President of Ireland

The president of Ireland (Irish: Uachtarán na hÉireann) is the head of state of Ireland and the supreme commander of the Irish Defence Forces. The presidency was created by the Constitution of Ireland in 1937, and the first president began their term in 1938. The role became fully recognized internationally as the head of state in 1949, after the Republic of Ireland Act came into effect.

The president lives and works in Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park, Dublin. While the job is mostly ceremonial, representing Ireland at home and abroad, the president also has some important powers protected by the constitution. Many see the president as a protector of citizens' rights and a guardian of the constitution.

Presidents are chosen by the people for seven-year terms and can serve up to two terms. The current president is Catherine Connolly, who began her term on 11 November 2025 after winning the 2025 Irish presidential election. She is the tenth person to hold the office and the third woman president, after Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.

History

The role of president of Ireland was created in 1937, replacing the older position of governor-general from the time of the Irish Free State. The idea for a seven-year term came from how presidents served in Weimar Germany. Some people worried it might lead to a dictatorship, but presidents have mostly stayed in the background, staying out of politics.

From 1937 to 1949, it wasn't totally clear if the president or the king of Ireland was the real head of state. This changed in 1949 when Ireland became a republic. Even though the constitution didn’t name the president as head of state, it gave the president important duties like appointing the government.

The presidency stayed quiet and ceremonial for many years, often avoiding elections to keep things calm. But in the 1990s, things changed. President Mary Robinson made the office more active, building connections with other countries and focusing on helping poorer nations.

Mode of selection and term of office

Election

Main article: Irish presidential election

The president of Ireland is chosen by the people in a special vote called an election. People who are Irish citizens and at least 18 years old can vote. The voting uses a system where people rank their choices, and the person with the most support wins.

To be a candidate, a person must be an Irish citizen and at least 35 years old. A president can serve for two terms in office, each lasting seven years. People can nominate themselves or be chosen by members of the government or local councils. Sometimes, there is only one candidate, so no vote is needed, and that person becomes president automatically. The last election was held on 24 October 2025.

Absence of a president

Main article: Presidential Commission (Ireland)

Ireland does not have a vice president. If something happens and the president can no longer serve, a new election must be held within sixty days. While waiting for a new president or if the president is away, three important people — the chief justice, the speaker of the government, and the chairperson of the upper government group — share the president’s duties. This group is called the Presidential Commission.

If the old president is re-elected, they become president again only after they officially start their new term. There have been three times when the presidency was empty, such as when a president left office early.

Routine functions

The Constitution of Ireland sets up a parliamentary system where the head of state mostly has ceremonial duties. The president is one part of Ireland's parliament, called the Oireachtas, which also includes Dáil Éireann (the lower house) and Seanad Éireann (the upper house). In this role, the president can enact and promulgate important laws.

Unlike in many other countries, the president does not act as the main leader of the government. Instead, the Government holds this power. Most of the president's duties must follow the Constitution or the advice of the Government. The president can give advice, encouragement, or warnings to the Government about public matters. The president also has some special powers they can use if they choose, which are explained in another section.

Constitutional functions

The Constitution requires the president to do several important jobs:

Appoint the Government

The president formally appoints the taoiseach (Ireland's head of government) and ministers. The taoiseach is chosen by the Dáil, and the president must appoint them. Other ministers are chosen by the taoiseach and approved by the Dáil. The president can only dismiss ministers if the taoiseach advises it.

Appoint judges

The president appoints judges to all courts in Ireland based on the advice of the Minister for Justice.

Appoint state officers

The president appoints important officials like the attorney general and the comptroller and auditor general. These appointments are made based on advice from the taoiseach or the Dáil.

Convene and dissolve the Dáil

The president can call meetings of the Dáil or end them, but usually does this based on the advice of the taoiseach.

Sign bills into law

The president signs bills to make them official laws. They cannot refuse to sign a bill that both the Dáil and the Seanad have approved, but they can check if a bill is fair by sending it to the Supreme Court.

