Dublin — Former Chief Medical Officer Professor Tony Holohan has given his strongest indication yet that he may contest the upcoming presidential election, describing recent polling on his potential candidacy as “encouraging.”
Holohan, who became a household name during the Covid-19 pandemic, confirmed that some of his supporters commissioned Amárach Research to gauge public sentiment on his chances in the race for Áras an Uachtaráin.
Poll Snapshot: McGuinness Leads, Holohan Ties with Ahern
The survey asked participants to rank their preferred presidential choice from a shortlist of five potential candidates.
- Mairead McGuinness (Fine Gael, current European Commissioner) led with 29% support.
- Catherine Connolly (Independent, Ceann Comhairle) was second with 22%.
- Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin leader, not yet declared) secured 20%.
- Tony Holohan and Bertie Ahern (former Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil) both recorded 15%.
At this stage, only McGuinness and Connolly have secured the nominations required to appear on the ballot.
Holohan: “Encouraging” Response Without Formal Campaign
Speaking about the results, Holohan said:
“Some supporters arranged for this limited piece of research and I was aware it was taking place. The results are encouraging, especially as I have not declared my candidacy.”
He added that entering the race is a “significant decision” and he is consulting with family and friends. Holohan acknowledged that securing the necessary nominations from 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities would require a serious, well-organised campaign, but expressed confidence he could mobilise quickly if he chooses to run.
Survey Details
- Conducted by Amárach Research between July 29–31, 2025.
- 1,000 adults surveyed online, selected to be nationally representative by age, gender, region, and social class.
- Margin of error: ±3%, results subject to rounding.
- The presidential questions formed part of a wider omnibus survey.
Gerard O’Neill, chairman of Amárach Research, described the results as an “interesting snapshot” but noted that further research could explore voter likelihood and party affiliations.
Wider Presidential Race Developments
The poll was conducted before businessman Gareth Sheridan announced his intention to seek council nominations for the presidency. Sheridan’s entry adds further competition to a race that is already shaping up to be one of the most diverse in recent memory.
While the cost of adding questions to an omnibus survey typically ranges from hundreds to a few thousand euros, O’Neill declined to reveal the amount spent on the presidential polling, citing commercial sensitivity.
