Who are potential candidates for Ireland's next president after McGuinness' shock withdrawal & new businessman hopeful
RACE RESET Who are potential candidates for Ireland's next president after McGuinness' shock withdrawal & new businessman hopeful
THE PEOPLE of Ireland are set to head to the polls later this year to vote in the next president of the country; however, who are this year's candidates?
This year's election will see Michael D Higgins say goodbye to the presidency on 11 November 2025, after a 14-year term.
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Michael D Higgins will say goodbye to the presidency after 14 years in office
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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Mairead McGuinness unexpectedly withdrew from the race, citing medical grounds
Credit: Reuters
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Businessman Gareth Sheridan could become the youngest-ever presidential election candidate
Credit: Nutriband
Higgins was initially inaugurated as president in 2011, and then re-elected in 2018.
With the beloved public figure now set to step down, talk has turned to who will take his place as head of the Irish state.
Presidential elections must be held in Ireland within 60 days before the current presidential term finishes in November.
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However, there are certain criteria a candidate has to meet before they can be selected by a country-wide vote.
Candidates must be an Irish citizen and 35 years of age or older.
They must be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, or at least four local authorities, with former or retiring presidents allowed to nominate themselves.
In cases where just one candidate is nominated, he or she will be elected without a public vote. However, that is unlikely to happen this year.
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And, with the race likely to pick up speed in autumn, we have outlined some of the potential runners for the 2025 Presidential Election.
FINE GAEL
Former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness unexpectedly withdrew from the race yesterday, 14 August, on medical grounds.
In a statement, the former Fine Gael candidate revealed that the decision was not taken lightly, and that it followed a stay in hospital last week.
'Sad to see him go' - GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President
McGuinness had been front-runner in the election up to this point.
Now, the party will have to decide how to respond to her unexpected departure.
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While other Fine Gael names were previously linked to the race, many, such as MEP Sean Kelly and former Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, have since withdrawn their names.
Heather Humphreys was another name that had been mentioned in relation to the presidency.
For the moment it remains unclear who will come forward to replace McGuinness as the Fine Gael candidate.
THE 'LEFT' CANDIDATE
Independent TD Catherine Connolly launched her bid for the presidency last month.
Connolly has been steadily garnering support from left-leaning parties and TDs in recent months.
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The Galway West TD currently has the backing of the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, the Labour Party, and several independent TDs
Last month, Connolly told RTE's Raidio na Gaeltachta that she had already received the 20 nominations from Oireachtas members needed to stand in the election.
On 31 July, it was revealed that Connolly had received the formal backing of the Labour Party.
In an announcement, Labour TD Ciaran Ahern said: "At this evening's meeting, it was agreed that the Party should support Catherine Connolly as the left candidate for the presidency."
He added: "While there are issues where we have differed with Deputy Connolly, we are determined that the social democratic values of equality, justice and tolerance should shape the presidency over the next seven years and follow the legacy of Michael D Higgins."
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Connolly notably resigned from the party after she was denied the opportunity to run alongside Michael D. Higgins for the Galway West constituency in the 2007 General Election.
She has also been critical of Labour during the party's time in government, once claiming the party had "lost its soul".
SINN FEIN
Sinn Fein has yet to announce if it will run a presidential candidate.
First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill is seen as a likely candidate; however, party leader Mary Lou McDonald has refused to rule herself out of the contest.
McDonald has repeatedly said that Sinn Fein is still considering its options and that a decision will be arrived at in a few weeks.
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FIANNA FAIL
Fianna Fail is similarly undecided as to whether it will enter this year's election.
The party, which has not run a presidential candidate since 1997, may now decide to field a candidate in the wake of McGuinness's unexpected withdrawal.
Likely candidates linked to the party include former TDs Peter Power and Mary Hanafin.
GARETH SHERIDAN
Businessman Gareth Sheridan is the latest person to announce his plans to run for the Irish presidency.
The 35-year-old south Dublin native could become the youngest ever presidential election candidate, that is, if he manages to get on the ballot.
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Sheridan, who told RTE he's running to be a "representative for everyone," needs the support of four local authorities to get on the ballot paper.
The Tenure native has said he already has support in Tipperary and Laois county councils and that he is confident he can achieve the other four; however, he has yet to say which councils these will be.
Founder of the major health company Nutriband, Sheridan has confirmed he will step back from his role as CEO of the company to pursue the presidential bid.
Sheridan's company was valued at €100million in January.
RIVERDANCE
The 'King of Riverdance', Michael Flatley, is intending to seek a nomination to become Ireland's next president, a court was informed last month.
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The choreographer's barrister made the announcement during a High Court case he has taken in relation to works carried out at his mansion in Co Cork, the Castlehyde.
Barrister Ronnie Hudson notified the court of a 'material change in circumstances' for Flatley, and said he is to move back to Ireland within the next 14 days and look to run in the presidential election this autumn.
An affidavit, signed by Flatley's solicitor Maxwell Mooney, was submitted to the court stating that the Irish-American is 'to seek nominations to run for president of Ireland'.
Speaking to Brendan O'Connor on RTE Radio One prior to the courtroom revelation, the world-famous dancer said that he has been approached by many people and asked about his intentions.
And he said: "I've not made the decision, but I have a team of advisers that are advising me on this. I have a huge business to run."
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OTHER NAMES
Former Chief Medical Officer, Tony Holohan, has said he is still considering his options.
With McGuinness now out of the race, Holohan may now make a bid for the Aras.
Businessman Declan Ganley could also throw his hat into the race.
Ganley is understood to have been actively canvassing various independent TDs and senators looking for their backing in the upcoming election.
While former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has spoken out about the presidency in recent months, it is unlikely he will run given his current ineligibility to get on the ballot.
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Michael Flatley has yet to rule himself out of running for the presidency
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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With McGuinness now out of the race, Tony Holohan may make a bid for the presidency
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