:2011 Irish presidential election

{{Main|Irish presidential election}}

To qualify, candidates had to:Article 12 of the Constitution of Ireland {{cite web|url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Youth_Zone/About_the_Constitution,_Flag,_Anthem_Harp/Constitution_of_Ireland_March_2010.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206021320/http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Youth_Zone/About_the_Constitution%2C_Flag%2C_Anthem_Harp/Constitution_of_Ireland_March_2010.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date= 6 February 2011 |title=Constitution of Ireland — Bunreacht na hÉireann |date=March 2010 |publisher=Department of the Taoiseach |access-date=10 September 2010 }}

• be a citizen of Ireland
• be at least 35 years of ageThe 1996 report of the Constitution Review Group notes "There is an apparent discrepancy between the English and Irish versions. The Irish version has 'ag a bhfuil cúig bliana tríochad slán' (that is, has completed thirty-five years), whereas the English version is 'who has reached his thirty-fifth year of age', which could mean has entered rather than completed that year." As according to article 25.5.4 of Bunreacht na hÉireannn in "case of conflict... the text in the national language (Irish) shall prevail", this means a candidate must be at least 35 years old. {{cite book|title=Report of the Constitution Review Group|archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721123405/http://www.constitution.ie/reports/crg.pdf|url=http://www.constitution.ie/reports/crg.pdf|date=July 1996|pages=25, 42}}
• be nominated by:
• at least twenty of the 226 serving members of the Houses of the Oireachtas (parliament), or
• at least four of the 34 county or city councils, or
• themself, in the case of a former president who has served one term.

Presidential elections are conducted under the Presidential Elections Act 1993, as amended. Constitutionally, the election must be held not more than 60 days before the ending of the term of office of the incumbent, or within 60 days of the office becoming vacant.{{cite web |url=https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/how_president_elected-english.pdf |title=How The President is Elected |publisher=Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government |access-date=24 October 2011 |archive-date=20 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220211018/http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/how_president_elected-english.pdf |url-status=live }} On 27 July the government announced that the election would be held on 27 October 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/presidential-election-set-for-a-thursday-despite-objections-in-the-past-187261-Jul2011/ |title=Presidential election set for a Thursday, despite objections in the past |publisher=thejournal.ie |date=28 July 2011 |access-date=21 August 2011 |archive-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923233949/http://www.thejournal.ie/presidential-election-set-for-a-thursday-despite-objections-in-the-past-187261-Jul2011/ |url-status=live }} An order was made on 30 August by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government declaring 28 September to be the last day on which nominations could be received.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0830/breaking41.html|title=Presidential election date named|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=30 August 2011|archive-date=30 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830233521/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0830/breaking41.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.housing.gov.ie/local-government/voting/presidential-elections/presidential-election-order|title=Presidential Election Order|date=30 August 2011|publisher=Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government|access-date=30 August 2011|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218143829/http://www.housing.gov.ie/local-government/voting/presidential-elections/presidential-election-order|url-status=live}} The election was conducted by means of the alternative vote (also called instant runoff voting), which is the single-winner analogue of the single transferable vote used in other Irish elections. Although the constitution calls the system "proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote", a single-winner election cannot be proportional.{{cite book|author=Constitution Review Group |title=Report |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721123405/http://www.constitution.ie/reports/crg.pdf |chapter-url=http://www.constitution.ie/reports/crg.pdf#page=22 |access-date=18 October 2011 |year=1996 |publisher=Government of Ireland |page=22 |chapter=Article XII – XIV The President |url-status=dead }} All Irish citizens entered on the current electoral register were eligible to vote.{{cite web |url=http://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/es/ese/ese01/ese01c |title=Electing a President — Preferential Voting |publisher=ACE: The Electoral Knowledge Network |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-date=23 February 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223075238/http://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/es/ese/ese01/ese01c |url-status=live }}

Following the general election in February 2011, as well as subsequent Seanad election, only three political parties had the 20 members of Oireachtas required to nominate a candidate: Fine Gael (76 TDs and 19 senators), the Labour Party (37 TDs and 13 senators) and Fianna Fáil (19 TDs and 14 senators). Sinn Féin, the next largest party in the Dáil Éireann, had 14 TDs and 3 senators. For other candidates to be nominated by Oireachtas members, support would have been required from members of smaller parties, independents (of which there were then 14 TDs and 11 senators) or excess members of the three larger parties.

Gay Mitchell, MEP for Dublin and former TD for Dublin South-Central was chosen as the Fine Gael candidate at a special convention held on 9 July 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0709/breaking24.html|title=Mitchell chosen as FG candidate|last=De Bréadún|first=Deaglán|date=9 July 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-date=12 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812171257/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0709/breaking24.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0610/breaking13.html|title=Mitchell to seek FG nomination|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=10 June 2011|access-date=10 June 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024043859/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0610/breaking13.html|url-status=live}}

Fine Gael had initially produced a shortlist of three candidates in March 2011: John Bruton, Seán Kelly and Mairead McGuinness.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fine-gael-reveals-presidential-wishlist-2587164.html|title=Fine Gael reveals presidential wishlist|last=Sheehan|first=Fionnan|date=21 March 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=21 March 2011|archive-date=23 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323005025/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fine-gael-reveals-presidential-wishlist-2587164.html|url-status=live}} Bruton, a former Taoiseach and European Union Ambassador, ruled himself out of the contest on 28 May 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0528/president.html|title=John Bruton rules out running for President|date=28 May 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=28 May 2011|archive-date=29 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529150934/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0528/president.html|url-status=live}} Kelly, an MEP and former President of the Gaelic Athletic Association indicated on 1 June 2011 that he would not be seeking the party's nomination, and wished to continue serving in the European Parliament.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0602/president.html|title=Kelly will not seek Presidential nomination|date=2 June 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=2 June 2011|archive-date=3 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603063944/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0602/president.html|url-status=live}} The party approached Nobel laureate poet Seamus Heaney in late 2010, but Heaney declined to stand unless he was an agreed cross-party candidate.{{cite news|title=No President Heaney|last=McCarthy|first=Justine|date=20 March 2011|work=Sunday Times|pages=1, 3}}

Four candidates sought nomination at the party convention in July 2011:

• Gay Mitchell, MEP for Dublin and former TD for Dublin South-Central. He had announced that he would be seeking the party's nomination in June 2011, having been contacted by "a large number of senior figures in the party".{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0615/1224298937952.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209171257/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0615/1224298937952.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 December 2011|title=Cox clears hurdle in bid for presidency as FG accepts him|last=McGee|first=Harry|date=15 June 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=15 June 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/crowded-field-makes-winning-presidency-no-walk-in-park-2672712.html|title=Crowded field makes winning Presidency no walk in Park|last=Sheehan|first=Maeve|date=12 June 2011|work=Sunday Independent|access-date=12 June 2011|archive-date=15 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615065748/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/crowded-field-makes-winning-presidency-no-walk-in-park-2672712.html|url-status=live}}
• Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament and former Progressive Democrats/Independent MEP.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0511/1224296700527.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024043835/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0511/1224296700527.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2012|title=Cox takes soundings over Áras prospects|last=Minihan|first=Mary|date=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=11 May 2011}} Early in June 2011, press reports indicated that Cox, who had stated his desire to stand as an independent candidate, was seeking to join Fine Gael to be eligible for the party's nomination. His application to join the party was accepted by Fine Gael's National Executive Committee on 14 June.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0606/1224298471320.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024025740/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0606/1224298471320.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2012|title=Cox seeks to join FG and run as party presidential candidate|last=McGee|first=Harry|date=6 June 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=6 June 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0614/president.html|title=Pat Cox becomes member of Fine Gael|date=14 June 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=14 June 2011|archive-date=16 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616225305/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0614/president.html|url-status=live}} He launched his campaign for the Fine Gael nomination on 17 June 2011, describing it as a "one-shot opportunity" and that if he failed to be nominated by the party he would not stand as an independent.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cox-trails-two-meps-in-battle-for-fgs-aras-nomination-2678729.html|title=Cox trails two MEPs in battle for FG's Aras nomination|last=Brennan|first=Michael|date=18 June 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=18 June 2011|archive-date=19 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619040650/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cox-trails-two-meps-in-battle-for-fgs-aras-nomination-2678729.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0618/1224299153804.html|title=Cox opens campaign to win FG presidential nomination|last=Cullen|first=Paul|date=18 June 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=18 June 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024043845/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0618/1224299153804.html|url-status=live}} Cox was claimed by the Irish Independent to be the preferred choice of Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Fine Gael leadership.{{cite news|title=Kenny seen to 'slump' as Mitchell wins nomination|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/kenny-seen-to-slump-as-mitchell-wins-nomination-2817752.html|last=McConnell|first=Daniel|date=10 July 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=12 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712024352/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/kenny-seen-to-slump-as-mitchell-wins-nomination-2817752.html|url-status=live}}
• Avril Doyle, former MEP and TD. On 21 June 2011, she announced her candidacy.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0621/president.html|title=Avril Doyle seeks FG nomination in Áras bid|date=21 June 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=21 June 2011|archive-date=24 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624044346/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0621/president.html|url-status=live}} She withdrew from the contest on 7 July stating that she realised she was unlikely to receive the nomination.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0707/president.html|title=Doyle withdraws from Presidential campaign|date=7 July 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=7 July 2011|archive-date=10 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710024851/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0707/president.html|url-status=live}}
• Mairead McGuinness, MEP for the East constituency, former presenter of Ear to the Ground on RTÉ One and former journalist with the Irish Independent. She announced her bid for the Fine Gael nomination in April 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0415/breaking64.html|title=Maireád McGuinness in Áras bid|date=15 April 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=15 April 2011|archive-date=4 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804160519/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0415/breaking64.html|url-status=live}}

