CANDIDATE PROFILE 2: CATHERINE CONNOLLY

CATHERINE Connolly, a former psychologist and barrister from Galway, is a self-described political “underdog” who has united the Irish left for the presidential election.

- BY GRAINNE NI AODHA

The mother-of-two, 68, lives in Claddagh and is an Irish speaker who has been an elected politician for more than 25 years.

Ms Connolly grew up as one of 13 siblings - seven boys and seven girls, five of whom were younger than her - in Shantalla, Co Galway. Her mother died when she was nine years old, which she said may have influenced her becoming a “shy” child.

She said she experienced a “seminal moment" during her childhood when a protest was organised against a Traveller family moving into her locality.