Catherine Connolly built a winning coalition that reshaped the presidential race

Catherine Connolly’s early start, grassroots energy, and broad left-wing coalition powered a historic victory over Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys

Presidential Independent candidate Catherine Connolly leaves the count centre at the Galway Lawn Tennis club on her bike. Picture: Ray Ryan

The writing had been on the wall that Catherine Connolly was going to win the presidential election for several weeks.

After Jim Gavin’s departure from the race, polls began to show rising support for the Galway Independent TD, leaving Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys far behind.