Waterford Council to host special meeting for Irish presidential hopefuls eyeing Áras run

Waterford City and County Council has confirmed it will hold a special meeting later this month for those hoping to secure a nomination in the upcoming Irish presidential election.

The meeting will take place at the Civic Offices in Dungarvan on Friday, September 19, at 2pm, when councillors will hear from nominees seeking the council's backing.

Anyone wishing to present their case must email hdunphy@waterfordcouncil.ie before 5pm on Friday, September 12. Requests received after this deadline will not be considered.

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The presidential election is scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025, as President Michael D. Higgins comes to the end of his second and final term in office.

Under the Irish Constitution, a candidate for President must be nominated either by:

• At least 20 members of the Oireachtas (TDs and Senators), or
• At least four local authorities.

This means Waterford City and County Council's meeting could prove crucial for candidates hoping to gather enough backing to appear on the ballot paper.

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Every local authority has the power to nominate just one candidate, and with 31 councils nationwide, presidential hopefuls will be travelling the country in the coming weeks to make their case.

The race for Áras an Uachtaráin is held every seven years, with the President serving as Ireland's Head of State. Higgins, first elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2018, is ineligible to seek a third term.