Voting was by secret ballot, with an electoral college consisting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party (TDs, Senators and MEPs) with 70% of the vote, county and city councillors (20%) and the twelve-member executive council (10%).{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0611/1224298736220.html|title=FG is not parachuting candidate, says Shatter|author=Arthur Beesley & Paul Cullen|date=11 June 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=12 June 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024043824/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0611/1224298736220.html|url-status=live}}

On the announcement that Mitchell had won the nomination, the Sunday Independent stated that party leader Enda Kenny was seen to slump and "could barely contain his disappointment." When questioned by a journalist on his apparent disappointment, Kenny responded sharply "Am I supposed to be going around grinning like a Cheshire Cat at everything?"

The Labour Party candidate was Michael D. Higgins. He was chosen jointly by the party's National Executive and the Labour Parliamentary Party at a special convention on 19 June 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0619/president.html|title=Michael D Higgins wins Labour Áras nomination|date=19 June 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-date=20 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110620191433/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0619/president.html|url-status=live}}

The former TD and minister originally indicated that he was interested in receiving the party's nomination in September 2010.{{Cite news |title=Higgins seeks Labour Party nomination for presidency |author=Deaglán de Bréadún |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=10 September 2010 |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0910/1224278569111.html |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023063746/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0910/1224278569111.html |url-status=live }} Like Higgins, two other candidates put their names forward in late May 2011:

• Fergus Finlay, Chief Executive of Barnardo's children's charity, announced on 9 September 2010 that he would seek the Labour Party's nomination for president.{{Cite news|title=Finlay wants Labour ticket for President |author=Clodagh Sheehy |newspaper=Evening Herald |date=9 September 2010 |url=http://www.herald.ie/national-news/finlay-wants-labour-ticket-for-president-2331460.html |access-date=10 September 2010}}
• Kathleen O'Meara, former Senator, also put her name forward for the party nomination.

For the first time in any presidential election, Fianna Fáil neither ran a candidate nor supported the nomination of a candidate. The decision was made at a meeting of the parliamentary party on 31 August 2011, and was in line with the recommendations of the six-person subcommittee formed by the party leader Micheál Martin to consider the matter.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0901/1224303294092.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901005030/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0901/1224303294092.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 September 2011|title=Fianna Fáil decides against fielding presidential candidate|date=1 September 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=1 September 2011|last=McGee |first=Harry}}

In June 2011 press reports had indicated that the party was unlikely to run a candidate both for financial reasons and also because it was unlikely that a Fianna Fáil nominee could be successful.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0614/breaking7.html|title=Kenny stays neutral on candidate|author=Harry McGee and Deaglán De Bréadún|date=14 June 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=14 June 2011|archive-date=25 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925061916/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0614/breaking7.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |author=Cool pools |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/fionnan-sheahan/fionnan-sheahan-ff-members-must-face-up-to-reality-of-partys-unpopularity-2860696.html |title=Fionnan Sheahan: FF members must face up to reality of party's unpopularity |publisher=Independent.ie |date=30 August 2011 |access-date=27 September 2011 |archive-date=27 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127125352/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/fionnan-sheahan/fionnan-sheahan-ff-members-must-face-up-to-reality-of-partys-unpopularity-2860696.html |url-status=live }} In early August 2011 there was press speculation that RTÉ broadcaster Gay Byrne might seek a nomination. On 6 August Micheál Martin rang Byrne at his holiday home to indicate that Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members would facilitate his nomination.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0810/1224302180521.html|title=Martin's phone call could prove key moment in presidential campaign|last=McGee|first=Harry|date=10 August 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=10 August 2011|archive-date=10 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810072649/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0810/1224302180521.html|url-status=live}} Byrne indicated that he had yet to make a decision on whether to put his name forward, but said that if he did so he would not run under the Fianna Fáil banner but as an independent, albeit with the assistance of the party's organisation. "Fianna Fáil are convinced no matter who they put up will be unelectable, so they're giving me their support" he told the Irish Independent.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/gaybo-ff-support-me-but-i-am-an-lsquoindependentrsquo-candidate-2844125.html|title=Gaybo: FF support me but I am an 'independent' candidate|author=Ken Sweeney, Fiach Kelly and Sam Smyth|date=10 August 2011|access-date=10 August 2011|work=Irish Independent|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923220117/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gaybo-ff-support-me-but-i-am-an-independent-candidate-26759945.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0810/byrneg.html|title=Gay Byrne claims Fianna Fáil support|date=10 August 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=10 August 2011|archive-date=14 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114153333/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0810/byrneg.html|url-status=live}} Éamon Ó Cuív, the party's deputy leader and member of the committee tasked with deciding on their strategy for the election stated that "I know of no approach to Gay Byrne... Nobody has discussed the issue with me — good, bad or indifferent." On 13 August Byrne informed Martin that he would not be going forward for nomination. He stated that the idea of running had been "foisted on him and he had not known anything about it and what it would involve".{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0813/byrneg.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103155337/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0813/byrneg.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2012|title=Gay Byrne says no to Presidential campaign|date=13 August 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=13 August 2011}} This followed unease among Fianna Fáil parliamentary party Oireachtas members, with a number unhappy that a candidate was being imposed by the leadership without discussion.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0813/breaking120.html|title=Gay Byrne has ruled himself out of presidential race|date=13 August 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=13 August 2011|first=Conor|last=Pope|archive-date=13 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813171651/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0813/breaking120.html|url-status=live}}

On 16 August 2011, the Irish Examiner reported that Micheál Martin had moved to pull the party out of the presidential race over the fallout from the approach to Gay Byrne, the cost involved and the slim chance of a candidate being elected.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20164373.html|title=Martin moves to pull party out of presidential race|last=McEnroe|first=Juno|date=16 August 2011|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=18 August 2011|archive-date=16 November 2011|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/10702/20111116160034/http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/martin-moves-to-pull-party-out-of-presidential-race-164373.html|url-status=live}} On 24 August, however, the party's deputy leader Éamon Ó Cuív told Raidió na Gaeltachta that he believed the party should put forward a candidate.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0824/president.html|title=Ó Cuív wants FF Presidential candidate|date=24 August 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=25 August 2011|archive-date=25 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925131414/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0824/president.html|url-status=live}}

Several members had expressed an interest in the party nomination:

• Brian Crowley, MEP, said in The Irish Times on 29 September 2008 that he would like to stand for president in 2011.{{Cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0929/1222420014885.html |title=Fianna Fáil MEP Crowley says he would like to run for president |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=29 September 2008 |access-date=29 September 2008 |archive-date=20 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520094306/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0929/1222420014885.html |url-status=live }} In July 2011 he wrote to members of the parliamentary party confirming that he wished to contest the election as the Fianna Fáil candidate.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/crowley-seeks-ff-nod-to-join-race-for-aras-2834773.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908095717/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/crowley-seeks-ff-nod-to-join-race-for-aras-2834773.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 September 2012 |title=Crowley seeks FF nod to join race for Aras |last=Sheehan |first=Fionnan |date=29 July 2011 |work=Irish Independent |access-date=29 July 2011 }} On 23 August Crowley indicated that he would not be seeking a nomination. He stated that the party leadership "has demonstrated that it does not want an internal party candidate to contest the upcoming presidential election. So, with much disappointment, I do not now feel free to seek the Fianna Fáil nomination."{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fianna-fail-in-turmoil-crowley-lashes-out-at-michael-martin-2856081.html|title=Fianna Fáil in turmoil: Crowley lashes out at Michael Martin|author=Sam Smyth, Fionnan Sheehan|date=24 August 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=24 August 2011|archive-date=3 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103042723/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fianna-fail-in-turmoil-crowley-lashes-out-at-michael-martin-2856081.html|url-status=live}}
• Éamon Ó Cuív, TD for Galway West and former minister, expressed an interest in the office once held by his grandfather, Éamon de Valera.
• Senator Mary White had announced her intention to stand for the Fianna Fáil nomination in 2008,

