Conor McGregor has announced his intention to run for President of Ireland in the upcoming election, marking a dramatic shift from mixed martial arts to the political arena. The election is scheduled for 24 October 2025. The victory is deeply improbable, given Ireland’s strict constitutional requirements for candidacy and growing scepticism from political observers.
McGregor’s campaign relies heavily on public support rather than political endorsements. On 4 August, he launched an online petition demanding changes to Ireland’s nomination process, which mandates that candidates secure support from at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities. He condemned the current system as elitist, urging citizens to back his bid to appear on the ballot. Critics, including Dr Umar Al‑Qadri, dismissed the move as undemocratic, citing McGregor’s inflammatory rhetoric and legal record as disqualifiers.
McGregor claimed to have political backing, asserting that councillors and members of parliament supported him. However, no formal nominations have been confirmed. Indeed, experts and electoral analysts have pointed out that his prospects of securing even the minimum nominations remain slim.
Several policy proposals offered by McGregor further divide opinion, largely because the Irish presidency entails a largely ceremonial role with limited executive authority. He has vowed to deport “imported criminals and mentally deranged lunatics” and to clamp down on radical ideologies—promises that legal and political analysts argue exceed the constitutional remit of the office. Hence, many view his campaign less as a serious bid for office and more as a populist performance.
McGregor’s political shift follows a March visit to the United States for a Saint Patrick’s Day event at the White House, where he donned a “Make Ireland Great Again” cap and launched into criticism of immigration policy and political elites. His rhetoric drew swift and pointed condemnation from Irish leaders, including the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and several party figures, who described the visit and platform as inconsistent with the values of Irish political life.
Opinion polling reflects the deep scepticism of voters. A March poll found that only 7 per cent of respondents would consider voting for McGregor, with 90 per cent stating they would be less inclined to support any politician who nominated him.
Other high-profile contenders have emerged in the presidential race. Independent candidate Catherine Connolly has secured the necessary nominations, backed by parties such as Labour and the Social Democrats. Fine Gael is poised to nominate Heather Humphreys as its candidate, following the withdrawal of its previous nominee.
As the nomination window runs from 5 September to 24 September, McGregor faces the real prospect of failing to qualify. Without either a constitutional amendment or sufficient political endorsements, his name may not appear on the ballot at all.
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