Jim Gavin is Fianna Fáil's candidate for Ireland's 2025 Presidential election.RollingNews.ie
Jim Gavin will represent Fianna Fáil in Ireland's Presidential election, the polling for which will be held on October 24.
Gavin, 54, was selected over fellow contender MEP Billy Kelleher by Fianna Fáil's parliamentary party 41-29 in a secret ballot on Tuesday, September 9.
While there are 71 members of Fianna Fáil's parliamentary party, only 70 voted - some by proxy - as the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Mark Daly did not have a vote.
Gavin is Fianna Fáil's first presidential candidate since 1997.
Speaking after clinching the Fianna Fáil nomination, Gavin said in a statement: "I believe in this country, and I believe in the unique and positive role played by Uachtarán na hÉireann [President of Ireland].
"Each holder of the office has added to it and helped it to grow and serve the people better, and that's exactly what I want to do, if elected.
"I want to be an active president who visits every part of our island regularly, who works to bring us together and promotes the best in our country, and who will represent our values and interests throughout the world."
I’m honoured to be contesting the election for the President of Ireland.
My life has been intertwined with service to people and service to community. I'm a constitutional Republican ready to serve our country again.
I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail. pic.twitter.com/Ge51tDXE2A
— Jim Gavin For President (@gavinforthearas) September 10, 2025
Who is Jim Gavin?
Prior to landing on this year's ballot, Gavin served for 20 years in the Air Corps of Óglaigh na hÉireann, Ireland's Defence Forces.
From 2012 to 2019, Gavin, whose parents are from Co Clare, managed Dublin's Senior GAA Football team, during which time the county captured six championship titles, including an unprecedented five-in-a-row streak.
After his successful GAA managerial run, Gavin, a qualified commercial pilot, began working for the Irish Aviation Authority, rising to the level of Chief Operations Officer.
Elsewhere, he previously served as chairman of the Citizens’ Assembly on Dublin, and, since 2023, has served as the chairperson of the North-East Inner City Taskforce in Dublin.
Jim Gavin, pictured here in 2022. (RollingNews.ie)
Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin - who had previously backed Gavin to be his party's nominee - said Gavin will "make an outstanding president."
Congratulations to Jim Gavin on his selection to contest the presidential election.
He will make an outstanding president given his experience as a peacekeeper, his work in aviation and his overall service to community and nation. pic.twitter.com/XIyhySglWe
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 9, 2025
Gavin is now the third officially confirmed candidate for this year's election, following Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys.
Candidates must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas; at least four local authorities; or former or retiring Presidents can nominate themselves to appear on the ballot. (With current President Michael D. Higgins serving his second term, he is ineligible to run again.)
The nomination period for Ireland's 2025 presidential election began on Friday, September 5, and will close at noon on Wednesday, September 24.
A nomination paper must be delivered by the candidate or one or more of the persons making the nomination or, in the case of a city, or county, or city and county council, by an official of the council.
A nominated candidate may withdraw his or her nomination at any time before the completion of the ruling on nominations, but not thereafter.
Other contenders understood to be seeking nominations to get on the ballot paper are Conor McGregor, Gareth Sheridan, Peter Casey, Nick Delehanty, Kieran McCarthy, and Maria Steen.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, former Met Éireann forecaster Joanna Donnelly, and Irish dance superstar Michael Flatley have all announced that they will not be running.