While there have been a few sparks in the early stages of the race for the Áras, the presidential election campaign is yet to fully catch fire.
President Michael D Higgins’ 14-year term ends on 11 November, with a date in late October mooted for polling day.
The race is likely to pick up speed in autumn, leading to a short but intense campaign period for whoever throws their hat in the ring.
Here we look at some of the potential runners and riders for the 2025 Presidential Election.
Fine Gael
Former MEP Mairead McGuinness will not represent Fine Gael in the presidential election, and the party will have to consider how to respond to her unexpected departure.
Other Fine Gael names were previously linked to the race for the Áras. But MEP Séan Kelly withdrew from the race. Frances Fitzgerald, a former Minister for Justice, also took her name out.
Heather Humphreys was another name that had been mentioned in relation to the presidency. Whether those people will come forward now at this stage is very unclear.
Mairead McGuinness had been expected to criss-cross the country canvassing for votes – but has withdrawn her name on health grounds
Mairead McGuinness’s candidacy was to have been ratified at a party event in early September, leading many to believe she had been hoping to avoid the public spotlight for as long as possible.
However, after a stay in hospital, she issued a statement exiting the race for health reasons.
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris praised the former MEP’s “incredible contribution to public life in Ireland and in Europe”.
The Tánaiste said that the news came as “as an awful shock to us all”.
He concluded that his party “will consider further the Presidential election”.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, the party’s director of elections, added that the Fine Gael Executive Council will meet in the coming days “to discuss the next steps”.
Left-wing candidate
Independent TD Catherine Connolly launched her bid for the Áras last month.
She has been steadily garnering support from left-leaning parties and TDs, receiving the backing of the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, the Labour Party and a number of independents.
Catherine Connolly is all but confirmed to be running for president
The Galway West TD said she had already received the 20 nominations from Oireachtas members needed to stand in the election.
The Labour Party last month formally agreed to back Ms Connolly’s campaign, saying that while it has had “differences” with the Independent TD it believes she is “the left” candidate.
Ms Connolly resigned from the party after she was denied her wish to contest the Galway West constituency as a running mate of President Higgins in the 2007 General Election.
Ms Connolly was critical of Labour during the party’s time in government and once claimed the party had “lost its soul”.
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil has not run a presidential candidate since 1997, when its candidate Mary McAleese topped the poll, and the party is still undecided whether to enter this year’s contest.
After Ms McGuinness’s withdrawal, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said that his party will make a decision on whether it will field a candidate – or allow councillors to support an independent candidate – at the end of the month, or in early September.
If Fianna Fáil is to run a candidate, names linked to the party include former TDs Peter Power and Mary Hanafin.
Ms Hanafin is on the record saying she would love the opportunity to run for president as Fianna Fáil’s candidate and that she had spoken to Mr Martin about her desire to run.
Former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said he is considering entering the race
Two current Fianna Fáil MEPs had also been mentioned – Billy Kelleher and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú.
Then there’s the former SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, who has said he is considering entering the race, and would be considered a potential candidate for Fianna Fáil.
However, Taoiseach and party leader Micheál Martin poured cold water on any such suggestion, expressing surprise to hear Mr Eastwood’s name linked to his party, and professing ignorance of any engagement with the Foyle MP.
Many other names have done the rounds in Leinster House, including footballers Niall Quinn and Packie Bonner as well as former minister for justice Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.
Mr Martin, meanwhile, has definitively ruled himself out of entering the presidential race, saying he “definitely” will not be a candidate.
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is keeping its cards close to the vest.
First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill is seen by many as an ideal frontrunner for the party, and intrigue – not to mention headlines – was created when Mary Lou McDonald refused to rule herself out of the contest.
Ms McDonald has repeatedly said that Sinn Féin is considering its options and that an internal process is under way, with a decision to be arrived at in a few weeks.
Mary Lou McDonald or Michelle O’Neill could be potential contenders for Sinn Féin
The party has the electoral numbers to nominate its own candidate, and Belfast lawyer and MP John Finucane has been touted as a potential runner.
Former leader Gerry Adams could also be considered by the party.
Gareth Sheridan
Businessman Gareth Sheridan has said that he has the support of Tipperary and Laois county councils, as he seeks to secure a nomination to enter the presidential race.
The head of the pharma firm Nutriband, who officially launched his campaign in Dublin, expressed confidence that he could be proposed and seconded by six local authorities (although he named only the two above).
He told RTÉ’s News at One that he is seeking the presidency to speak out for young people in Ireland who he claimed “are completely disenfranchised”.
Aontú
One party which likely will not be backing Ms Connolly’s nomination is Aontú, with party leader Peadar Tóibín having spoken to two potential candidates – along with and other Oireachtas members – in a bid to build consensus around an alternative candidate.
He had warned of a danger that a section of the population would not have their values reflected if the contest were solely between Ms Connolly and Ms McGuinness – something we now know will not happen.
Mr Tóibín said that he had spoken to Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly, but was not suggesting the former RTÉ employee as a candidate.
Green Party
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has met Ms Connolly to discuss supporting her campaign.
The party’s executive committee has considered the proposal and is consulting the party membership, and hopes to make a decision on the matter this month.
Other names being touted
We have also heard from Tony Holohan, the former Chief Medical Officer. He said he is still considering his options. Things may change for him too after Mairead McGuinness withdrew from the race.
It is understood that businessman Declan Ganley could also perhaps throw his hat into the race.
Mr Ganley, who founded the short-lived Libertas party in 2009, is understood to have been actively canvassing various independent TDs and senators looking for their backing.
Dr Mike Ryan of the World Health Organization is another name linked with the presidency.
Businessman and former dancer Michael Flatley has not ruled himself out of running for the presidency, although he did not comment during an appearance at a Cancer exhibition in Dublin.
The choreographer of the world-famous Riverdance and Lord of the Dance shows has said that he has been approached by many people and asked about his intentions to run, which he “takes seriously”.
Peter Casey, who ran in 2018, has declared an interest in running.
He would probably require the support of local authorities, which would be difficult as they are controlled by the three major parties.
Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has been speaking about the presidency for months, but has made no announcement of an intention to run.
A Sunday Times report said that the MMC fighter was considering a legal challenge to the eligibility rules for the presidential elections.
Former RTÉ broadcaster Joe Duffy ruled himself out, saying he was not seeking any nomination for the office of president after some speculation in political circles.
Of course, others could still emerge over the coming weeks in hope of becoming Ireland’s 10th Uachtarán na hÉireann.