President of Ireland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of Ireland |
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Presidential Standard
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Presidential Seal
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| Style | President (A Uachtaráin) or Your Excellency (A Shoilse) |
| Residence | Áras an Uachtaráin |
| Seat | Dublin, Ireland |
| Nominator | Members of the Oireachtas or local councils |
| Appointer | Direct popular vote by Instant-runoff voting |
| Term length | Seven years,
renewable once
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Ireland (1937) Articles 12−14 |
| Precursor |
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| Inaugural holder | Douglas Hyde |
| Formation | 25 June 1938 |
| Salary | €249,014 annually |
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The President of Ireland (called Uachtarán na hÉireann in Irish) is like the main representative of Ireland. They are the head of state, which means they are the official face of the country. The President also leads the Irish Defence Forces, which are Ireland's armed forces.
The President's job is mostly ceremonial. This means they represent Ireland at home and when visiting other countries. They also have some special powers that are important for the Irish Constitution. The President promises to protect the Constitution and serve the people of Ireland.
Presidents serve for seven years and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The people of Ireland vote directly for their President. If only one person is nominated, there is no need for an election. This has happened six times.
The office of President was created in 1937. The first President started in 1938. Ireland's President became fully recognized as the head of state by other countries in 1949.
The current President is Michael D. Higgins. He was first elected on 29 October 2011 and started his term on 11 November 2011. He was re-elected for his second term on 26 October 2018.
Catherine Connolly is the president-elect. She won the 2025 Irish presidential election on 24 October 2025. She will officially become President on 11 November 2025.
The President's official home and workplace is called Áras an Uachtaráin. It is located in Phoenix Park in Dublin.
Contents
A Look at Presidential History
The President's job was created in 1937. It replaced a role called the Governor-General, which existed when Ireland was the Irish Free State (1922–1937). The idea for a seven-year term came from how presidents were elected in Germany at that time.
Some people worried that the new President might become too powerful. But this did not happen. Most Presidents have played a quiet role in the country's affairs. They usually stayed out of politics.
The First Years of the Presidency
For a while, between 1937 and 1949, it was not completely clear who was Ireland's head of state. Some thought it was the President, while others believed it was George VI, the King of Ireland.
This confusion ended in 1949 when Ireland officially became a republic. The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 made it clear that the President was the head of state. Before this, the King had handled Ireland's foreign affairs, like signing treaties and welcoming ambassadors. After 1949, these important duties were given to the President.
How the President's Role Changed
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For many years, the President's job was quite quiet. Most Presidents before 1990 were from the Fianna Fáil political party. They often kept a low profile and used their powers carefully. Some politicians even thought about getting rid of the office to save money.
However, there were a few times when the President's role became very important. For example, President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh had a disagreement with the government in 1976. This led to his resignation. Later, President Patrick Hillery faced pressure from politicians in 1982. They tried to influence his decision about dissolving the Dáil Éireann (Ireland's parliament). Hillery refused to be influenced, showing the independence of the office.
The role of the President really changed in the 1990s. Mary Robinson became the seventh President in 1990. She was the first woman President and the first not from Fianna Fáil in a long time. President Robinson made the office more active. She worked to build connections between Ireland and other countries. She also focused on important global issues, like poverty. Her work helped to make the presidency a more visible and influential role. Since 2019, the President has also attended meetings with other European presidents.
How the President is Chosen
Presidential Elections
The President is chosen by a direct vote from the people of Ireland. This is done using a special voting system called instant-runoff voting. An election happens so the new President can start their term the day after the old one finishes. If the President's office becomes empty early, a new election must be held within 60 days.
Only Irish citizens aged 18 or older can vote for the President. To become a candidate, a person must be an Irish citizen and at least 35 years old.
Presidents can serve for a maximum of two terms, even if they are not consecutive. To be nominated, a candidate needs support from:
- At least 20 members of the Oireachtas (Ireland's parliament).
- Or, at least four county or city councils.
- Or, if they are the current President or a former President who has served one term, they can nominate themselves.
If only one person is nominated, that person becomes President without an election. This has happened six times since the office was created.
The most recent presidential election was held on 24 October 2025. The election before that was on 26 October 2018.
What Happens if There's No President?