{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKL0758775720080207?symbol=SSE.L |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126152503/https://uk.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKL0758775720080207?symbol=SSE.L |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 November 2020 |title=Press Digest — Ireland |publisher=Reuters |date=7 February 2008 |access-date=10 February 2008 }} but in May 2011 said that she would not be seeking the nomination.{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0511/president.html |title=Pat Cox interested in running for Áras |work=RTÉ News |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=2 June 2011 |archive-date=15 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615202524/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0511/president.html |url-status=live }}

• Mary Hanafin also expressed an interest in seeking the nomination.{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0822/1224302806094.html |title=Fianna Fáil to discuss options for presidency |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=22 August 2011 |access-date=27 September 2011 |first=Harry |last=McGee |archive-date=22 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822194449/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0822/1224302806094.html |url-status=live }}

Following the decision by Fianna Fáil not to run their own candidate, there was speculation that some party members might be prepared to nominate an independent candidate. However, on 11 September the party's chief whip, Seán Ó Fearghail, made it clear that individual TDs and senators would not be permitted to sign the nomination papers of independent candidates. He said that if the party decided to support a candidacy it would be done collectively.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0911/aras.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103181320/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0911/aras.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2012|title=FF TDs cannot back individual Áras candidates|date=11 September 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=11 September 2011}}

A meeting of the parliamentary party was held on 15 September at which the issue of the presidential election was raised. Unexpectedly, one of the party's senators, Labhrás Ó Murchú, sought nominations to run as an independent candidate. This was widely seen as a challenge to the authority of Micheál Martin.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0916/1224304196082.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916133628/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0916/1224304196082.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 September 2011|title=Blow for Martin as Ó Murchú makes bid for Áras|author=Stephen Collins and Mary Minihan|date=16 September 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=16 September 2011}} The extended meeting broke up without agreement.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/fianna-fail-unable-to-decide-on-presidential-candidate-520762.html|title=Fianna Fáil unable to decide on presidential candidate|date=16 September 2011|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=16 September 2011|archive-date=27 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927015037/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/fianna-fail-unable-to-decide-on-presidential-candidate-520762.html|url-status=live}} The parliamentary party met again on 20 September. Senator Ó Murchú withdrew his request for a nomination and a motion was passed that the party's Oireachtas members would not nominate or endorse any candidate. The decision was seen as a severe blow to the attempts to secure a nomination by David Norris and Dana Rosemary Scallon who were expected to need signatures from individual Fianna Fáil members.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0921/breaking18.html|title=FF move a blow to Dana, Norris|author=Stephen Collins and Mary Minihan|date=21 September 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=21 September 2011|archive-date=21 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921223204/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0921/breaking18.html|url-status=live}}

At the party's Ard Comhairle meeting in Dublin in June 2011, the party's leader, Gerry Adams TD, ruled himself out as a candidate.{{cite news|url=http://www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=59699&locID=1.2&pagename=news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329043208/http://www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=59699&locID=1.2&pagename=news|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 March 2012|title=Adams rules out Presidential bid|date=11 June 2011|publisher=TV3|access-date=12 June 2011}} He had previously expressed a wish to be elected president in time for the centenary of the Easter Rising in 2016.

There had been reports in July that artist Robert Ballagh was "seriously considering a run for the presidency", and had been in talks with Sinn Féin, the Socialist Party and People Before Profit Alliance.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0723/1224301202797.html|title=Ballagh may join Áras race with SF support|last=Cullen|first=Paul|date=23 July 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=25 July 2011|archive-date=25 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725021641/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0723/1224301202797.html|url-status=live}} A Sinn Féin source confirmed there had been "very informal discussions",{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/leftwing-parties-back-artist-ballagh-for-aras-2829468.html|title=Left-wing parties back artist Ballagh for Aras|last=Sheehan|first=Fionnan|date=22 July 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=25 July 2011|archive-date=2 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102231939/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/leftwing-parties-back-artist-ballagh-for-aras-2829468.html|url-status=live}} However, on 25 July Ballagh ruled himself out.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/robert-ballagh-rules-out-running-for-president-after-talks-2830674.html|title=Robert Ballagh rules out running for President after talks|author=Marese McDonagh and Fionnan Sheahan|date=26 July 2011|access-date=26 July 2011|work=Irish Independent|archive-date=27 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827031723/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/robert-ballagh-rules-out-running-for-president-after-talks-2830674.html|url-status=live}}

In a keynote speech at the party's Ard Fheis on 10 September Gerry Adams said that he felt that Sinn Féin should support the nomination of "a candidate who is capable of winning the support of progressive and nationalist opinion… who will reflect the broad republican spirit of the Irish people at this time". He went on to state that the party's Ard Comhairle would consider the matter on 17 September.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/adams-hints-at-sf-bid-for-presidency-2873173.html|title=Adams hints at SF bid for presidency|last=Murray|first=Alan|date=11 September 2011|work=Sunday Independent|access-date=11 September 2011|archive-date=3 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103060601/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/adams-hints-at-sf-bid-for-presidency-2873173.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0910/sinnfein.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923151939/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0910/sinnfein.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 September 2011 |title=Sinn Féin may support presidential candidate |date=11 September 2011 |publisher=RTÉ News |access-date=11 September 2011 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0912/1224303945053.html|title=Adams in favour of running candidate for presidency|last=Moriarty|first=Gerry|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=12 September 2011|date=12 September 2011|archive-date=12 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912151238/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0912/1224303945053.html|url-status=live}}

On 16 September it was revealed that the party would seek to have Martin McGuinness, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, nominated to contest the election.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0916/president.html|title=Martin McGuinness to be SF candidate for Áras|date=16 September 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=16 September 2011|archive-date=23 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923155152/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0916/president.html|url-status=live}} With 14 TDs and three senators, Sinn Féin were three short of the required twenty Oireachtas members to nominate a candidate for the presidency. Soon after the nomination was announced, four Independent TDs agreed to nominate McGuinness,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0917/breaking6.html|title=Four independents back McGuinness's presidential race|author=Stephen Collins and Gerry Moriarty|date=17 September 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=18 September 2011|archive-date=17 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917235544/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0917/breaking6.html|url-status=live}} securing his nomination: Michael Healy-Rae and Tom Fleming (both representing Kerry South), Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (Roscommon–South Leitrim) and Finian McGrath (Dublin North-Central). Both 'Ming' Flanagan and McGrath had previously pledged their support to Norris.

In order to secure a nomination, a number of non-party politicians sought the support of either 20 members of the Oireachtas or four city or county councils.

• David Norris, a Senator since 1987 and long time civil rights campaigner, credited with helping overthrow Ireland's laws criminalising homosexuality, launched his campaign in January 2011.

