Last weekend, Ireland elected a left-wing pacifist as its next president, continuing its trend of resisting the global rise of right-wing populism. This wasn’t a parliamentary election, though Catherine Connolly, an independent candidate, succeeded in uniting left-wing parties—some of which had previously been at odds—behind her. Presidential elections in Ireland are distinct: the role is mostly ceremonial, yet the president is viewed as the moral compass of Irish society.
Since 1990, when Mary Robinson became Ireland’s first female president, followed by Mary McAleese and Michael D Higgins, voters have consistently chosen progressive, intellectually substantial leaders. I believe Irish presidential winners reflect the leading edge of social values: Robinson championed feminism, McAleese bridged divides between north and south, Higgins embodied socialist poetry, and now Connolly represents an anti-war stance.
In Ireland, as in many places, government politics often feel disconnected from daily life. So how did a left-wing politician overcome voter apathy and build a broad coalition? What can progressives elsewhere learn from her win?
Connolly’s authenticity was her strength. Her upbringing in a large working-class family, raised by a widowed father in a Galway council house, shaped her commitment to social justice and equality. At 68, she’s an experienced politician and lawyer, but she also captured attention with viral videos showcasing her soccer and basketball skills. An avid runner and swimmer with a marathon personal best of 3 hours and 36 minutes, her campaign team even asked her to pause her rollerblading to avoid injury.
She’s not a fiery speaker but speaks softly and thoughtfully, avoiding soundbites. Instead, she emphasized her role in a “new republic” movement and her independence. This movement reflects Ireland’s ongoing cultural, social, and political shift: despite far-right agitation, the electorate is moving left, Celtic revival influences popular culture, the Irish language is gaining prominence, and discussions of Irish unity are becoming more practical than romantic. Connolly’s genuine approach resonated with voters tired of center-right politicians whose messages are polished to the point of being bland.
Her left-wing politics are unwavering. She has consistently opposed war and militarization, criticized the EU’s response to what many in Ireland see as the genocide of Palestinians, and called out the U.S. for funding and arming it. Her campaign highlighted solidarity with Palestine, and she supported the 2015 marriage equality and 2018 abortion rights referendums. She has also focused on climate change, disability rights, Ireland’s housing crisis, and promoting the Irish language, offering a positive vision rooted in equality.
When controversies arose, Connolly stood by her decisions, providing nuanced explanations instead of backtracking. Unlike her center-right opponent backed by Fine Gael, she avoided negative campaigning, maintained optimism, and stayed composed in debates.
Culturally in tune, she bypassed scripted media appearances for long interviews on popular podcasts, sharing her background and her vision for a presidency grounded in progressive values. Her campaign embraced grassroots organizing strategies.It operated more as a grassroots movement than a centralized party machine. Drawing inspiration from the decentralized volunteer networks that proved highly effective during Ireland’s marriage equality and abortion referendums, the campaign mobilized canvassers nationwide. This approach allowed supporters to embrace the cause in their own ways—from folk-musician fundraisers in rural pubs to murals, memes, student organizers rallying supporters, and social media influencers on Instagram and TikTok who were drawn to the campaign’s philosophy. These individuals amplified its message to their audiences, building momentum. Like all successful movements, Connolly’s campaign was open and adaptable.
Her team recognized visual culture as the primary mode of online communication and tapped into the motifs that resonate with younger generations. This led them to move away from the political branding styles of the 2000s and 2010s. Instead, the campaign’s design featured Celtic-inspired flourishes and drew from traditional Irish shopfront signs, similar to how New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani used hand-painted bodega signage. In an interview with the Journal, Anna Cassidy, the 26-year-old graphic designer behind the campaign’s brand identity, noted, “It shows that design can tell a story, convey a message, and connect with people emotionally and culturally.”
Although Connolly won’t have the power to solve the housing crisis, which is the leading political and social issue in Ireland today, she consistently addressed it. By meeting people where they are and using the language and imagery they relate to, she challenged the traditional methods of the political establishment. Her campaign demonstrated how to build an authentic connection with voters through positive and sophisticated outreach. Ultimately, Connolly had a message to share—but it was her innovative campaign tactics that captured people’s attention.
Una Mullally is a columnist for the Irish Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and clear FAQs about effectively communicating progressive ideas inspired by the approach of Irelands incoming president
General Beginner Questions
1 What does communicating progressive ideas actually mean
It means sharing new forwardthinking conceptslike social equality climate action or technological ethicsin a way that is clear persuasive and inspires people to support change
2 Why is it so hard to get people on board with new ideas
People are often comfortable with the status quo New ideas can feel threatening or abstract Effective communication helps overcome this fear and makes the benefits feel real and personal
3 Whats so special about how Irelands president communicates
The president is noted for using relatable stories simple language and a hopeful tone Instead of sounding academic or divisive they connect progressive values to everyday Irish life making them feel accessible and unifying
4 What are the key benefits of communicating this way
It can build broad public support bridge political divides mobilize people to take action and ensure that important conversations about the future remain constructive and inclusive
Advanced Strategic Questions
5 How do you frame a progressive idea so it doesnt feel alienating
Connect it to widely held traditional values For example frame climate action as stewardship for future generations or social justice as ensuring fair play for everyone This finds common ground
6 Whats a common mistake people make when advocating for change
A common mistake is leading with jargon statistics or a tone of moral superiority This can make listeners feel judged or stupid causing them to shut down instead of engaging
7 Can you give an example of reframing a progressive idea effectively
Instead of saying We need to defund X a more effective frame might be Lets reinvest our resources to create a more effective and equitable system that serves everyone better It focuses on a positive outcome rather than a punitive action
8 How does storytelling play a role in this
Stories are powerful Sharing a specific human example of how a policy affects a real person makes an abstract idea emotionally resonant and memorable Data informs but stories persuade
9 How do you handle pushback or criticism without losing your message
Acknowledge the critics concern to show youre listening then pivot back
