IRISH presidential election results are expected tomorrow after final opinion polls predicted a landslide for independent candidate Catherine Connolly.

An opinion poll on Thursday gave Ms Connolly 40 per cent versus 25 per cent for her opponent, Heather Humphreys, a former cabinet minister. 

When figures were adjusted for those who are undecided or plan to spoil their vote, Ms Connolly had 55 per cent and Ms Humphreys 35 per cent.

The two were the only contenders after Jim Gavin, the candidate for Prime Minister Micheal Martin’s Fianna Fail party, quit the race earlier this month over a long-ago financial dispute. 

Others, including musician Bob Geldof and former mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor, failed to receive enough backing for a nomination.

The winner will succeed Michael D Higgins, who has been president since 2011, having served the maximum two seven-year terms, and will be the third woman to hold the post.

The presidency is largely ceremonial, but Ms Connolly’s win would mark a triumph for an alliance of opposition left-wing parties that campaigned for her.

Artists and musicians such as Kneecap and the Mary Wallopers endorsed the 68-year-old former barrister.