{{Cite news|url=http://www.tribune.ie/news/home-news/article/2010/feb/21/norris-admits-interest-in-running-for-presidency/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227214921/http://www.tribune.ie/news/home-news/article/2010/feb/21/norris-admits-interest-in-running-for-presidency/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 February 2010 |title=Norris admits interest in running for presidency |work=The Sunday Tribune |date=21 February 2010 }}{{cite web |url=http://norrisforpresident.ie/ |title=David Norris for President |publisher=Norrisforpresident.ie |access-date=28 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101112053/http://norrisforpresident.ie/ |archive-date=1 January 2011}} It had initially been anticipated that he might be nominated by the Labour Party.{{Cite news |title=Race to succeed McAleese will be no stroll in the park |author=Fionan Sheahan |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=10 September 2010 |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/fionnan-sheahan/fionnan-sheahan-race-to-succeed-mcaleese-will-be-no-stroll-in-the-park-2332770.html |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=11 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911174921/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/fionnan-sheahan/fionnan-sheahan-race-to-succeed-mcaleese-will-be-no-stroll-in-the-park-2332770.html |url-status=live }} A Red C poll commissioned by Paddy Power in January 2011 showed that Norris was by far the most popular choice for president with more than double the support of any of the other potential candidates.{{cite news|author=Paul Galvin |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-tops-president-poll-2490541.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802172025/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-tops-president-poll-2490541.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 August 2012 |title=Norris tops President poll |publisher=Independent.ie |date=10 January 2011 |access-date=28 January 2011 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0110/norrisd.html |title=David Norris ahead in Red C presidential poll |publisher=RTÉ.ie |date=10 January 2011 |access-date=28 January 2011 |archive-date=12 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112203218/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0110/norrisd.html |url-status=live }} On 14 March 2011 Norris formally launched his campaign to secure a nomination, stating that he had written to the chairpersons of each of the 34 county and city councils and that he would also be individually contacting the independent TDs elected to the 31st Dail.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0314/norrisd.html|title=David Norris launches presidential campaign|date=14 March 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=14 March 2011|archive-date=14 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314162304/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0314/norrisd.html|url-status=live}} On 21 July Norris revealed that he had secured the support of 13 Oireachtas members for his candidacy, and was confident of securing 20.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0721/president.html|title=Norris has backing of 13 Oireachtas members|date=21 July 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-date=14 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114172857/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0721/president.html|url-status=live}} On 22 July two more senators announced they would back him.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0722/norris.html|title=David Norris gets backing from two Senators|date=22 July 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=22 July 2011}}{{dead link|date=February 2017}} However, on 2 August, Norris publicly announced at a press conference that he was withdrawing from the presidential race. This followed the decision of three of his backers, the TDs John Halligan, Finian McGrath and Thomas Pringle to withdraw their support following revelations that Norris had written a letter to a court asking clemency for his former partner Ezra Nawi, who was then on trial in Israel.{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/ezra-nawi-rape-conviction-went-unreported-in-israel-192081-Aug2011/|title=Ezra Nawi rape conviction went unreported in Israel: report, The story which has ended the presidential hopes of David Norris has only come to light 14 years later|work=The Journal|date=3 August 2011|access-date=3 August 2011|archive-date=18 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018024559/http://www.thejournal.ie/ezra-nawi-rape-conviction-went-unreported-in-israel-192081-Aug2011/|url-status=live}} This information was publicised on 24 July by John Connolly, a Zionist blogger in London, who claimed he had received a tip-off from an associate he admitted may have been a supporter of Norris's campaign rival and eventual election winner Michael D. Higgins.{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/israel-and-labour-deny-plot-against-norris-as-backers-consider-support-190646-Aug2011/|title=Israel and Labour deny plot against Norris as backers consider support: More details emerge about the scandal that has rocked the independent Senator's campaign|work=The Journal|date=1 August 2011|access-date=1 August 2011|archive-date=18 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018025524/http://www.thejournal.ie/israel-and-labour-deny-plot-against-norris-as-backers-consider-support-190646-Aug2011/|url-status=live}} Norris withdrew his candidacy on 2 August due to the controversy.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0802/breaking2.html|title=Norris withdraws from presidential election race|date=2 August 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=5 August 2011|archive-date=4 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804110553/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0802/breaking2.html|url-status=live}} Nawi, a human rights campaigner and pacifist who has been jailed for several short spells for his activism, suggested at the time that his deeds were being "recycled" against him and those associated with him.{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/ezra-nawi-norris-was-victim-of-dirty-tricks-campaign-193920-Aug2011/|title=Ezra Nawi: Norris was victim of dirty tricks campaign|work=The Journal|date=5 August 2011|access-date=5 August 2011|archive-date=15 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015154212/http://www.thejournal.ie/ezra-nawi-norris-was-victim-of-dirty-tricks-campaign-193920-Aug2011/|url-status=live}} However, by 15 September, media reports indicated Norris was seeking to re-enter the election, and was meeting independent TDs looking for their support. By 25 September, 18 members of the Oireachtas had signed Norris's nomination papers.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0925/president.html|title=Shane Ross To Support Norris Nomination|date=25 September 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=25 September 2011|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927154630/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0925/president.html|url-status=live}} Then Mattie McGrath TD indicated that he would not be signing Norris's nomination papers following a meeting with his supporters.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0925/president.html|title=McGrath won't support Norris nomination bid|date=25 September 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=25 September 2011|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927154630/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0925/president.html|url-status=live}} This effectively ended the attempt to gain nomination through the Oireachtas,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/norris-bid-rests-on-council-votes-as-mcgrath-says-no-168736.html|title=Norris bid rests on council votes as McGrath says 'no'|last=McEnroe|first=Juno|date=26 September 2011|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=26 September 2011|archive-date=27 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927015440/http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/norris-bid-rests-on-council-votes-as-mcgrath-says-no-168736.html|url-status=live}} although Michael Lowry TD stated he would give the final required nomination if Norris acquired 19 nominations.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/ross-agrees-to-sign-norris-nomination-papers-521931.html|title=Ross agrees to sign Norris nomination papers|date=25 September 2011|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=25 September 2011|archive-date=27 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927015417/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/ross-agrees-to-sign-norris-nomination-papers-521931.html|url-status=live}}

• Niall O'Dowd, New York based journalist and publisher. Early in June 2011, he indicated he had been approached by "a cross-party group of Irish and Irish-Americans" urging him to put his name forward for the contest. O'Dowd travelled to Ireland later in the month to meet Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and independent TDs and senators in an attempt to gain a nomination.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0620/breaking80.html|title=O'Dowd to seek FF, SF nominations|date=20 June 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=20 June 2011|archive-date=25 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925061941/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0620/breaking80.html|url-status=live}} O'Dowd withdrew from seeking a nomination on 30 June, due to the difficulty of organising a campaign and "because he stopped believing he could win".{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0701/president.html|title=Niall O'Dowd pulls out of Presidential race|date=1 July 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=1 July 2011|archive-date=3 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703062215/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0701/president.html|url-status=live}}
• The members of the Technical Group of independents in Dáil Éireann considered nominating a candidate. Finian McGrath, the chair of the group, circulated a list of 10 possible candidates to the members during the summer of 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20165479.html|title=Independents unlikely to nominate Áras candidate|last=McEnroe|first=Juno|date=26 August 2011|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=11 September 2011|archive-date=16 November 2011|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/10702/20111116104035/http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/politics/independents-unlikely-to-nominate-aras-candidate-165479.html|url-status=live}} Although meetings were held with Dana Rosemary Scallon, Mary Davis and Trócaire chief executive Justin Kilcullen no agreement was reached.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0910/1224303848872.html|title=TDs give up attempts to agree Áras contender|last=Cullen|first=Paul|date=10 September 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=11 September 2011|archive-date=10 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910190200/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0910/1224303848872.html|url-status=live}} Kilcullen withdrew from seeking a nomination on 14 September.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0915/president.html|title=Norris seeks Áras support from Independents|date=15 September 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=15 September 2011|archive-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924164830/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0915/president.html|url-status=live}}

A number of independent politicians sought support from local authorities, with four candidates nominated by the resolutions of four or more councils:

• Mary Davis announced on 26 May 2011 that she would be seeking a nomination.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0526/president.html|title=Mary Davis announces bid for presidency|date=26 May 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=26 May 2011|archive-date=28 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528015903/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0526/president.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.herald.ie/opinion/terry-prone-with-mary-on-for-the-aras-the-contest-really-hots-up-2658423.html |title=With Mary on for the Aras the contest really hots up |work=Evening Herald |author=Terry Prone |date=26 May 2011 |access-date=3 June 2011 |archive-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530105725/http://www.herald.ie/opinion/terry-prone-with-mary-on-for-the-aras-the-contest-really-hots-up-2658423.html |url-status=live }} She had originally stated in August 2010 that she would consider standing for the presidency if approached by a political party.{{Cite news|title=Special Olympics guru 'would consider' Áras run |author=Niamh Connoly |newspaper=Sunday Business Post |date=15 August 2010 |url=http://www.sbpost.ie/news/ireland/special-olympics-guru-would-consider-aras-run-51114.html |access-date=10 September 2010}}{{dead link|date=February 2017}} She subsequently decided to run as an independent, seeking nominations from four local authorities.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0526/breaking4.html|title=Special Olympics chief set for Áras bid|date=26 May 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=26 May 2011|first=Mary|last=Minihan|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024043910/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0526/breaking4.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/special-olympics-chief-to-decide-on-aras-run-in-days-2654245.html|title=Special Olympics chief to decide on Aras run in days|last=Reilly|first=Jerome|date=22 May 2011|work=Sunday Independent|access-date=22 May 2011|archive-date=25 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525062438/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/special-olympics-chief-to-decide-on-aras-run-in-days-2654245.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0618/1224299153871.html|title=Davis confident of securing support for presidential run|last=Tierney|first=Ciarán|date=18 June 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=21 June 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024043931/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0618/1224299153871.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0620/president.html|title=Mary Davis addresses council in Áras bid|date=20 June 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=20 June 2011|archive-date=22 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622053559/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0620/president.html|url-status=live}}
• Seán Gallagher.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0513/1224296840016.html|title=Norris says bid asks questions of FG|last=Minihan|first=Mary|date=13 May 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=26 May 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024043941/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0513/1224296840016.html|url-status=live}} In May 2011, The Sunday Business Post reported that he was likely to seek a nomination.{{cite news|url=http://www.sbpost.ie/news/ireland/gallagher-plans-to-swap-den-for-run-at-the-park-56055.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506144514/http://www.sbpost.ie/news/ireland/gallagher-plans-to-swap-den-for-run-at-the-park-56055.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= 6 May 2011 |title=Gallagher plans to swap Den for run at the Park |last=Connolly |first=Niamh |date=1 May 2011 |work=Sunday Business Post |access-date=3 May 2011 }} The Irish Times subsequently reported that in addition to seeking the support of independents, he was approaching Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members in order to run as an independent candidate, but with a "semi-detached" relationship with the party.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0507/1224296378500.html|title='Dragon' seeks FF support for Park bid|last=McGee|first=Harry|date=7 May 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=8 May 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024044003/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0507/1224296378500.html|url-status=live}} On 13 June 2011, he began the process of looking for nominations from local authorities.
• David Norris. Norris approached a number of councils in June and July 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-hits-the-road-for-his-super-monday-2673612.html|title=Norris hits the road for his 'Super Monday'|last=Kelly|first=Fiach|date=14 June 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=14 June 2011|archive-date=17 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617043249/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-hits-the-road-for-his-super-monday-2673612.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.kclr96fm.com/news?id=30758|title=David Norris to address Kilkenny county council|date=20 June 2011|publisher=KCLR 96FM|access-date=20 June 2011|archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721074831/http://www.kclr96fm.com/news?id=30758|url-status=live}} On 2 August Norris announced he was withdrawing from the election. In September he reversed the decision, and received his first local authority nomination on 20 September.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/fingal-county-council-backs-norris-521303.html|title=Fingal County Council backs Norris|date=20 September 2011|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=21 September 2011|archive-date=26 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926092019/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/fingal-county-council-backs-norris-521303.html|url-status=live}}
• Dana Rosemary Scallon announced on 19 September that she would be seeking a presidential nomination. She initially attempted to gain the signatures of 20 Oireachtas members.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0919/president.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923155344/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0919/president.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 September 2011 |title=Dana seeking nomination for Áras election |date=19 September 2011 |publisher=RTÉ News |access-date=26 September 2011 }} However, by 21 September, she only secured the support of one TD.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0921/1224304483539.html|title=Dana and Norris unlikely to get enough backers in race|last=Collins|first=Stephen|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=21 September 2011|access-date=26 September 2011|archive-date=22 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110922203802/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0921/1224304483539.html|url-status=live}} She instead began the process of seeking support from county and city councils.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0924/1224304676924.html|title=Dana may get backing of two more councils|author=Stephen Collins and Marie O'Halloran|date=24 September 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=26 September 2011|archive-date=26 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926010654/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0924/1224304676924.html|url-status=live}}

