Progessive independent Catherine Connolly has been elected Ireland's president by a landslide margin in a stinging rebuke to the recently re-elected conservative coalition.

Connolly, 68, a long-time critic of the European Union in overwhelmingly pro-EU Ireland backed by the left-dominated opposition, was not a household name and was underestimated by many at the start of the contest for the largely ceremonial role.

Connolly, an independent candidate, built momentum as the campaign progressed, enthused younger voters and was elected with 63.4 per cent of the vote.

The other candidate seeking election, ex-cabinet minister Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael, won 29.5 per cent.

Jim Gavin, a candidate from Fianna Fail party who quit the race three weeks before the election but whose name remain

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