The Presidents of Ireland: 1938–Present

Douglas Hyde 1938–1945

An experienced academic and professor rather than a politician, Douglas Hyde’s career was dominated by his desire to preserve and promote the Gaelic language. Such was the impact of his work that he was supported by all the main parties in the election, which made him the first president of Ireland.

Sean Thomas O'Kelly 1945–1959

​Unlike Hyde, Sean O’Kelly was a longtime politician who was involved in the early years of Sinn Féin, fought against the British in the Easter Rising, and worked in succeeding layers of government, including that of Eámon de Valeria, who would succeed him. O’Kelly was elected for the maximum two terms and then retired.

Eámon de Valera 1959–1973

Perhaps the most famous Irish politician of the presidential era (and with good reason), Eámon de Valera was taoiseach/prime minister and then president of the sovereign, independent Ireland he did so much to create. A president of Sinn Féin in 1917 and founder of Fianna Fáil in 1926, he was also a respected academic.

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Erskine Childers 1973–1974

Erskine Childers was the son of Robert Erskine Childers, an acclaimed writer, and politician who was executed in the struggle for independence. After taking a job at a newspaper owned by De Valera’s family, he became a politician and served in many positions, eventually being elected president in 1973. However, he died the next year.

Cearbhall O'Dalaigh 1974–1976

A career in law saw Cearbhall O'Dalaigh become Ireland’s youngest attorney general, a Supreme Court judge and chief justice, as well as a judge in the burgeoning European system. He became president in 1974, but his fears over the nature of an Emergency Powers Bill, itself a reaction to IRA terrorism, led him to resign.

Patrick Hillery 1976–1990

After several years of upheaval, Patrick Hillery bought stability to the presidency. After saying he would serve only one term, he was asked back by the main parties to stand for a second. A medic, he transitioned into politics and he served in the government and the European Economic Community.

Mary Robinson 1990–1997

Mary Robinson was an accomplished lawyer, a professor in her field, and had a record of promoting humans rights when she was elected president. She became the most visible holder of the office to that date, touring and promoting Ireland’s interests. She took more liberal positions than her predecessors and gave the presidency a more prominent role. When her seven years were up she moved into a role as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and continued to campaign on those issues.

Mary McAleese 1997–2011

The first president of Ireland to be born in Northern Ireland, McAleese was another lawyer who transitioned into politics. She turned a controversial start (as a Catholic, she took communion in a Protestant church in one of her bridge-building attempts) into a career as one of the best-regarded presidents of Ireland.

Michael D. Higgins 2011–

A published poet, respected academic, and long-time Labour politician, Michael D. Higgins was considered an incendiary figure early on but turned into something of a national treasure, winning the election in no small part due to his speaking ability.

On Oct. 25, 2018, Higgins was re-elected to a second term as Irish president after receiving 56 percent of the country's votes.