A number of councils scheduled special meetings to consider presidential nominations prior to the deadline of midday on 28 September 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0924/president.html|title=Seven candidates likely for Áras race|date=24 September 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=24 September 2011|archive-date=25 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925065119/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0924/president.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0924/1224304676924.html|title=Dana may get backing of two more councils|author=Stephen Collins and Marie O'Halloran|date=24 September 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=24 September 2011|archive-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924042411/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0924/1224304676924.html|url-status=live}}

Seven candidates contested the presidential election, having been selected by their parties or having received sufficient council nominations. This was the largest number of candidates to contest an Irish presidential election.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0928/president.html|title=Presidential candidates in first debate|date=28 September 2011|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=29 September 2011|archive-date=30 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930115132/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0928/president.html|url-status=live}}

• Mary Davis, social entrepreneur, disability rights campaigner and best known as organiser of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland, was nominated by local councils.
• Seán Gallagher, entrepreneur, panellist on the Dragons' Den television programme and former member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive, was nominated by local councils.
• Michael D. Higgins, former Government Minister and TD was selected by the Labour Party.
• Martin McGuinness, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland was selected by Sinn Féin, and received enough support from independent TDs to be nominated.McGuinness was nominated by Sinn Féin and a number of independent Oireachtas members. {{cite web|url=http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/21534 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925102854/http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/21534 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 September 2011 |title=Sinn Féin Officer Board nominate Martin McGuinness for office of Uachtarán na hÉireann |publisher=Sinn Féin |access-date=18 September 2011 }}
• Gay Mitchell, MEP and former TD was selected by Fine Gael.
• David Norris, Senator, scholar and civil rights campaigner, was nominated by local councils.
• Dana Rosemary Scallon, former MEP, was nominated by local councils.{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/dana-is-officially-a-presidential-candidate-following-offaly-nomination-238169-Sep2011/|title=Dana is officially a presidential candidate following Offaly nomination|date=19 September 2011|publisher=TheJournal.ie|access-date=27 September 2011|archive-date=28 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928153215/http://www.thejournal.ie/dana-is-officially-a-presidential-candidate-following-offaly-nomination-238169-Sep2011/|url-status=live}}

The "motley crew" of candidates (The Washington Times) led to much attention on the campaign and election outcome from the international media.[http://www.thejournal.ie/reality-tv-star-v-ex-ira-warlord-the-international-view-on-aras11-264860-Oct2011/ "Reality-TV star V ex-IRA warlord: the international view on #Aras11"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029212928/http://www.thejournal.ie/reality-tv-star-v-ex-ira-warlord-the-international-view-on-aras11-264860-Oct2011/ |date=29 October 2011 }}. thejournal.ie. 27 October 2011. The Guardian described it as "the most fractious presidential election campaign since the republic was founded".McDonald, Henry. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/27/irish-presidential-elections-polls?newsfeed=true "Ireland goes to polls after bitter presidential campaign"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308083522/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/27/irish-presidential-elections-polls?newsfeed=true |date=8 March 2016 }}. The Guardian. 27 October 2011.

Phil Hogan of Fine Gael, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, attacked Martin McGuinness claiming that US multinational companies would be "appalled" if Martin McGuinness were elected and foreign direct investment would drop.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/phil-hogan-warns-no-terrorist-in-the-aras-2893648.html|title=Phil Hogan warns: No terrorist in the Aras|work=Sunday Independent|date=2 October 2011|access-date=4 October 2011|first1=John|last1=Drennan|first2=Jody|last2=Corcoran|archive-date=4 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004130032/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/phil-hogan-warns-no-terrorist-in-the-aras-2893648.html|url-status=live}} This was followed by a tweet made by Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe which claimed that McGuinness profited from the Northern Bank robbery.{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/governments-chief-whip-kehoe-confirms-mcguinness-attack-was-me-244235-Oct2011/|title=Government's chief whip Kehoe confirms: McGuinness attack was me|work=TheJournal.ie|date=3 October 2011|access-date=4 October 2011|archive-date=5 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005023913/http://www.thejournal.ie/governments-chief-whip-kehoe-confirms-mcguinness-attack-was-me-244235-Oct2011/|url-status=live}} This was in response to a pledge made by McGuinness to only take the average industrial wage, if elected president. McGuinness dismissed both charges as "black propaganda".{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1002/president.html/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002224550/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1002/president.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= 2 October 2011 |title=McGuinness rails against FG 'black propaganda' |work=RTÉ News |date=3 October 2011 |access-date=4 October 2011 }} It was reported in The Irish Times that Fine Gael's "strategy of levelling strongly worded accusations at Mr McGuinness was part of a drive to motivate party voters to come out in support of Mr Mitchell in the October 27th election".{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/1003/1224305146023.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003201249/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/1003/1224305146023.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 October 2011|title=McGuinness says FG remarks about him are 'outrageous'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=3 October 2011|access-date=4 October 2011|first=Mary|last=Minihan}}

At her formal campaign launch on 4 October, Independent Mary Davis accused Fine Gael of using polling companies to research attacks on her. She also pledged she would ask the Government to bring the office of President under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act and that she would publish an annual expenditure report for the Áras. David Norris also made a pledge to publish expenses.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1004/president.html|title=Davis accuses Fine Gael of negative tactics|work=RTÉ News|date=4 October 2011|access-date=4 October 2011|archive-date=4 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004224858/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1004/president.html|url-status=live}} Mrs. Davis eventually accepted "collective responsibility" for mortgage lending decisions made after she was appointed to the board of the ICS building society.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1017/president.html|title=Mary Davis accepts 'collective responsibility'|work=RTÉ News|date=17 October 2011|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-date=18 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018044728/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1017/president.html|url-status=live}}

