Catherine Connolly (L) and Heather Humphreys (R).RollingNews.ie
President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina have been out early casting their votes in the Presidential election today, for the person who will effectively take their place at Áras an Úachtaráin.
Michael D was in his usual smiley form as he and his first lady, Sabina, posed for photos at the polling station at St. Mary’s Hospital in Phoenix Park.
The president’s staff applauded as he left the voting station.
President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina this morning cast their votes in the Presidential Election. Polls are open until 10pm tonight pic.twitter.com/5CpyaniAD9
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) October 24, 2025
The race has boiled down to a head-to-head contest between Independent candidate Catherine Connolly, who secured the backing of Sinn Féin and many others, and Heather Humphreys, the Fine Gael candidate who was a minister in the last coalition government.
They both hope to replace President Higgins, who has served since 2011, in two terms.
Ms. Connolly was photographed casting her ballot in the Claddagh in Galway at around 11.30 am on Friday, while Ms. Humphreys cast her vote in Monaghan alongside her daughter Eva and granddaughter Charlotte — who helped her granny put her vote in the box.
Every single vote makes a difference.
Catherine voting this morning in Galway.
Your vote is your voice,
Vote #1 Catherine ConnollyIs do vóta do ghlór,
— Connolly for President (@catherinegalway) October 24, 2025
Vótáil #1 Catherine Connolly pic.twitter.com/NlW39VJkFO
At the moment, turnout in the polling stations across the country is said to be slow, but is expected to pick up as people finish work for the long weekend and vote on their way home this evening.
Ireland Votes has estimated that in the first four hours of polling (7 am-11 am), turnout was around 6.1% — a 0.7% decrease from the same period in 2018, when President Higgins was handily re-elected.
The turnout is expected to be considerably lower than in the 2018 election, with several votes being spoiled following a campaign to do so.
Ms. Connolly is an overwhelming favourite to beat Ms. Humphreys, with a recent opinion poll finding her a massive 19% ahead of Ms. Humphreys, while Jim Gavin — who’s technically still on the ballot despite officially withdrawing from the election — still comes in at around 10%.
Job done. Thank you to my little granddaughter Charlotte for the help and thank you to all working so hard today in polling stations across the country.
Vote Heather Humphreys No.1 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/dQwPR5EpIp
— Heather Humphreys (@HeatherH) October 24, 2025
Counting of votes begins at 9 am tomorrow, with results expected some 12 hours later, on Saturday evening.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.