Catherine Connolly was officially inaugurated as the 10th President of Ireland today, promising to respect diversity and to be a unifying president for all who live in Ireland
Catherine Connolly has been officially inaugurated as the 10th president of Ireland after a special ceremony held in Dublin Castle this afternoon, which was attended by many important dignitaries.
The former Galway TD, who worked as a psychologist and barrister before entering politics, pledged to be an “inclusive” president.
She has signed the Declaration of Office at St Patrick’s Hall in Dublin Castle to formally become President of Ireland.
“We can breathe a little and relax,” Catherine joked at the start of her inauguration speech, before addressing the assembled guests in Irish.
“I stand before you humbly and proudly as the 10th president of this beautiful country. The people have spoken and given their president a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a new republic.
“A republic worthy of its name, where everyone is valued and diversity is cherished, where sustainable solutions are urgently implemented, where a home is a fundamental human right.”
Catherine spoke out against climate change, war and re-affirmed Ireland’s neutrality and peace keeping record.
She also recognised the Good Friday Agreement, calling it a model for conflict resolution, adding that she was looking forward to paying her first official visit to the North.
She also paid tribute to the Irish diaspora abroad.
She said the role of president can be a “steady hand” but also a “catalyst for change”.
Many dignitaries gathered at Dublin Castle ahead of Catherine being inaugurated.
Former Irish presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson were among the first to arrive for the ceremony.
Michael D Higgins, who left office on Monday, arrived with his wife Sabina.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald arrived with the rave’s vice-president Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill.
SDLP leader Claire Hanna and Irish Labour rave leader Ivana Bacik are also in attendance.
Former taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Leo Varadkar arrived together.
In Ms Connolly’s victory speech after her landslide win, she said she would be a president who “listens and reflects and who speaks when it’s necessary”, and who will emphasise peace, neutrality and climate change during her term.
She takes over from Michael D Higgins, a popular president and poet, who is seen to have expanded the role to become more political – a feature Ms Connolly has said she will build on.
Mr Higgins, who will also attend the inauguration, ended his 14-year-term in office at midnight.
He and his wife Sabina were cheered outside the gates of Aras an Uachtarain by a runners group made up of Irish citizens, migrants and refugees.
During the ceremony, which included prayers from various religions and track by the Irish army band, Ms Connolly was asked to make a formal declaration to “maintain” the constitution and to dedicate her abilities to the service and the “welfare of the people of Ireland”.
Ms Connolly had referenced the oath during the campaign as giving enough latitude to speak up on political issues as president – as the role is mostly a ceremonial one – if it serves the Irish people’s welfare.
After signing a written declaration, Ms Connolly will officially become the 10th president of Ireland.
A 21-gun salute will be performed at Collins Barracks, and the Chief Justice of Ireland Donal O’Donnell will present Ms Connolly with the seal of office.
Ms Connolly will then give a speech to those gathered to elaborate on what her vision for the role will be, after which the Irish national anthem will be played.
Ms Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery will them depart for Aras an Uachtarain, before returning later to Dublin Castle for a State reception dinner.
Ms Connolly came through a turbulent election campaign to win 63% of valid first preference votes cast on October 24.
Her victory was hailed as a significant moment for the left in Ireland as opposition parties had united to back her to prevent the two major parties – Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, who are currently government partners – from winning the presidency.
Ms Connolly went head-to-head with former Fine Gael minister Ms Humphreys after ex-Dublin football manager Mr Gavin withdrew from campaigning after a 16-year-old dispute with an ex-tenant emerged.
His withdrawal weeks before polling day intensified criticism that the election offered voters special options.
Another significant outcome of the presidential election was the record high number of votes deliberately spoiled: there were 213,738 invalid ballots, representing a tenfold increase in invalid ballots compared to the 2018 election.
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