University alum becomes President of Ireland

A Leeds alum will be inaugurated as President of Ireland following the country's election vote.

Catherine Connolly became the country's 10th president after Irish voters went to the polls on Friday 24 October. She graduated from Leeds in 1981 with an MSc in Clinical Psychology.

Connolly went on to work as a clinical psychologist and barrister, before she was elected to the Galway City Council as a Labour Councillor in 1999. She was elected as Mayor of Galway in 2004 and has represented Galway West in the lower house of the Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann, since 2016.

In 2020 she was elected by her peers as Deputy Speaker, Leas Cheann Comharlaire, becoming the first woman to hold the position.

An independent candidate who is backed by major left-wing parties, Catherine was eligible to stand for the 2025 presidential election after receiving the required endorsement of more than 20 members of the Dáil.

Connolly will serve a seven-year term as President. As Ireland's head of state, she will represent the country at home and abroad. She will take centre stage at major national events, ensure the constitution is followed, and as one of the most prominent political figures in the country, address the nation at Christmas and on St Patrick's Day. Connolly will also host dignitaries at the official presidential residence of Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin's Phoenix Park.

Professor Shearer West, University of Leeds Vice-Chancellor and President, said: "Our graduates make significant contributions to public life, health, business, science and the arts around the world.

"Several have also become successful leaders on the global stage.

"We are proud that our alumni community can now count a serving president within their ranks, as well as the UK Prime Minister."

For further details, contact the University of Leeds via [email protected]