The Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll found that prospective Fine Gael candidate Mairead McGuinness was the preferred choice of 34.8% of respondents.

Ireland’s next presidential election is set to take place on or before November 11, 2025, as Michael D. Higgins’ second term comes to an end.

The poll presented 14 potential candidates to the public, asking: “Which of the following would you vote for in the 2025 Irish Presidential election?”

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was in a close contest for third place, initially leading Tommy Tiernan through 10 rounds of voting before the comedian ultimately overtook him.

Ahern finished fourth, followed by Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald in fifth with 12.8% of the vote.

Other candidates included Frances Fitzgerald (10.4%), Róisín Shortall (9.3%), and Heather Humphreys (6.6%).

Further down the list, former GAA president Seán Kelly received 5.5%, Jarlath Burns 4%, and Frances Black 3.7%.

Former People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith garnered 3.2%, while John Finucane received 2%, and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú placed last with 1.7%.