Presidential candidates Michael Flatley and Joanna Donnelly have announced they will not pursue nominations for the upcoming election.

Irish Presidential Race: Joanna Donnelly and Michael Flatley Withdraw Their Candidacies

In a series of surprising developments, two high-profile contenders, Joanna Donnelly and Michael Flatley, have withdrawn their names from the race for the Irish presidency.

The announcement came earlier this week when Joanna Donnelly, a former meteorologist, revealed her intention to run for the presidential election. Initially, she considered the idea as "insane," but after reflection, she decided it could be pursued. However, on Friday, she announced her decision to withdraw from the race on Instagram, stating that she was "wholly unprepared" for such a campaign.

In a separate announcement, Michael Flatley, the choreographer of Lord of the Dance and the first male lead in Riverdance, also abandoned his attempt to enter the presidential election race. He made no public statement regarding his decision.

Joanna Donnelly thanked people for their kind words of support and encouragement, but expressed her belief that she is not up to the challenges of the presidential campaign. She stated that she still sees herself as having the qualities that she would like to see in the next Uachtaraín na hÉireann.

Meanwhile, Joanna Donnelly is not the only one who has decided to step back from the race. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has parked his hopes of being elected as Aras an Uachtaraín.

In the midst of these withdrawals, the Fianna Fáil party is moving forward with its selection process. On Friday night, it was confirmed that former Dublin Gaelic football manager Jim Gavin and MEP Billy Kelleher have received the required number of nominations to proceed to the party's candidate selection process. A secret ballot is to be held among the party's TDs, MEPs, and Senators next Tuesday to choose Fianna Fáil's nominee for the presidential election.

Jim Gavin received the required number of nominations to participate in the Fianna Fáil candidate selection process on January 24, 2024. This makes him a strong contender for the party's nomination.

The withdrawals of Joanna Donnelly and Michael Flatley mark the third and fourth high-profile names to announce the end of their presidential campaigns in less than 48 hours. The race for the Irish presidency continues to evolve, with many more developments expected in the coming weeks.