In a result that was never in doubt, Catherine Connolly will become Ireland's 10th president, with an overwhelming victory.

That's the headline, but there's so much more to unpack here.

This was possibly the least enthusiastic presidential contest in Irish history. Voters here are used to six or seven candidates, with a diverse range of views, fighting it out in often chaotic debates.

This time round, there were just three. Then two.

Fianna Fail's Jim Gavin pulled out after one of the worst campaigns in recent history, leaving a two-horse race between independent Connolly and former cabinet minister Heather Humphreys.

Image: Heather Humphreys has conceded. Pic: Reuters

Humphreys, popular within Fine Gael, failed to make much of a connection with the electorate, and the party had pr

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