Ireland does not have a Vice President. If the President's office is empty, or if the President is away, a special group called the Presidential Commission takes over. This group includes the Chief Justice, the speaker of the Dáil, and the chairperson of the Seanad. They handle the President's duties until a new President is elected or the President returns.
The President's term officially ends at midnight the day before the new President starts. So, for a few hours, the Presidential Commission handles the duties.
The President's office has become empty three times: when Erskine Hamilton Childers passed away in 1974, and when Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh (1976) and Mary Robinson (1997) resigned.
Removing a President from Office
There are ways to remove a President from office, but this has never happened. The Supreme Court can decide if a President is "permanently incapacitated" (unable to do their job). Also, the Oireachtas (parliament) can remove a President for "stated misbehaviour." This process involves a vote by at least two-thirds of the members in both houses of parliament.
Important Jobs of the President
The Constitution of Ireland sets up a parliamentary system of government. This means the President's role is mostly ceremonial. The President is one of three parts of the Oireachtas (national parliament), along with the Dáil Éireann (lower house) and Seanad Éireann (upper house).
The main executive power in Ireland belongs to the Government (also called the Cabinet). However, the Government must keep the President informed about important national and international matters. Most of the President's duties are carried out based on the Government's advice. But the President also has some personal powers they can use on their own.
Working with the Government
The President has several important duties related to the Government:
- Appointing the Government: The President formally appoints the taoiseach (Ireland's head of government) and other ministers. The Dáil chooses the taoiseach, and the President must appoint that person. Other ministers are appointed on the taoiseach's advice.
- Appointing Judges: The President appoints judges to all courts in Ireland. These appointments are made based on the Government's advice.
- Appointing State Officials: The President appoints the Attorney General (the government's chief legal advisor) and the Comptroller and Auditor General (who checks government spending).
- Calling and Dissolving the Dáil: The President officially calls for the Dáil to meet and can dissolve it (end its session). This is usually done on the taoiseach's advice. The President can only refuse to dissolve the Dáil if the taoiseach has lost the Dáil's support.
- Signing Bills into Law: The President signs bills to make them laws. This is mostly a ceremonial duty. The President cannot stop a bill that the Dáil and Seanad have passed. However, the President can ask the Supreme Court to check if a bill follows the Constitution. If the Court says it's unconstitutional, the bill cannot become law.
Representing Ireland Abroad
The President represents Ireland in foreign affairs. This includes welcoming foreign diplomats and making state visits to other countries. Irish ambassadors are also appointed by the President. This role became part of the President's job after 1949.
Leading the Defence Forces
The President is the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces. This is a symbolic role, similar to a commander-in-chief. The President signs the official documents for officers in the armed forces. The Government advises the President on how to use these powers.
Special Powers of the President
The President has the power to grant pardons or reduce punishments for people. This is done on the advice of the Government. This power has been used rarely, for example, in cases of serious mistakes in justice.
Other Duties
Beyond their main constitutional duties, the President also:
- Appoints certain State officials: The President appoints various officials, like the governor of the Central Bank of Ireland and members of certain tribunals, based on government advice.
- Supports charities: The President often acts as a patron for many charities in Ireland. This varies depending on the President's interests.
- Awards honours: The President gives the title of Saoi for life to selected Irish artists. This is the highest honour from Aosdána, an association for creative artists.
Rules for the President
- The President needs the Government's permission to leave Ireland.
- Any formal speech or message to the nation or parliament must be approved by the Government beforehand. However, Presidents can speak freely on other occasions. By tradition, Presidents avoid directly criticizing the Government.
Reserve Powers
The President has some special powers that they can use on their own, or after talking with a group called the Council of State.
Powers Used Independently
The President has a few powers they can use without needing advice from the Government:
- Refusing to Dissolve the Dáil: If a taoiseach loses the support of the Dáil, they must resign. However, they can ask the President to dissolve the Dáil instead, which would lead to a new election. The President has the right to refuse this request, which would force the taoiseach to resign. This power has never been used.
- Appointing Council of State Members: The President appoints up to seven members to the Council of State and can remove them.
Powers Used After Consulting the Council of State
Before using some other special powers, the President must talk to the Council of State. However, the President does not have to follow their advice.
