Donald Trump's overnight victory in the US Presidential Election has sent political shock-waves around the world.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny made it clear that he was not a fan of Trump during the campaign - he was out early today to offer Ireland's congratulations to the New Yorker:

"Ireland and the United States have enjoyed a very close and warm relationship for many generations and I am confident that under his leadership our bilateral relations will continue to prosper," he wrote in a statement.

He added that the county will also be thinking of Hillary Clinton "who fought such a tough campaign."

A man dressed in red-white-and-blue sits on the curb during a protest against President-elect Donald / PA

Fianna Fáil Leader, Micheál Martin commented, "I would like to congratulate Mr Trump and his team on their victory in yesterday’s US General Election."

"In his victory speech, Mr Trump said that he would move now to heal the wounds of the campaign and would govern for all. This is welcome."

He added a note of caution: "There is no doubt that some of the policy positions articulated by Mr Trump during his campaign are a cause for concern for our interests, for example the renegotiation of trade agreements, his pursuit of US companies headquartered overseas and the position of undocumented Irish."

Mr Martin believes Ireland will continue to have a strong relationship with the US under President Trump.

Trump has pledged to cut corp tax from 35% to 15%. With control of House & Senate, he may actually do it. Potentially very serious for us.

— Michael McGrath (@DeputyMcGrathTD) November 9, 2016

The party's spokesperson for finance Michael McGrath has highlighted the danger that Mr Trump's plans to slash US corporation tax will have on the Irish economy.

Dublin West Fianna Fail TD, Jack Chambers spoke with Newstalk and described the result as "concerning" - particularly in the context of coming after the Brexit vote in the UK:

"We are wedged between two uncertain situations," he said, adding that Trump's protectionist trade policies could be "enormously negative" for Ireland.

Mr Chambers also believes that if the president-elect follows through on his corporation tax promises both future foreign direct investment from the US and current jobs with US firms in Ireland are under threat.

Thought for the day: Respect the democratic choice of American people. Do not respect misogyny, racism, homophobia. 🇺🇸

— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) November 9, 2016

Sinn Fein deputy-leader Mary Lou McDonald took to twitter to offer her reaction to the result, stating that while she respects the US democratic choice, she cannot respect Mr Trump's misogyny, racism, and homophobia.

Separately the party's leader, Gerry Adams offered Donald Trump his congratulations.

He praised the role that political leaders from both sides of the political divide played in the Northern Irish peace process, adding, "We must ensure that support will continue with the new administration through the next four years."

Every day brings new https://t.co/g1q97LZfKo from USA challenges us 2 ensure support 4 Ireland, 4 peace process continues with Trump admin.

— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) November 9, 2016

Former-Tánaiste and Labour Party TD Joan Burton told Newstalk.com that she believes that the result represents a "striking point in US history - and possibly in world affairs."

She said that she was extremely disappointed to see Hillary Clinton lose the race and that Mr Trump's attacks represented a "viciousness which is seldom seen" in politics - and that she wonders if he would have treated a male politician with "the same level of contempt."

The Dublin West TD continued to say that she hopes that he will "do his best as a human being and as a politician" and that he will respect the responsibility that his new office holds.

PA

Also speaking to Newstalk, People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith said that anti-austerity parties in Ireland have "nothing to learn from Trump's campaign."

She believes that the roots of Trump's victory lay in income inequality and that Left groups need to harness the "serious and deep" in quality that voters face - but they need to use it in an hopeful way to build support for left wing political alternatives.

The Dublin south-central TD said that the support that Bernie Sanders highlighted growing support for left-leaning candidates in the US.

She believes that post-recession Ireland faces the same underlying problems as the US when it comes to income inequality.

Meanwhile, independent TD Michael Healy-Rae said "we are where we are" whether Irish people like Donald Trump or not - and that it is time to congratulate him.