree.

Electoral History

Local Elections

National Elections

Images for kids

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  Catherine Connolly speaking in the Dáil in 2024

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  Connolly hosting a "Working breakfast of Women Presidents of Parliament" in Dublin, September 2023

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  Connolly at an exhibition marking International Women's Day 2024

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  Connolly (first from left) meeting the President of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, in October 2024

See also

In Spanish: Catherine Connolly para niños