{"id":102944,"date":"2025-11-12T04:35:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T04:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=102944"},"modified":"2025-11-12T04:35:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T04:35:00","slug":"catherine-connolly-becomes-10th-president-of-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=102944","title":{"rendered":"Catherine Connolly becomes 10th president of Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>3 Minute, 52 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
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Catherine Connolly has said she will make sure all voices are nurtured and heard during her presidency.<\/p>\n

Speaking at Dublin Castle, where she was inaugurated as the 10th President of the Republic of Ireland, she said the country has been undergoing \u201cseismic changes\u201d since the end of the Cold War.<\/p>\n

She said she was looking forward to her first visit to Northern Ireland as president and that she would foster an inclusive dialogue across the island.<\/p>\n

Connolly was elected in a\u00a0landslide vote at the end of October, defeating Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys.<\/p>\n

In her speech, she said \u201cour actions today will shape the world our grandchildren will inherit\u201d.<\/p>\n

She also said: \u201cWe can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement model of peaceful resolution of conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Irish presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese and former Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar attend Catherine Connolly\u2019s inauguration<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 68 year old has taken over the role from Michael D Higgins, whose 14-year term ended at midnight.<\/p>\n

The inauguration ceremony at Dublin Castle on Tuesday was attended by politicians, judges and other invited guests.<\/p>\n

As well as Mr Higgins, former Irish presidents, Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, were in attendance.<\/p>\n

Taoiseach (Ireland\u2019s prime minister) Miche\u00e1l Martin congratulated Connolly on assuming office, saying it was a \u201chappy and momentous\u201d day for her and her family.<\/p>\n

Catherine Connolly, pictured with Chief Justice Donal O\u2019Donnell, as she read out her presidential declaration in Irish<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Republic of Ireland\u2019s president is the country\u2019s head of state; however, it is a non-executive role.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday morning, she travelled from Farmleigh at Phoenix Park to Dublin Castle with her husband, Brian McEnery, in a ceremonial motorcade.<\/p>\n

She was sworn into office in St Patrick\u2019s Hall by the chief justice Donal O\u2019Donnell.<\/p>\n

A service of prayer and reflection took place during the ceremony.<\/p>\n

Connolly was presented with the Presidential Seal and made a speech.<\/p>\n

Who attended the inauguration?<\/h2>\n
Northern Ireland\u2019s First Minister, Michelle O\u2019Neil,l attended the ceremony<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As well as the Taoiseach, t\u00e1naiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris, senior Irish government ministers and judges attended the inauguration.<\/p>\n

First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill also attended the ceremony and was accompanied by Sinn F\u00e9in president Mary Lou McDonald.<\/p>\n

However, in her inauguration speech, Connolly mistakenly called O\u2019Neill \u201cMichelle Smith\u201d.<\/p>\n

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly did not attend the inauguration.<\/p>\n

Little-Pengelly said\u00a0she has a number of commitments in Belfast and Windsor\u00a0for Remembrance Day on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

She wished the new president well and said she was hoping to have a phone call with her.<\/p>\n

Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin and his wife Mary O\u2019Shea at Dublin Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the absence of Little-Pengelly, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) did not send a representative to the inauguration,\u00a0with party leader Gavin Robinson insisting it was not a \u201csnub\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said the party would be \u201cpleased\u201d to meet Connolly when she visits Northern Ireland in the future in her formal capacity.<\/p>\n

Ulster Unionist Party MLA Steve Aiken was the only unionist politician to attend the inauguration.<\/p>\n

He attended in place of party leader Mike Nesbitt, who had other commitments.<\/p>\n

He said it is not a bad look that he is the only unionist attending the event.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually understand the reasons why some of them weren\u2019t able to make it, because obviously Emma Little-Pengelly would be here in other circumstances, but today is Armistice Day,\u201d he told BBC News NI.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it\u2019s very important for her to be in Belfast and also to be with our head of state, the King, in Windsor Castle.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no snub, or no snub are intended, and that\u2019s why I am here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am here, I am a unionist, and we have a substantial part of the vote. So we are here and we are showing the respect due to the president.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina left their official residence on Monday night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the ceremony, the newly inaugurated president travelled to \u00c1ras an Uachtar\u00e1in, the official home of the Irish president, via motorcade.<\/p>\n

Connolly was the guest of honour at a state reception in Dublin Castle on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, she will visit a gaelscoil (Irish language school) in Dublin, a family resource centre in County Meath and a nursing home in County Galway.<\/p>\n

Connolly has served as a TD (member of the Irish parliament) since 2016, and her election as president will trigger a by-election in Galway West.<\/p>\n

She previously worked as a barrister and psychologist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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