Catherine Connolly, a veteran lawmaker on the far left of the Irish political spectrum, was elected president by a landslide margin on Saturday in a stinging rebuke to the recently re-elected centre-right coalition.

Connolly, 68, a long-time critic of the European Union in overwhelmingly pro-EU Ireland backed by the left-dominated opposition, was not a household name and was underestimated by many at the start of the contest for the largely ceremonial role.

Being an independent candidate, she built momentum as the campaign progressed, enthused younger voters and was elected with 63.4 percent of the vote. The other candidate seeking election, ex-cabinet minister Heather Humphreys, won 29.5 percent.

"I will be a president who listens, who reflects and who speaks when it's necessary. Together we can shape a new republic that values everybody," Connolly said in a speech at Dublin Castle.

Ireland's president is largely a figurehead, with seldom-used powers to test the constitutionality of legislation, but often speaks on the global stage and welcomes other heads of state to the country.

Many of Connolly's views -- from denouncing the EU's plans to boost military spending to questioning the trustworthiness of the United States, Britain and France over their stance on the war in Gaza -- are well to the left of many of the parties backing her, as well as outspoken incumbent Michael D Higgins.

The former clinical psychologist and barrister is also one of the leading pro-Palestinian voices in parliament -- a stance shared by government and most voters.

Although Connolly served as deputy speaker of Ireland's lower house after being first elected in 2016, her win was widely viewed as continuing the recent trend of choosing a more independent president based on the candidate's values.

She also benefited from dire campaigns from the two governing parties. Humphreys was not Fine Gael's first choice. Fianna Fail's pick, former Gaelic football coach Jim Gavin, abandoned his bid due to a financial scandal. (Reuters)