Conor McGregor's trip to Tipperary cancelled following his exit from the Presidential race

Conor McGregor will no longer be making his anticipated appearance before Tipperary County Council this week, after confirming his withdrawal from the Irish presidential race.

The MMA star turned political hopeful had been one of 23 candidates due to pitch for the council’s backing on Tuesday, but in a lengthy statement posted to X on Monday morning, McGregor announced he would not be pursuing his candidacy at this time.

McGregor described his short-lived campaign as a “sincere and genuine” attempt to run for the office of Uachtaráin na hÉireann, citing his pride in Irish identity and culture, his international profile, and his conversations with what he called “the forgotten Irish.”

The Dubliner reflected on recent travels to the US, where he attended commemorations for the 9/11 attacks and held discussions with American officials. He claimed his efforts were already generating momentum for political change in Ireland, but argued that the current system, dominated by what he called “Establishment woke politics,” was stacked against outsider candidates.

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“Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race,” McGregor wrote. “This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.”

Despite bowing out, McGregor insisted his political journey had only just begun, promising to return in future elections. He also pledged to continue using his international platform to “lobby for Ireland’s best interests socially and economically.”

For Tipperary, it means Tuesday’s council meeting will go ahead without its most high-profile prospective candidate. But McGregor’s brief foray into politics has already left its mark, shaking up the field, sparking debates around access to the presidency, and hinting that Ireland may not have seen the last of Conchúir Mac Gréagóir on the campaign trail.