Copyright irishmirror
She was the underdog Independent TD who began her campaign before all the others and won with a resounding 63.4 per cent of the vote. Cheers erupted and tears flowed as Catherine Connolly was announced as the 10th President of Ireland at Dublin Castle on Saturday night. While the result was clear from very early on, that didn’t stop heightened emotions as the President-elect took to the podium at St Patrick’s Hall. Ms Connolly has been praised for her ability in not giving too much away, but both joy and relief were visible on her face. Young kids donned Connolly-branded T-shirts as the Georgian room was filled with green and orange. The main honchos of her backing puddled together in the packed hall, including Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, Social Democrats Holly Cairns and Labour’s Ivana Bacik. Before being declared as the President, it was significant to watch Ms Connolly hugging all the female leaders that backed her, while her only opponent in the election was also a woman. But unlike the Taoiseach, we are not strangers to a female President in this country, with Ms Connolly being the third after Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese. Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys humbly stood on stage beside Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, but she couldn’t hide the disappointment on her face. The President-Elect was joined at the podium by her adoring family, husband Brian McEnery and her adult sons. While Ms Connolly winning by a landslide was significant, the massive number of spoiled votes was really the story of the day. Even during her declaration the room was reminded about the 12.9 per cent of non-voters who spoiled their ballot. As invalid votes were announced by the returning officer, one man in the room screamed and cheered. This was met by a disapproving look on the Tánaiste’s face, as everyone turned to look at who was making the noise. Despite her team knowing she had it in the bag for the week leading up to D-day, there were tears in the crowd when she was declared the President. From a huge number of volunteers to her campaign manager, Beibhinn O'Connor, they were congratulated by all for their tireless work since July. With keepie uppies to unnamed cats and rollerblading escapades, her team managed to portray a persona outside politics. But it was her debating skills and ability to hold herself when asked tough questions that analysts say won her the vote. And she finished off her campaign in Dublin Castle as she started- with a speech As Gaeilge reminding the country she will be a President for All, even to those who spoiled her votes. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here .
