The President of Ireland (Irish: Uachtarán na hÉireann) is the head of state of the Republic of Ireland and the supreme commander of the Irish Defence Forces.
Ireland is a presidential republic, with an elected executive president as head of state and chief of government. Although initially the title was Governor-General the title was changed to President when Ireland renounced their Commonwealth status in 2014. The President isn’t partisan but can be endorsed by a party although they shouldn’t be on the political spectrum rather bringing the best of all ideologies with them. The President is elected to a 6 year term and cannot be re-elected as per the 1965 amendment.
Governor-General (1922-2014)[]
Name | Term | Election | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Michael Collins (1890-1965) |
December 6, 1922
- March 4, 1965 A |
Appointed | Independence hero. First and longest serving head of State. Assassinated. |
James Ryan (1891-1970) |
March 4, 1965
- August 31, 1966 |
Elevated from Chancellor | Oversaw the 1965 amendment. Established the National Healthcare Service. |
Chaim Herzog (1918-1999) |
August 31, 1966
- August 31, 1972 |
1966 | First Ulsterian and Jewish. Nobel Peace Prize winner for helping quell differences in the Middle East with an great arbitration. |
Liam Cosgrave (1920-2013) |
August 31, 1972
- August 31, 1978 |
1972 | Son of the First Chancellor. Improved the Education System and the Pension system. |
Patrick Hillery (1923-2008) |
August 31, 1978
- August 31, 1984 |
1978 | First Governor-General to run unopposed. |
John Hume (1937) |
August 31, 1984
- August 31, 1990 |
1984 | Second Ulster Governor-General. Nobel Peace Prize winner for helping ensure a smooth transition and write the Russian Constitution. |
Mary Robinson (1944) |
August 31, 1990
- August 31, 1996 |
1990 | First Female Governor-General. |
Robert Redford (1936) |
August 31, 1996
- August 31, 2002 |
1996 | Oversaw the end of the use of Irish Soil for tax purposes. |
Mary McAleese (1951) |
August 31, 2002
- August 31, 2008 |
2002 | Second Female Governor-General and third Ulsterian. Oversaw the Civil Partnership act. |
Mark Kelly (1964) |
August 31, 2008
- August 31, 2014 |
2008 | Established the Irish National Space Station. Twin brother of Chancellor Scott Kelly. Last Governor-General, oversaw the end of the Dominion and Commonwealth era. |
President (since 2014)[]
After 2014 decided to renounce the monarchy a referendum was held to rename the Head of State and Government. The title of President won with 77% on the account of its worldwide use.