- Referring Bills to the Supreme Court: The President can send a bill to the Supreme Court to check if it follows the Constitution. If the Court finds any part unconstitutional, the whole bill fails. This is the most common special power used.
- Referring Bills to the People: If a majority of the Seanad and one-third of the Dáil ask, the President can decide not to sign an important bill into law. Instead, the bill would need to be approved by the people in a referendum or by the Dáil after a new election. This power has never been used.
- Communicating with Parliament and People: The President can give a speech or send a message to either or both houses of the Oireachtas. They can also send a message to the entire nation. The Government must approve the message first.
Life as President
The President's Home and Salary
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The President's official home is Áras an Uachtaráin. It is a large building with 92 rooms in Phoenix Park, Dublin. People usually call the President 'President' or 'Uachtarán'. Sometimes, they use the formal title 'Your Excellency'.
The President's official salary is €249,014 per year. The current President, Michael D. Higgins, chooses to receive this amount, even though he is entitled to a higher salary. The President also receives an additional €317,434 for expenses. The total budget for the President's office in 2017 was €3.9 million. This includes money for a special payment given to people on their 100th birthday.
Security and Transport
As the head of state, the President receives the highest level of protection in Ireland. Áras an Uachtaráin is guarded by armed police and military personnel. When the President travels, they always have an armed security team from the Garda Síochána (Irish police force).
The President travels in a special limousine, a dark navy blue Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This car displays the presidential flag. It is always accompanied by other support cars and police motorcycle escorts, forming a protective convoy.
For ceremonial events, the President uses a special 1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith car. The President also has access to Irish Air Corps aircraft, including helicopters and private jets, if needed.
List of Presidents
The Presidential Commission carried out the President's duties from 1937 until Douglas Hyde was elected in 1938. They also stepped in during vacancies in 1974, 1976, and 1997.
| No. | Portrait | Name (birth–death) |
Previous service | Term of office | Nominated by | Election | |||
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| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||||
| 1 |
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Douglas Hyde (1860–1949) |
Senator | 25 June 1938 | 24 June 1945 | 7 years | Fianna Fáil | 1938 | |
| Fine Gael | |||||||||
| 2 |
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Seán T. O'Kelly (1882–1966) |
Tánaiste (Deputy Head of Government) | 25 June 1945 | 24 June 1959 | 14 years | Fianna Fáil | 1945 | |
| Himself | 1952 | ||||||||
| 3 |
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Éamon de Valera (1882–1975) |
Taoiseach (Head of Government) | 25 June 1959 | 24 June 1973 | 14 years | Fianna Fáil | 1959 | |
| Himself | 1966 | ||||||||
| 4 | Erskine Hamilton Childers (1905–1974) |
Tánaiste (Deputy Head of Government) | 25 June 1973 | 17 November 1974 | 1 year, 145 days | Fianna Fáil | 1973 | ||
| 5 |
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Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh (1911–1978) |
Chief Justice of Ireland | 19 December 1974 | 22 October 1976 | 1 year, 308 days | All-party nomination | 1974 | |
| 6 |
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Patrick Hillery (1923–2008) |
European Commissioner | 3 December 1976 | 2 December 1990 | 14 years | Fianna Fáil | 1976 | |
| Himself | 1983 | ||||||||
| 7 |
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Mary Robinson (born 1944) |
Senator | 3 December 1990 | 12 September 1997 | 6 years, 283 days | Labour | 1990 | |
| Workers' Party | |||||||||
| 8 |
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Mary McAleese (born 1951) |
Professor of Criminal Law at Trinity College Dublin | 11 November 1997 | 10 November 2011 | 14 years | Fianna Fáil | 1997 | |
| Progressive Democrats | |||||||||
| Herself | 2004 | ||||||||
| 9 |
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Michael D. Higgins (born 1941) |
Minister for Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht | 11 November 2011 | Incumbent | 13 years, 362 days | Labour | 2011 | |
| Himself | 2018 | ||||||||
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Former presidents who are able and willing to act are members of the Council of State.
See also
In Spanish: Presidente de Irlanda para niños
- President of the Irish Republic
- Gaisce – The President's Award
- Seal of the president of Ireland
- Presidential standard of Ireland
- Secretary-General to the President (Ireland)
- Warrant of appointment
