Connolly holds commanding lead in Irish presidential opinion polls

Left-wing independent candidate Catherine Connolly has a significant lead in the Irish presidential election, according to a poll published on the eve of voting day.

The Irish Independent/Ireland Thinks poll puts support for Ms Connolly on 40%, ahead of Fine Gael hopeful Heather Humphreys at 25%.

Ireland will head to polling stations on Friday to cast votes in the election.

The count will begin on Saturday morning with a declaration expected at Dublin Castle later that day.

Speaking about the strong opinion poll performance on Thursday, Ms Connolly said: “It’s wonderful for my team but we take absolutely nothing for granted.”

She told reporters at St Anne’s National School in Co Roscommon: “I would appeal to everyone to come out and vote.

“To be president of Ireland is an absolute privilege and I leave that to the people of Ireland.”

On the final full day of campaigning, she focused on the west of Ireland. At the primary school in Castlerea students put on Irish dancing displays and performed a number of songs, including Ireland’s Call, for the presidential hopeful.

Her next stop was Robert Flynn, a 200-year old grocery store in the town centre where packets of porridge fill the shelves alongside live goldfish and ammunition belts.

The 87-year-old shopkeeper, Tom Flynn, was so confident of Friday’s result he told Ms Connolly it was “the first time we ever have the president of Ireland here”.

Ms Humphreys took her campaigning to Sligo and Donegal on Thursday in a bid to convince voters she should take over from outgoing President Michael D Higgins.

She said: “It is so important we get that vote out tomorrow. Because I don’t believe one bit in those polls, don’t mind those polls. Tomorrow is the poll.”

Fine Gael leader and Irish deputy premier Simon Harris gave a “particular appeal to people from other political traditions” to lend their vote to Ms Humphreys as he joined her for canvassing, adding: “She won’t let you down.”

Speaking at an event in Donegal, he said: “The polls said Michael D Higgins was never going to be president – he won the election, he won twice and he did a very good job.

“Tomorrow, we’re going to defy all the sceptics, and we’re going to elect Heather Humphreys the 10th president of Ireland – but only with your help.”

Earlier, at the Irish Country Living Women and Agriculture Conference in Rosses Point, Ms Humphreys told local media that she had a “great campaign”, adding: “One thing I have learned is that we have a wonderful country and we should be very proud of it.”

Fianna Fail candidate Jim Gavin, despite declaring weeks ago that he has withdrawn from the race, will remain on the ballot paper and placed at 7% in the latest opinion poll.

The combined number of people who said they were undecided, would not vote or would spoil their vote was 28%.

When they are removed, Ms Connolly holds 55% of the vote, with Ms Humphreys on 35%.

Ireland uses a system of transferable votes in elections but if the margin between Ms Humphreys and Ms Connolly cannot be closed with Mr Gavin’s votes, a winner will be known after the first count.