Catherine Connolly has said she will make sure all voices are nurtured and heard during her presidency. Speaking at Dublin Castle where she was inaugurated as the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland, she said the country has been undergoing seismic changes since the end of the Cold War.
She expressed her eagerness for her first visit to Northern Ireland as president, emphasizing the need for inclusive dialogue across the island.
Connolly was elected in a landslide vote at the end of October - defeating Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys and is stepping into the role after Michael D Higgins, whose 14-year term ended at midnight.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by politicians and judges, was described by Taoiseach Micheál Martin as a happy and momentous day for Connolly and her family. We can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement model of peaceful resolution of conflict, she stated during her address.
As president, Connolly will serve as the country's head of state in a primarily ceremonial capacity. She succeeded in the role after her remarkable career in public service, including her work as a barrister and psychologist, and has been a member of the Irish parliament since 2016.
The day began with a ceremonial motorcade from Farmleigh at Phoenix Park to Dublin Castle, leading to a swearing-in ceremony held in St Patrick's Hall, where she received the Presidential Seal and delivered an inaugural address.
Notable attendance at the ceremony included Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill, and other senior government officials, although the Democratic Unionist Party declined to send a representative due to commitments on Remembrance Day.
Following her inauguration, Connolly will host a state reception at Dublin Castle and is expected to trigger a by-election in Galway West due to her new role.
