Connolly vs. the Crown: A Tale of Two Systems
Catherine Connolly became Ireland’s 10th ceremonial president on November 11th this year. Her steady climb, marked by quiet graft and an instinct for service, feels worlds apart from a monarchy that steps into privilege by “birthright”.
11/16/20251 min read
Before comparing, here are 5 quick facts about Catherine Connolly
She was one of 14 children, growing up in a working-class area of Galway. Her father was a carpenter and looked after the family after her mother died.
She holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology (University of Leeds) and later a Law degree (University of Galway), becoming a barrister in 1991.
Before national politics, she was Mayor of Galway (2004–2005) after serving on Galway City Council.
She describes herself as a socialist and a pacifist, strongly supports Irish neutrality, and is critical of NATO and increased European militarisation.
On 25 October 2025, she won the Irish presidential election in a landslide, securing about 63% of first-preference votes
Catherine Connolly vs. The Royal Family
1. How They Got Their Position
Catherine Connolly
✔ Elected by the people
✔ Won votes in open, competitive elections
✔ Earned her legitimacy through public support
Royal Family
✖ Born into their roles
✖ No elections, no competition
✖ Authority comes from inheritance, not choice
2. Accountability
Catherine Connolly
✔ Answerable to voters
✔ Can be questioned, criticised, or voted out
✔ Bound by democratic rules
Royal Family
✖ Not elected and cannot be removed by the public easily
✖ Monarch has legal immunity
✖ Limited public oversight
3. Path to Leadership
Catherine Connolly
✔ Clinical psychologist → barrister → councillor → mayor → MP → President
✔ Decades of public service
✔ Represents ordinary citizens
Royal Family
✖ Born into wealth and privilege
✖ No qualifications required
✖ Represents inherited tradition
4. Role & Function
Catherine Connolly
✔ Constitutional guardian, not US-style executive president
✔ Represents Ireland internationally
✔ Promotes peace, equality, and democracy
Royal Family
✖ Symbolic tradition-holder
✖ Constitutional powers by custom, not mandate
✖ Represents hierarchy
5. Symbolism
Catherine Connolly
✔ Democracy
✔ Merit
✔ Equality
✔ Modern republic
Royal Family
✖ Inherited privilege
✖ Hierarchy
✖ Unelected authority
✖ Monarchical tradition
Catherine Connolly rose from humble beginnings to become Ireland’s ceremonial president through hard work and service, a stark contrast to the royals, who inherit status and privilege. Her leadership is earned, grounded in values and accountability, while theirs is granted by birth. The gulf between them is clear: one commands respect through dedication, the other relies on entitlement.
The good news is that it does not need to be this way for Britain. If you are feeling inspired, then please join us in the Green Party’s Democracy, Government and Constitution Working Group where we are updating policy on inherited principles.
Email the Policy Development Committee at pdc@greenparty.org.uk