With Presidential Election Day approaching, Limerick Voice took to the streets of Limerick city to gauge local reaction to the candidates and the recent debates. Reactions ranged from frustration and scepticism to cautious support, highlighting the challenges voters face in choosing Michael D. Higgins’ successor at Áras an Uachtaráin.
For some, the choice between candidates was described as ‘choosing the lesser of two evils’. One student who is struggling with the cost of living, revealed how he has decided not to vote, as no option will meet his expectations. “I feel like I’m picking between the lesser of two evils. I’m not using my vote – either way I’ll be unhappy,” he said.
Others mentioned the role of the media in shaping opinions. A first-time voter explained that coverage of Catherine Connolly has made it difficult to understand her policies. “The media is always twisting Connolly’s words, and as someone who isn’t into politics it makes it hard to understand her policies from an outside perspective. I work with older people and they believe what they see on the news about how she’s anti-European and stuff, and it’s annoying to see,” she said.
A young man acknowledged his mixed feelings about Connolly but still plans to vote for her. “It’s hard to decide on a new representative for the country after Michael D. Higgins’ stellar work over the last 14 years, and to be totally honest I’m not a fan of Connolly as a person. I will vote for Connolly, but she doesn’t 100% fit the kind of person who should be representing the country,” he explained.
Some students admitted they are only vaguely aware of the presidential campaign, noting that local elections often get more attention. One said, “I haven’t heard too much about the election. I feel like a bigger deal is made for local elections than the presidential one. I’ll definitely be voting, and Catherine Connolly for sure.”
Others pointed to generational differences. A young worker, who missed the registration deadline, said she admires Connolly’s efforts to connect with younger voters. “I missed the deadline to register, but I would vote for Catherine Connolly because she just seems the better option from the two. She’s definitely not perfect, but she actually cares more than Heather Humphreys. Catherine seems to be doing more to try and appeal to younger generations. I think the presidential election isn’t as important in Ireland because the president feels more of a show of face for the country while the Taoiseach seems to run the show,” she said.
Not all voters are convinced either candidate is inspiring. A long-time voter voiced frustration with the candidates and the system itself. “None of the candidates inspire me to vote for them. The voting pool is a sad reflection of the kind of people we’ve had in previous ones. The arguments that they are running on are immaterial as they have no voice on the politics of the day – they are only a representative. I don’t think they have any notion of the troubles and hardships ordinary people are living through,” she said.
Even those unable to vote expressed concern about civic participation. An international student said, “I know a lot of people who aren’t voting and it’s really disappointing. Voting is how we can share our voice, and not voting is only hurting us more, especially with everything going on in the world right now.”
Overall, conversations on the streets of Limerick suggest that while Catherine Connolly appears to hold a slight edge over Heather Humphreys, voter enthusiasm remains cautious.
Many residents are struggling with media narratives, generational divides, and the weight of replacing a beloved president. Ultimately, the election will come down to the numbers on the ballots – but for now, skepticism and uncertainty rule local discussions.