During the campaign, several relatives of people killed during The Troubles objected to the prospect of a former IRA member, McGuinness, becoming president.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1012/1224305641803.html|title=Relatives put McGuinness's past under renewed scrutiny|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=12 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=12 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012221809/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1012/1224305641803.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/oct/12/ira-relative-martin-mcguinness-blood?newsfeed=true|title=IRA victim's brother says Martin McGuinness has blood on his hands|work=The Guardian|date=12 October 2011|location=London|first=Henry|last=McDonald|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-date=12 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312214540/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/oct/12/ira-relative-martin-mcguinness-blood?newsfeed=true|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/mar/15/northernireland.northernireland?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|title=McGuinness warns McCartney sisters|work=The Guardian|location=London|first1=David|last1=Teather|first2=Angelique|last2=Chrisafis|date=15 March 2005|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308213333/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/mar/15/northernireland.northernireland?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8815887/Dont-mention-the-IRA-to-Martin-McGuinness.html|title=Don't mention the IRA to Martin McGuinness|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 October 2011|location=London|first=Andrew|last=Gilligan|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=17 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117040835/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8815887/Dont-mention-the-IRA-to-Martin-McGuinness.html|url-status=live}} On 10 October, McGuinness was confronted in Athlone by the son of a member of the Irish Army killed by the IRA after Don Tidey's kidnap in Ballinamore in 1983.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1010/president.html|title=McGuinness confronted by dead soldier's son|work=RTÉ News|date=10 October 2011|access-date=10 October 2011|archive-date=11 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011002429/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1010/president.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/10/world/europe/ireland-troubles-deaths/?|title=Reminders of Irish 'troubles' rise to surface|work=CNN|date=11 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305094417/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/10/world/europe/ireland-troubles-deaths/|url-status=live}} In a RTÉ interview that aired on 20 October, Bryan Dobson noted a 1985 Hot Press interview in which McGuinness indicated that he considered the IRA volunteers at Ballinamore to be "defending themselves against armed Gardaí and soldiers." When Dobson then asked if it was "fair to say that on this occasion you were standing over the killing of members of the Gardaí and Defence Forces?" McGuinness insisted that he has "never done that."[http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1117954 Six One News Thursday, 20 October 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001075940/http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1117954 |date=1 October 2012 }} at 27 minutes, RTÉ News, 20 October 2011 The family of Garda Detective Frank Hand, killed in 1984, accused McGuinness of misleading younger generations with a "glossy campaign".{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mcguinness-is-misleading-the-young-says-dead-gardas-sister-2904536.html|title=McGuinness is misleading the young, says dead garda's sister|work=Irish Independent|date=13 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=15 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015184001/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mcguinness-is-misleading-the-young-says-dead-gardas-sister-2904536.html|url-status=live}}Niall O'Connor. [https://archive.today/20120804062244/http://www.herald.ie/news/mcguinness-has-blood-of-tragic-garda-on-his-hands-2903088.html McGuinness 'has blood of tragic garda on his hands'] herald.ie 12 October 2011. The husband of a mother killed by the IRA in 1981 said he doubted McGuinness' claims of ignorance about the identities of IRA killers, saying "If anybody knows who did it, he does. If he is full of apologies he has never apologised to me".{{cite news|url=http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/news/local/campaign_is_a_circus_says_murder_victim_s_husband_1_3144944|title=Campaign is a 'circus'- says murder victim's husband|work=Londonderry Sentinel|date=13 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=30 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330130025/http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/news/local/campaign_is_a_circus_says_murder_victim_s_husband_1_3144944|url-status=live}}

In Northern Ireland, unionists took exception to the appearance of McGuinness election posters there given that Northern Ireland citizens were not eligible to vote in this election.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/unionist_outrage_over_mcguinness_s_posters_1_3144584|title=Unionist outrage over McGuinness's posters|work=The News Letter|date=13 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=15 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015043614/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/unionist_outrage_over_mcguinness_s_posters_1_3144584|url-status=live}} Sinn Féin has regularly called for voting rights in the presidential election to be extended to Irish citizens in Northern Ireland.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0811/1224302232020.html|title=Sinn Féin urges presidential voting rights for North|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=11 August 2011|first=Marie|last=O'Halloran|access-date=14 October 2011|archive-date=12 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812234114/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0811/1224302232020.html|url-status=live}}

Michael D. Higgins was confronted by former Tara mines workers while canvassing in Meath. The workers were upset about their pensions being cut.

The first broadcast debate of the campaign took place on 28 September 2011, the day that nominations closed, on RTÉ Radio 1's News at One programme. This was followed by a series of televised one-on-one interviews with the candidates on RTÉ One's evening Prime Time programme on the same day.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0928/news1pm.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001010918/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0928/news1pm.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= 1 October 2011 |title=News at One |work=RTÉ News |date=28 September 2011 |access-date=29 September 2011 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/last-nights-tv-primetime-presential-debate-2891656.html|title=Last night's TV: Primetime presential debate|last=Fallon|first=Johnny|date=29 September 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=29 September 2011|archive-date=16 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016012422/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/last-nights-tv-primetime-presential-debate-2891656.html|url-status=live}} A second debate was held on The Late Late Show on 30 September; David Norris was not interviewed alone as the other six candidates were as he had been interviewed the previous week on the programme, but was included in the later panel debate.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0930/president_tracker.html|title=As It Happened — Late Late Show debate|work=RTÉ News|date=1 October 2011|access-date=1 October 2011|archive-date=25 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225153725/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0930/306815-president_tracker/|url-status=live}}

On 4 October, TV3 broadcast Vincent Browne's Big Presidential Debate.{{cite news|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/brownes-the-big-winner-in-presidential-debate-2896552.html|title=Browne's the big winner in presidential debate|work=Evening Herald|date=5 October 2011|access-date=5 October 2011|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923220052/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/entertainment/tv-radio/brownes-the-big-winner-in-presidential-debate-27990959.html|url-status=live}} Gay Mitchell challenged Martin McGuinness on the "fairytale" that he left the IRA in 1974, asking him directly: "If you (McGuinness) say you left the IRA in 1974 and persist in saying that when you didn’t; if you say you are living on the average industrial wage when you are drawing down a couple of hundred grand – how can people have confidence in your word?"{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/candidates-face-off-in-tv3-debate-523141.html|title=Candidates face off in TV3 debate|work=Irish Examiner|date=4 October 2011|access-date=4 October 2011|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210138/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/candidates-face-off-in-tv3-debate-523141.html|url-status=live}} Moderator Vincent Browne later challenged Martin McGuinness' claims that he left the Provisional Irish Republican Army in 1974, producing eight books with alleged evidence claiming otherwise.Niall O'Connor. [https://archive.today/20120801212537/http://www.herald.ie/news/browne-reveals-mcguinness-still-in-the-ira-three-years-ago-2896590.html Browne reveals McGuinness still in the IRA three years ago] herald.ie 5 October 2011.Eithne Tynan. [http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/last-nights-tv-presidential-debate-tv3-2896315.html Last night's TV: Presidential Debate TV3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007104102/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/last-nights-tv-presidential-debate-tv3-2896315.html |date=7 October 2011 }} Irish Independent 5 October 2011. McGuinness referenced this moment when he said in a later debate on the radio that people would blame him for the 1916 Rising if they could find a way to implicate him.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1011/breaking44.html|title=Candidates hold radio debate|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=11 October 2011|access-date=11 October 2011|first=Ronan|last=Mcgreevy|archive-date=12 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012125912/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1011/breaking44.html|url-status=live}} Fine Gael candidate Gay Mitchell suffered heavily for his controversial views on suicide and on Ireland joining the Commonwealth. Labour candidate Michael D. Higgins was pursued by his past links to the unpopular Fianna Fáil and his admission that he had smoked cannabis.

During a debate on Today FM Gay Mitchell controversially spoke of Ireland rejoining the Commonwealth, with some other candidates disagreeing with him.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1011/president.html|title=Áras candidates take part in Today FM debate|work=RTÉ News|date=13 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=13 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013151550/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1011/president.html|url-status=live}} Mitchell suffered from poor voter recognition,{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/voters-know-mitchell-very-well-after-a-quick-google-search-2900054.html|title=Voters know Mitchell very well – after a quick Google search|work=Irish Independent|date=8 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=9 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009023533/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/voters-know-mitchell-very-well-after-a-quick-google-search-2900054.html|url-status=live}} and was criticised over remarks on suicide he made on live radio.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1003/president.html|title=Mitchell remarks on suicide 'unfortunate'|work=RTÉ News|date=4 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=3 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003230313/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1003/president.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Fine-Gael-candidate-threatens-to-throw-himself-into-the-Liffey-131042158.html|title=Gay Mitchell slammed over throwaway suicide remark|work=IrishCentral.com|date=4 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=26 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026091529/http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Fine-Gael-candidate-threatens-to-throw-himself-into-the-Liffey-131042158.html|url-status=live}}