Represent Ireland abroad

The president represents Ireland in international matters, such as meeting foreign leaders and signing treaties, but does this based on the advice of the Government.

Serve as Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces

The president is the top leader of the Defence Forces, though this role is mostly symbolic and follows the advice of the Government.

Exercise the prerogative of mercy

The president has the power to forgive or reduce punishments for certain crimes, but usually does this based on the advice of the Government.

Statutory functions

In addition to the main duties, the president also:

Appoints certain state officials

The president appoints various important people to state positions based on the advice of the Government.

Appoints a Beatty Library trustee

The president appoints one member to the board of the Chester Beatty Library.

Serves as head of certain charities

The president is the official leader of some charities, like the Irish Red Cross Society.

Civic functions

Besides the official duties, the president also:

Awards the dignity of Saoi for life

The president gives a special title called Saoi to members of Aosdána, a group of Irish artists.

Supports charities

The president supports many charities in Ireland, choosing which ones based on their own ideas for their time in office.

Special limitations

The president cannot travel outside Ireland without the Government's permission. When speaking to the nation or to the parliament, the president must get approval from the Government first. Some past presidents have spoken more freely without this approval.

Reserve powers

The president of Ireland has special powers that can be used on their own decision. One of these powers allows the president to refuse a request to dissolve the Dáil, which is like dissolving parliament. This has never been used, but there were times when it could have been used.

The president can also appoint up to seven members to the Council of State, a group that advises the president.

Before using some of these special powers, the president must talk to the Council of State, but they do not have to follow the Council's advice. The president can refer bills to the Supreme Court to check if they follow the rules, but this cannot be done for certain types of bills like money bills or bills to change the Constitution.

The president can also decide to hold a vote of the people on a bill if asked by certain members of the parliament, but this power has never been used.

The president has powers to help keep the government running smoothly, like setting time limits for when bills can be considered or helping solve disagreements between the two parts of parliament.

The president can also send messages to the parliament or the people of Ireland, but this needs approval from the government.

Privileges of office

The president of Ireland has an official home called Áras an Uachtaráin, which is located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. This big house has many rooms and was used by important leaders before becoming the president’s home. Sometimes the president stays in another house in the same park while their main home is being fixed up.

When people talk to the president, they usually say “President” or use a special title in Irish. The president’s day starts with a special salute from the national anthem.

The president has an office with staff who help with important tasks. The office works closely with the government to make sure everything runs smoothly. The president can also choose some special helpers for tasks like giving speeches or talking to the public.

When a new president starts their job, there is a special ceremony. This happens the day after the old president leaves. Many important people from the government, courts, and other countries come to watch. The ceremony is shown live on television.

The president gets a salary for their work. The money they earn is set by law and cannot be reduced while they are in office. The president also has security guards who travel with them everywhere to keep them safe. The president uses special cars, including a navy blue limousine, when they go out. There are also motorbikes and other vehicles that help protect the president. The president can also use airplanes when needed.

Issues of controversy

Presidential role in Northern Ireland

See also: Names of the Irish state and Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland

When the Constitution of Ireland was created in 1937, it talked about all of the island of Ireland. This made some people in Northern Ireland unhappy because that area belonged to the United Kingdom. Over time, leaders from both sides worked to improve their relationship.

Since the 1990s, presidents of Ireland have visited both parts of the island more often. This helped show that leaders from Ireland and the United Kingdom could work together peacefully.

Suggestions for reform

People have talked about changing the role of the president of Ireland. Some think the job should stay the same, while others believe it could be updated to better match what people need today. There have been discussions about making the president's role clearer and improving how the government works together.

List of presidents of Ireland

The role of the president was handled by the Presidential Commission from December 29, 1937, until Douglas Hyde was elected in 1938. It also took over during empty periods in 1974, 1976, and 1997.

Past presidents who can and are willing to help are part of the Council of State.