Independent candidate Catherine Connolly is set to become Ireland’s next president after her rival conceded.
Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys said: “Catherine will be a president for all of us and she will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best.
“I have absolutely not one regret.”
Ireland’s deputy premier has “sincerely” congratulated Ms Connolly on “becoming our next president of Ireland”.
Simon Harris, who leads the Fine Gael party that nominated Ms Humphreys, said in a statement that Ms Connolly will be a president “for all this country and for all of us”.
Ms Connolly previously said she was “absolutely delighted” with the tallies showing she was on the path to replacing Michael D Higgins, a popular poet and former arts minister who has served the maximum two terms in office.
The role – which has been held by Mr Higgins for the last 14 years – is largely ceremonial, but one with real national significance.
Around 3.4 million people are eligible to vote.
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