On 12 October, Miriam O'Callaghan moderated a debate on RTÉ's Prime Time with the seven candidates.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1012/president_primetime.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013033527/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1012/president_primetime.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 October 2011 |title=Miriam O'Callaghan ready for 'challenge' |work=RTÉ News |date=12 October 2011 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1012/breaking62.html|title=Candidates in presidency debate|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=12 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=13 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013155103/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1012/breaking62.html|url-status=live}} The debate, lasting 90 minutes, took place on a Wednesday night, though Prime Time usually aired on a Tuesday and Thursday, and was announced a week in advance.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/prime-time-to-stage-midrace-debate-2896211.html|title='Prime Time' to stage mid-race debate|work=Irish Independent|date=5 October 2011|access-date=14 October 2011|archive-date=13 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013051011/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/prime-time-to-stage-midrace-debate-2896211.html|url-status=live}} Dana Rosemary Scallon read out a prepared statement towards the end of the debate, announcing that a "malicious" and "false" accusation has been made against her and her family in the United States and, while refusing to divulge any details, she said she would leave "no stone unturned" in her mission to track down the person or organisation responsible.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1012/president_tracker.html|title=Live — Prime Time Debate: 2247|work=RTÉ News|date=12 October 2011|access-date=12 October 2011|archive-date=13 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013145702/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1012/president_tracker.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/ojcweykfcwql/|title=Dana criticises "vile and false" accusation against member of her family|work=Irish Examiner|date=12 October 2011|access-date=12 October 2011|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017023838/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/ojcweykfcwql/|url-status=live}} Scallon was visibly upset and was comforted by other candidates.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15286799|title=Presidential hopeful Dana comforted after 'vile' claim|work=BBC News|date=13 October 2011|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=2 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102192727/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15286799|url-status=live}} She met with her lawyers the next day.{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/dana-meeting-with-legal-team-over-unknown-allegations-253121-Oct2011/|title=Dana meeting with legal team over unknown allegations|work=The Journal|date=13 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=14 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014062502/http://www.thejournal.ie/dana-meeting-with-legal-team-over-unknown-allegations-253121-Oct2011/|url-status=live}} David Norris expressed sorrow for Scallon and comforted her, also expressing frustration at the general tone of the election campaign and saying the media had libelled him in some of its reports.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1013/president.html|title=David Norris 'sorry' for Dana after statement|work=RTÉ News|date=13 October 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=14 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014031917/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1013/president.html|url-status=live}} Scallon told TV3 News on 14 October that a freelance journalist had told her the allegations would appear through the media.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15314163|title=Dana rejects allegations made against relative|work=BBC News|date=14 October 2011|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=2 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102192747/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15314163|url-status=live}} Miriam O'Callaghan's treatment of Martin McGuinness resulted in more than 100 complaints to RTÉ.[https://web.archive.org/web/20111014122035/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/1014/1224305758229.html "RTÉ treatment of McGuinness generates over 100 complaints"]. Irish Times. 14 October 2011. O'Callaghan's RTÉ colleague Pat Kenny said he watched on "with shock and horror because I don't think I've ever seen a politician ever interviewed on radio before and more or less called a murderer. That was kind of shocking."{{cite news|first=Melanie |last=Finn |url=http://www.herald.ie/news/i-back-miriam-but-wont-take-same-line-vows-kenny-2906590.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804140025/http://www.herald.ie/news/i-back-miriam-but-wont-take-same-line-vows-kenny-2906590.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 August 2012 |title=I back Miriam but won't take same line, vows Kenny |newspaper=Evening Herald |publisher=Independent News & Media |date=14 October 2011 |access-date=14 October 2011 }} McGuinness himself also expressed disappointment with O'Callaghan.{{cite news|first=Gavan|last=Reilly|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/mcguinness-admits-frustration-at-unfair-prime-time-treatment-255045-Oct2011/|title=McGuinness admits frustration at "unfair" Prime Time treatment|work=The Journal|date=15 October 2011|access-date=15 October 2011|archive-date=17 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017034009/http://www.thejournal.ie/mcguinness-admits-frustration-at-unfair-prime-time-treatment-255045-Oct2011/|url-status=live}}

Gallagher's campaign suffered a severe setback on 24 October when, in the last televised debate before the election, he admitted collecting a €5,000 cheque from someone he described as a "convicted criminal and fuel smuggler", for a Fianna Fáil fundraiser event which gave access to the then Taoiseach, Brian Cowen after being questioned on the matter by Martin McGuinness.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1025/breaking7.html|title=Businessman says Gallagher collected €5,000 cheque|date=25 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=25 October 2011|archive-date=25 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025123458/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1025/breaking7.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1025/president.html|title=Hugh Morgan says he handed cheque to Gallagher|date=25 October 2011|work=RTÉ|access-date=25 October 2011|archive-date=25 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025001951/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1025/president.html|url-status=live}} Gallagher had been the frontrunner in an opinion poll at this point.McDonald, Henry. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/24/sean-gallagher-irish-presidential-debate?newsfeed=true "Seán Gallagher is frontrunner in Irish presidential race before final TV debate"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309195712/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/24/sean-gallagher-irish-presidential-debate?newsfeed=true |date=9 March 2016 }}. The Guardian. 24 October 2011. The donation was later revealed to be from businessman Hugh Morgan. Gallagher subsequently denied collecting a cheque from Morgan, but refused to answer questions on an illegal director's loan of €82,829, which had also been raised in the 24 October televised debate.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1026/breaking3.html|title=Gallagher tries to put Áras campaign back on course|date=25 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=25 October 2011|archive-date=26 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026103155/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1026/breaking3.html|url-status=live}} After this performance Gallagher's campaign was compared to Devon Loch's fall at the winning post in the 1956 Grand National.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15481482 "Surprises still possible in Irish presidential election"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124062553/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15481482 |date=24 November 2018 }}. BBC News. 27 October 2011. He was reported to have been left "shell-shocked" afterwards.McKittrick, David. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/storm-envelops-favourite-in-irish-presidential-race-2376411.html "Storm envelops favourite in Irish presidential race: Row over €5,000 Fianna Fail donation may dash businessman's chances of victory in today's vote"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828213312/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/storm-envelops-favourite-in-irish-presidential-race-2376411.html |date=28 August 2018 }}. The Independent. 27 October 2011. Gallagher cancelled his planned meet-the-people visits the following day so that he could tour broadcasters and attempt to explain his behaviour.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8850875/Dirty-tricks-row-dominates-Irish-presidential-race-as-voters-head-to-polls.html "'Dirty tricks' row dominates Irish presidential race as voters head to polls"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828204808/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8850875/Dirty-tricks-row-dominates-Irish-presidential-race-as-voters-head-to-polls.html |date=28 August 2018 }}. The Daily Telegraph. 27 October 2011. On 7 March 2012, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) upheld a complaint against RTÉ relating to the broadcasting of the tweet that derailed Gallagher's presidential campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0307/gallaghers.html|title=BAI upholds complaint against Frontline tweet|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=7 March 2012|access-date=7 March 2012|archive-date=8 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308124305/http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0307/gallaghers.html|url-status=live}}

Eventual winner Michael D. Higgins was pursued by his past links to the Fianna Fáil party, and admitted on 13 October that he had been elected chairman of the UCG Fianna Fáil university cumann in 1966.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/higgins-admits-he-smoked-dope-and-yes-he-inhaled-2904526.html|title=Higgins admits he smoked dope – and yes, he inhaled|work=Irish Independent|date=13 October 2011|first=Mark|last=O'Regan|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=15 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115073205/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/higgins-admits-he-smoked-dope-and-yes-he-inhaled-2904526.html|url-status=live}} While at university in the United States he had, he admitted, smoked marijuana. However, media reports said he was "spared the intense grilling Miriam O'Callaghan meted out to some of the others" during the Prime Time debate.{{cite news|url=http://www.herald.ie/news/the-big-debate-verdict-2904727.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909002657/http://www.herald.ie/news/the-big-debate-verdict-2904727.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 September 2012 |title=The big debate verdict |work=Evening Herald |date=13 October 2011 }}

In February 2012 the Standards in Public Office Commission published the candidates' returns for campaign donations and election expenses.{{cite web|url=http://www.sipo.gov.ie/en/Reports/Elections/140212-ReporttoCeannComhairleRePresidentialElectionof27October2011/Name,15140,en.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219133652/http://www.sipo.gov.ie/en/Reports/Elections/140212-ReporttoCeannComhairleRePresidentialElectionof27October2011/Name%2C15140%2Cen.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 February 2012 |title=Donations and election expenses disclosed |work=Report to Ceann Comhairle Re Presidential Election of 27 October 2012 |publisher=Standards in Public Office Commission |date=14 February 2012 }} Candidates who receive more than 25% of a quota (i.e. 12.5% of the total votes; 221,471 votes) at any stage are entitled to a refund of election expenses to a maximum of €200,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.sipo.gov.ie/en/Guidelines/Elections/GuidelinesforthePresidentialElection-2011/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115075628/http://www.sipo.gov.ie/en/Guidelines/Elections/GuidelinesforthePresidentialElection-2011/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 January 2012 |title=Guidelines for the Presidential Election – 2011 |year=2011 |publisher=Standards in Public Office Commission |access-date=18 February 2012 }} Three candidates received the maximum refund allowed; the other four had too few votes and received no refund. Only donations above €638 need be reported, making the reported totals less meaningful.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0218/1224311977306.html|title=Áras race shows money and spin can't buy success|last=Whelan|first=Noel|date=18 February 2012|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=18 February 2012|archive-date=18 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218042437/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0218/1224311977306.html|url-status=live}} Gay Mitchell had stated his campaign would be funded by a Fine Gael members' lottery.

