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Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories not their day The Fine Gael presidential curse: how the party have performed in every race for the Áras Fine Gael have come second in six of Ireland’s presidential elections over the past 90 years. 7.22pm, 25 Oct 2025 Share options YET AGAIN, FINE Gael has failed to win a presidential election, with some dubbing it ‘the curse of the Áras’. The party has come close several times since the role was created almost 90 years ago, but has never managed to get a candidate over the line. So just how close has Fine Gael come to winning the presidential elections in the past? 1938 to 1990 Douglas Hyde was elected as the first president of Ireland in 1938. He was supported by both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for the role, but he ran as an independent. Seán Mac Eoin, who was an Irish republican, was fielded by Fine Gael in the 1945 election. He had been Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces from February 1929 to October 1929, and later became Minister for Defence in 1951 and from 1954 to 1957. He was Minister for Justice from 1948 to 1951. Mac Eoin performed well in the first count. He received 335,539 first preference votes, but was pipped to the post by Fianna Fáil’s candidate Seán T O’Kelly (who received 537,965 first preference votes) in the second count. Advertisement O’Kelly was the only candidate nominated for the Presidency in 1952 and was automatically re-elected for a second term. Fine Gael ran Mac Eoin again in the 1959 election. However, he was up against former Taoiseach Eamon De Valera, who was elected on the first count with 538,003 first preference votes to Mac Eoin’s 417,536. In 1966, Thomas F O’Higgins, a Fine Gael politician and doctor, represented the party in the presidential election. O’Higgins received 548,144 first preference votes, narrowly losing out on the presidency to Eamon De Valera, who was re-elected on the first count with 558,861 first preference votes. O’Higgins ran again for Fine Gael in 1973, but was beaten by Erskine Childers in the first count by almost 50,000 first preference votes. When Erskine Childers died in 1974, Fine Gael entered an agreement with Fianna Fáil to support their nomination for Uachtarán na hÉireann, Cearbhaill Ó Dálaigh. When Ó Dálaigh resigned in 1976, Fine Gael did not field a candidate and there was only nomination for the Áras – Fianna Fáil’s candidate Patrick Hillery, who was automatically elected. As the only candidate in the race in 1983, Hillery was automatically re-elected for a second term. 1990 to present day There was a three-horse race in 1990, which saw Austin Currie as the Fine Gael candidate for the Áras. Related Reads Ireland's next president: The votes have been cast, but when will we know the offical result? Harris says 'we'll defy the skeptics' despite poll putting Connolly in clear lead Opinion: Fine Gael's confused campaign branding has done nothing to help Humphreys Currie was up against Fianna Fáil candidate Brian Lenihan, and Labour’s Mary Robinson, but he was eliminated on the first count and came third in the race. 1997 saw five Áras hopefuls: Adi Roche (Labour), Mary McAleese (Fianna Fáil), Mary Banotti (Fine Gael), Dana Rosemary Scallon (Independent) and Derek Nally (Independent). The race narrowed between Mary Banotti and Mary McAleese on the second count, but Fine Gael once again lost out to Fianna Fáil with a final tally of 706,259 votes to 497,516. Mary McAleese was automatically re-elected in 2004 as no other candidate entered the race. In 2011, there were seven candidates in the running for the presidency: Labour’s Michael D Higgins, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell, and independent candidates David Norris, Seán Gallagher, Dana Rosemary Scallon and Mary Davis. Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell received 113,321 first preference votes. However, Mitchell was eliminated on the third count and he came fourth in the race. Michael D Higgins was elected President of Ireland on the fourth count with 1,007,104 votes, the highest ever in the history of the State. In the 2018 election, Fine Gael opted not to field a candidate for the Presidential election and instead chose to support outgoing President Michael D Higgins. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Support The Journal Conor Brummell View 11 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “The Fine Gael presidential curse: how the party have performed in every race for the Áras”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “The Fine Gael presidential curse: how the party have performed in every race for the Áras”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. 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Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Fianna Fáil not their day Presidential Election The curse continues News in 60 seconds Catherine Connolly soaks up huge victory and historic mandate new woman in the áras Connolly pledges to 'shape a new republic' as she's elected president with largest vote ever How did your constituency vote? Here are the full results of the presidential election When does Michael D Higgins finish up and when will Catherine Connolly be inaugurated? 22 mins ago Clocks Going Back Doctor: As the time on the clock goes back, make sure you're listening to your body clock too Finish Line Never in doubt: Connolly freewheeled her way to the Áras in space of three months This election was a testing ground for left-wing parties ... but can they stay united? Christina Finn reports from Dublin Castle Catherine Connolly soaks up huge victory and historic mandate The Morning Lead Ireland's next president: The votes have been cast, but when will we know the offical result? 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