Paul Hosford: Final tally puts Catherine Connolly in the annals of history

In a job where the functions are largely dictated by the Constitution, Irish people have, in modern times, seen the role as an aspiration of what we believe we are

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly is congratulated by Taoiseach Micheál Martin after being named as the new president of Ireland at St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle, to replace Michael D Higgins, who has served the maximum two seven-year terms. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Within six minutes, it was over. A look at a few key ballot boxes just after 9am and Labour's Kevin Humphreys was calling the 2025 Irish presidential election.

The party's former TD is considered a count centre sage, and his early award for the race to Catherine Connolly ahead of his namesake, Heather Humphreys, set the stage for a day of watching the margin of victory.