There was no exceptional candidate in a presidential field with three waffling Dragons. If this was a worthwhile exercise in democracy, we’re in trouble, writes Michael Clifford.

President Michael D Higgins was repeatedly attacked for his “extravagant” lifestyle and Learjet trips amid claims that he “could not lie straight in bed” over spending during tonight's high-profile presidential debate.

The mock Presidential election and a student council ballot were run together, by second-year pupils at the school.

He lugs his sense of injustice around like a piece of election literature, writes Michael Clifford.

All six presidential candidates will take part in a televised debate on Wednesday after Michael D Higgins and Sean Gallagher sat out of last night's debate with Claire Byrne on RTE.

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!

The show was forced to switch to an unscheduled ad break.

Businessman Seán Gallagher insists that the race to become President is not yet over even though Michael D Higgins appears to be assured of victory.

Presidential candidate Gavin Duffy has claimed that RTÉ is a "fan club" for President Michael D Higgins.

Presidential candidate Gavin Duffy has admitted he was “fully responsible” for a car crash 40 years ago that left a woman with severe injuries, after it was revealed that he was sued under a different name.

Four men and two women are in the mix for next month’s presidential election. Rebecca Black looks at their lives and careers as they embark on their election campaigns Michael D Higgins.

President Michael D Higgins and his main rival for the Áras, Sean Gallagher, are set to miss the opening debate in the race for the presidency.

Journalist Gemma O’Doherty has failed to secure the required number of county councils to contest the presidential race.

Journalist Gemma O’Doherty’s chances of becoming an official candidate in the presidential election race have dwindled dramatically after another council voted not to nominate anyone to contest next month’s vote.

Your lunchtime bulletin.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has denied Seán Gallagher is a “proxy candidate” for the party, claiming the label is “ridiculous” — despite ongoing support from grassroots members.

Presidential elections are that rare example of turkeys voting for Christmas, in the sense that except for a single bird destined to nest in the Áras, the others will be roughly stuffed before being roasted.

The race for Áras an Uachtaráin is officially underway.

President Michael D Higgins is expected to make a statement outlining his campaign intentions when his nomination papers for the race for the park are submitted later this month.

The presidential race opened up last night with the decision by Cork City Council to endorse Joan Freeman as their preferred candidate.

Latest: Businessman and Presidential hopeful Gavin Duffy has expressed his delight at securing the nomination of Meath Co Council to contest this year's Presidential election.

Would-be presidential candidate Kevin Sharkey has said he was called the N-word just six weeks ago and made a plea to be nominated as “Ireland’s first black president” to send out a message to racists.

Michael D Higgins must reimburse taxpayers for using publicly funded services, including cars, offices, or staff at Áras an Uachtaráin during his campaign for re-election, the State’s ethics watchdog has declared.

Foreign donations will be banned and individual contributions to candidates limited to €1,000 under draft guidelines for the presidential election.

Freelance journalist Gemma O'Doherty has announced her intention to run for the presidency.

Good morning. I would like to take the opportunity of this column to announce that I will not be running for the office of the presidency.

The double standards and discomfort of Michael D Higgins’ self-appointed adherents is comedy gold, writes Gerard Howlin

Catch up on all the headlines this lunchtime...

Since the news broke, Twitter has been lit with opinions on #Aras18.

The presidential election race will only be fairly run if the media asks the tough questions of all candidates, including Michael D Higgins, writes businessman and presidential election candidate

Businessman and TV personality Gavin Duffy will formally enter the presidential race within a week after leaning heavily on Fianna Fáil to allow councillors to nominate a contender for the role.

Fine Gael has formally agreed to back Michael D Higgins for a second term as president and closed the door on its party councillors supporting a rival for Áras an Uachtaráin.

Fine Gael are expected tonight to consider allowing party councillors back a non-party candidate for the presidential election, a move that will likely help Independents get nominated.

MEP Seán Kelly has called on Fine Gael to reconsider allowing a candidate to contest the presidency as he reiterated his desire to run for the Áras.

Potential presidential election candidate Gerard Craughwell has risked undermining his campaign by claiming the highest office in the country is a “meet and greet job” that has no impact on the general public.

Fiachra Ó Cionnaith breaks down the potential list of candidates for the Presidential race.

Lansdowne 24 Cork Constitution 10: Scott Deasy came back to scupper his former club on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch yesterday as Lansdowne earned a 24-10 win over Ulster Bank League champions Cork Constitution.

Self-described “underdog” Simon Coveney received a significant boost to his flagging campaign, as it has emerged he is the preferred choice of voters to lead Fine Gael over Leo Varadkar.

At the Red Cow Hotel, “underdog” Simon Coveney has come out fighting for the man in the sleeping bag on the street, as well as the businessmen, during the first of the Fine Gael leadership hustings.

The race to be the next taoiseach will heat up this evening as rivals Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney go head-to-head in the first of four nights of hustings for the Fine Gael leadership contest.

There are big games across the weekend with a number of finals to be decided. Clonmel’s bid for senior status continues on Saturday at home to Bangor while Young Munster await the winner of Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup semi-final between Cork Constitution and Richmond.

A REQUEST to Mayo supporters. No more “Mayo 4 Sam”. No more public displays of affection. We get that your longing for an All-Ireland is stronger than most if not everyone else. 

Stephen Rochford was officially ratified as Mayo senior football manager at a County Board meeting in MacHale Park, Castlebar last night.