Heather and Connolly to meet for ‘G&T’

'Politics is about putting your name on the ballot. If you win, you win; if not, it’s a rejection. I knew what I was doing, and I’m glad I did it.'

Heather Humphreys has revealed that, before one of their recent televised debates, she and presidential election rival Catherine Connolly agreed on one topic of substance - that once the election dust settles, both would sit down together for a quiet gin and tonic.

“First, I want to congratulate Catherine Connolly on becoming the next President of Ireland. We are fortunate to live in a democracy, and I believe Catherine will be a president for all of us. She will be my president, and I wish her all the best,” Humphreys said.

"The last time I met Catherine was before a debate, and we had a brief chat. We agreed that, no matter the outcome, we’d share a gin and tonic afterward, and I’m looking forward to that.”

Humphreys stressed the importance of “respect” in democracy, highlighting how integral it is for healthy political discourse. But she expressed particular concern about the online “sectarian abuse” she faced during the campaign, something she had not encountered before.

“There was a lot of online sectarian abuse, which I had never experienced in any previous election. It was hurtful, especially for my family. I genuinely thought we had moved on as a country, but clearly, there’s more work to be done.

"I’ve always represented everybody, whether helping a GAA club with a grant or supporting a local church hall. I’ve treated everyone with respect, and I believe there needs to be a deeper understanding and respect for all traditions if we’re going to move forward.”

When asked about the possibility of a referendum on a united Ireland, Humphreys called for more meaningful dialogue in light of current tensions. She acknowledged the significance of the Unionist community in Northern Ireland and expressed concern about the negative rhetoric surrounding the issue of religion.

“There’s a significant Unionist population in Northern Ireland, and I’ve heard from people asking, 'What chance do we have?' when that kind of commentary enters political discourse. We need to deepen understanding.

"After my campaign launch, I faced personal attacks, but I’d still love people to attend Drum Picnic next year. It’s a cultural event with music, tea, and conversation, and it’s important to understand the nuances between different types of events.”

Humphreys also reflected on the challenge of defending 14 years of government during the campaign, acknowledging that it wasn’t easy. She noted that no Fine Gael candidate has ever won the presidency, and the last candidate, Mairead McGuinness, received only 6% of the vote in 2011.

The controversy surrounding Jim Gavin’s withdrawal also came up, and Humphreys acknowledged that some voters were disappointed by the lack of candidates on the ballot.

“Perhaps the government should consider ways to make it easier for more people to run,” she said. “But ultimately, it’s the people’s choice that matters most - that’s democracy.”

Reflecting on her decision to run for president, Humphreys though says she had no regrets.

“Absolutely none. I had the opportunity in August, and I took it. Politics is about putting your name on the ballot. If you win, you win; if not, it’s a rejection. I knew what I was doing, and I’m glad I did it.

"Travelling around the country, I saw how wonderful Ireland is, and I’m deeply grateful for the support from Cavan and Monaghan. Those counties really stepped up.”