{{Irish presidential election, 2011 campaign spending}}

{{Irish presidential election, 2011 opinion polls}}

Voting took place between 07:00 and 22:00 (IST) on 27 October.{{cite web|url=http://www.irisoifigiuil.ie/archive/2011/september/Ir020911.pdf|title=Presidential Election Order 2011|work=Iris Oifigiúil|date=2 September 2011|access-date=26 October 2011|archive-date=14 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414230519/http://www.irisoifigiuil.ie/archive/2011/september/Ir020911.pdf|url-status=live}}

As usual, voting began on certain offshore islands a few days before the rest of the country. On the Donegal islands of Arranmore, Gola, Inishfree, Inisbofin and Tory, voting took place on 24 October between 11:00 and 15:00 (11:00 and 19:30 on Arranmore). On 25 October, the Mayo islands of Clare Island, Inishbiggle and Inishturk went to the polls; while the Galway islands of Inishbofin and the Aran Islands voted on 26 October between 07:00 and 22:00.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1026/president.html|title=Voting under way on Aran Islands, Inis Bofin|work=RTÉ News|date=26 October 2011|access-date=26 October 2011|archive-date=26 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026045721/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1026/president.html|url-status=live}}

After 15 hours of voting, ballot boxes were secured, with nationwide counting of votes beginning the following morning after presidential votes were separated from constitutional referendum votes (which were due to be counted later).[http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/polls-open-to-elect-president-and-vote-on-referendums-525942.html "Polls open to elect president and vote on referendums"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221405/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/polls-open-to-elect-president-and-vote-on-referendums-525942.html |date=3 March 2016 }}. Irish Examiner. 27 October 2011.[http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/polls-open-for-presidential-election-2917904.html "Polls open for presidential election"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028151820/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/polls-open-for-presidential-election-2917904.html |date=28 October 2011 }}. Irish Independent. 27 October 2011.[http://www.hotpress.com/Michael-D-Higgins/news/Voting-Opens-in-Presidential-Election/8449243.html?new_layout=1 "Voting Opens in Presidential Election"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028172232/http://www.hotpress.com/Michael-D-Higgins/news/Voting-Opens-in-Presidential-Election/8449243.html?new_layout=1 |date=28 October 2011 }}. Hot Press. 27 October 2011.[http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1027/president.html "Polling closes in Presidential Election"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028003726/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1027/president.html |date=28 October 2011 }}. RTÉ News. 27 October 2011.

Counting of votes began at 09:00 on 28 October. The fourth and final count was completed by 15:56 on 29 October.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1029/vote_tracker.html|title=Live: Michael D Higgins elected President|work=RTÉ|access-date=29 October 2011|date=29 October 2011|archive-date=28 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028230851/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1029/vote_tracker.html|url-status=live}}

{{STV Election box begin5

|title = 2011 Irish presidential election{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/presidentialelection/results.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028230925/http://www.rte.ie/news/presidentialelection/results.html|archive-date=28 October 2011|title=Vote 2011 – Presidential Election|work=RTÉ News|date=28 October 2011|access-date=28 October 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2011P&cons=194|title=Presidential Election November 2011|work=ElectionsIreland.org|access-date=30 October 2011|archive-date=1 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101162225/http://electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2011P&cons=194|url-status=live}}

|numcounts = 4

}}

{{STV Election box candidate5

|candidate = Michael D. Higgins

|party = Labour Party (Ireland)

|nominator = Oireachtas: Labour Party

|percentage = 39.6

|count1 = 701,101

|count2 = 730,480

|count3 = 793,128

|count4 = 1,007,104

}}

{{STV Election box candidate5

|candidate = Seán Gallagher

|party = Independent politician (Ireland)

|nominator = County and City Councils

|percentage = 28.5

|count1 = 504,964

|count2 = 529,401

|count3 = 548,373

|count4 = 628,114

}}

{{STV Election box candidate5

|candidate = Martin McGuinness

|party = Sinn Féin

|nominator = Oireachtas: Sinn Féin & Independents

|percentage = 13.7

|count1 = 243,030

|count2 = 252,611

|count3 = 265,196

|count4 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate5

|candidate = Gay Mitchell

|party = Fine Gael

|nominator = Oireachtas: Fine Gael

|percentage = 6.4

|count1 = 113,321

|count2 = 127,357

|count3 = 136,309

|count4 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate5

|candidate = David Norris

|party = Independent politician (Ireland)

|nominator = County and City Councils

|percentage = 6.2

|count1 = 109,469

|count2 = 116,526

|count3 =  

|count4 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate5

|candidate = Dana Rosemary Scallon

|party = Independent politician (Ireland)

|nominator = County and City Councils

|percentage = 2.9

|count1 = 51,220

|count2 =  

|count3 =  

|count4 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate5

|candidate = Mary Davis

|party = Independent politician (Ireland)

|nominator = County and City Councils

|percentage = 2.7

|count1 = 48,657

|count2 =  

|count3 =  

|count4 =  

}}

{{STV Election box end5

|numcounts = 4

|electorate = 3,191,157

|valid = 1,771,762

|spoilt = 18,676 (1.0%)

|quota = 885,882

|turnout = 1,790,438 (56.1%)

}}

{{bar box

|title=First preference vote

|titlebar=#ddd

|width=600px

|barwidth=410px

|bars=

{{bar percent|Higgins|{{party color|Labour Party (Ireland)}}|39.6}}

{{bar percent|Gallagher|{{party color|Independent politician}}|28.5}}

{{bar percent|McGuinness|{{party color|Sinn Féin}}|13.7}}

{{bar percent|Mitchell|{{party color|Fine Gael}}|6.4}}

{{bar percent|Norris|{{party color|Independent politician}}|6.2}}

{{bar percent|Scallon|{{party color|Independent politician}}|2.9}}

{{bar percent|Davis|{{party color|Independent politician}}|2.7}}

}}

{{bar box

|title=Final percentage

|titlebar=#ddd

|width=600px

|barwidth=410px

|bars=

{{bar percent|Higgins|{{party color|Labour Party (Ireland)}}|56.8}}

{{bar percent|Gallagher|{{party color|Independent politician}}|35.5}}

}}

Fine Gael General Secretary Tom Curran called it a "bad day" for the party, adding "From early on the electorate had the view that Gay (Mitchell) was out of the race and that it was a two person race". Mitchell received only about one in eight votes from his previous constituency of Dublin South-Central.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/racetothearas/news/higgins-in-poll-position-as-mitchell-sees-campaign-crash-526229.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907130117/http://www.irishexaminer.com/racetothearas/news/higgins-in-poll-position-as-mitchell-sees-campaign-crash-526229.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 September 2012|title=Higgins in poll position as Mitchell sees campaign crash|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=28 October 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/28/higgins-ahead-irish-presidential-election?newsfeed=true|title=Higgins ahead in Irish presidential election|last=McDonald|first=Henry|work=The Guardian|access-date=28 October 2011|location=London|date=28 October 2011|archive-date=9 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309145106/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/28/higgins-ahead-irish-presidential-election?newsfeed=true|url-status=live}} Mitchell performed considerably worse than Fine Gael's 1990 candidate Austin Currie which was one of the party's most unsuccessful election campaigns.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1028/vote_tracker.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028151007/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1028/vote_tracker.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 October 2011 |title=Live: Election Count 1327 |work=RTÉ News |access-date=28 October 2011 }} Gallagher's sudden demise was compared to Devon Loch's fall at the winning post in the 1956 Grand National. Speaking at the RDS count centre, David Norris conceded and sent Higgins his congratulations, calling him "a bit of a maverick like myself".{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1028/breaking1.html|title=Tallies indicate Higgins set to become next president|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=28 October 2011|archive-date=28 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028110611/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1028/breaking1.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8855508/Michael-D-Higgins-on-course-win-Ireland-presidency.html|title=Michael D Higgins on course win Ireland presidency|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=28 October 2011|location=London|date=28 October 2011|archive-date=29 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029004957/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8855508/Michael-D-Higgins-on-course-win-Ireland-presidency.html|url-status=live}} Norris mentioned on radio that he had been "collecting apologies in the newspapers" and that they "told the truth in the end".{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1028/vote_tracker.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028151007/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1028/vote_tracker.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 October 2011 |title=Live: Election Count 1157 and 1143 |work=RTÉ News |access-date=28 October 2011 }}

Higgins received a hero's welcome at a victory reception on 30 October at Eyre Square, Galway; approximately 5,000 people turned out to welcome him home.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/tribal-homecoming-to-city-that-stole-his-heart-2921371.html|title=Tribal homecoming to city that stole his heart|date=30 October 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=1 November 2011|archive-date=1 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101102353/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/tribal-homecoming-to-city-that-stole-his-heart-2921371.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/irish-presidentelect-michael-d-higgins-welcomed-home-16070985.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720013857/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/irish-presidentelect-michael-d-higgins-welcomed-home-16070985.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 July 2012 |title=Irish president-elect Michael D Higgins welcomed home |date=31 October 2011 |work=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=1 November 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/racetothearas/analysis/tribal-welcome-home-for-president-elect-172377.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126154409/http://www.irishexaminer.com/racetothearas/analysis/tribal-welcome-home-for-president-elect-172377.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= 26 January 2013 |title=Tribal welcome home for President-elect |date=31 October 2011 |work=Irish Examiner |access-date=1 November 2011 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/29/michael-d-higgins-becomes-irish-president?newsfeed=true|title=Michael D Higgins becomes Irish president|date=31 October 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=1 November 2011|location=London|archive-date=15 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315073805/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/29/michael-d-higgins-becomes-irish-president?newsfeed=true|url-status=live}}

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Irish

Presidential Election

Category:Michael D. Higgins

2011 Presidential Election

Irish presidential election, 2011

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