President Connolly and family attend State reception at Dublin Castle

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Before we wrap up our live story, here is some analysis outlining why Catherine Connolly’s immediate task is to define the tone and scope of her presidency:

“Before her commanding election victory she was relatively little-known at national level and she remains in some respects an unknown quantity.

“Whether the quiet charisma that served her well on the campaign trail can translate into the often mundane routines of office is a question that only time will answer.

“She begins, however, buoyed by the hope of her supporters and the goodwill of the public as a whole.”

Thanks for staying with us on this historic day.

A new Republic, a call for Irish unity and a plan to let the language blossom in the Áras: Harry McGee explores what Catherine Connolly’s inauguration speech tells us about the kind of president she will be.

Family, friends, politicians, members of the judiciary and the diplomatic corps made up the majority of guests at the inauguration of President Catherine Connolly as Ireland’s 10th head of state, Marie O’Halloran reports.

Five hundred guests were seated in St Patrick’s Hall for the ceremony, including many of the President’s family. Siblings, including family in the US, were among those who attended her inauguration – none of them public figures.

President Connolly also said she would use her seven years as Ireland’s 10th president to be a “catalyst for change”, Ellen Coyne reports.

During her speech earlier today Ms Connolly mentioned diversity, climate justice and the housing crisis, telling those gathered that “a home is a fundamental human right”.

She was critical of a “prevailing narrative” which had suggested her left-wing unity campaign was “too far out, too left”.

“However, it became evident that the dominant narrative did not reflect or represent people’s values and concerns,” she said.

Catherine Connolly used English and Irish in her speech after she became the 10th president of Ireland, Éanna Ó Caollaí reports.

Below is part of her speech:

“It is significant that today is Remembrance Day, the 11th of the 11th, 2025.

“It gives – it’s significant on so many levels – but it gives us the opportunity to pause and to reflect on the horrors of war in a world where, unfortunately, we have all become witnesses to ongoing wars and genocide.

“Given our history, the normalisation of war and genocide has never been and will never be acceptable to us. As a sovereign independent nation with the long and cherished tradition of neutrality and an uninterrupted record of peacekeeping since 1958, Ireland is particularly well placed to lead and articulate alternative diplomatic solutions to conflict and war.

“Indeed, our experience of colonisation and resistance of a catastrophic man-made famine and forced immigration gives us a lived understanding of dispossession, hunger and war, and a mandate for Ireland to lead.

“We can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement, knowing that this is recognised far and wide and is a model for peaceful resolution of conflict.”

Cór na nÓg, the National Concert Hall’s children’s choir, got a VIP Garda escort out of Dublin Castle after performing for President Connolly.

Catherine Connolly, Ireland’s 10th president, has now arrived at Dublin Castle with her husband Brian.

President Connolly’s sons, their partners and the presidents’ siblings followed her.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces Rossa Mulcahy have all arrived at Dublin Castle.

More guests are arriving at Dublin Castle ahead of the State reception, Ellen Coyne reports, including former taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his partner Matt Barrett.

British ambassador to Ireland Kara Owen, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill have arrived at Dublin Castle in the last few minutes.

President Connolly’s decision to wear purple during her inauguration is seen as symbolic.

The colour often symbolises unity, dignity and bipartisanship, which aligns with her message of being a president for all.

Purple is also associated with the suffragettes who campaigned for women’s right to vote during the early 20th century.

Hillary Clinton notably wore purple during her concession speech following the election of Donald Trump as US president in 2016.

Ireland’s first female president, Mary Robinson, also wore purple at her inauguration in 1990.

Guests are arriving at Dublin Castle ahead of a State reception for President Connolly this evening.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam, politicians and members of civil society groups are all arriving now, Ellen Coyne reports.

President Connolly is expected to arrive within the next hour.

While many politicians past and present attended the inauguration, there were some notable absences, Marie O’Halloran reports.

Former taoiseach Enda Kenny is abroad and presidential candidate Heather Humphreys is on holiday following the election campaign.

Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly and DUP leader Gavin Robinson were also invited, but unable to attend because of Remembrance Day commitments.

President Catherine Connolly’s full inauguration speech has been published on the official President of Ireland website, which can be found here.

President Catherine Connolly will return to Dublin Castle this evening for a State reception which will also be attended by leading politicians, family and friends.

The reception will include performances from Cór Na nÓg, the National Concert Hall’s children’s choir, young musician and composer Jamie Duffy and legendary concertina player Cormac Begley, Ellen Coyne reports.

Traditional musicians Deirdre, Diarmaid and Donncha Moynihan will perform as will Galway musicians the ConTempo String Trio. The event will also witness a performance from Varo, a Dublin based group that perform traditional Irish music.

The final performances will include Johnny Óg Connolly with Cliodhna Costello and John Blake followed by Lisa O’Neill. Ms O’Neill had performed at an event for President Connolly during the campaign.

President Catherine Connolly may stay at Steward’s Lodge, the residence normally available to the Taoiseach, while some of the rooms in Áras an Uachtaráin are redecorated.

When Michael D Higgins was first inaugurated in 2011 he moved into the Áras immediately after then president Mary McAleese moved out, Marie O’Halloran reports.

As a result, none of the rooms have been updated for many years and it is understood the “spruce-up” will include some painting and other minor works which are expected to take a week to 10 days.

Ms Connolly is expected to spend some of her time in Galway in the interim.

President Catherine Connolly’s first official engagements tomorrow reflect some of her key interests, including her focus on the Irish language and disadvantaged communities, Marie O’Halloran reports.

She will visit Gaelscoil Inse Chór in Inchicore, the 240-pupil, nine-class primary school near the Memorial Gardens in Dublin 8.

Her second engagement of the day involves a visit to Trim Family Resource Centre in Co Meath. The community centre, based in a housing estate, aims to tackle disadvantage and poverty through a community development approach and its facilities include a food bank, education and training facilities and a counselling service.

Later tomorrow afternoon she will travel to her native Galway where she will visit Merlin Park Community Nursing home.

She currently has no other confirmed engagements for the remainder of the week.

President Catherine Connolly’s inauguration outfit was from Irish designer Louise Kennedy’s Autumn Winter 2025 ready to wear collection, Ellen Coyne reports.

Connolly wore a knee-length purple wool coat (€1,995), a matching purple silk blouse (€1,295) and purple wool wide leg trousers (€995). She also wore a pair of Louise Kennedy earrings (€1,395).

President Catherine Connolly said she will ensure “all voices are represented, heard and valued”.

Beginning her speech after signing her declaration of office, Ms Connolly remarked: “We can breathe a little – and relax.”

She said she stood before those gathered “humbly and proudly as the 10th president of this beautiful country”.

Ms Connolly said: “The people have spoken and have 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, and where a home is a fundamental human right.”

The President added: “The change that led to this joyful day began with the small group of elected representatives and volunteers facing what appeared to be insurmountable challenges.

“We were led to believe that it was too great a leap, that our ideas were too far out, too left – at odds with the prevailing narrative.”

“In shared conversations all over the country, however, it became evident that the dominant narrative did not reflect or represent people’s values and concerns.

“Time and time again, people spoke of how it served to silence, to other, to label, to exclude and to stifle critical thinking.

“Along with that meaningful engagement, we saw the emergence of hope. We saw the emergence of joy, along with the courage and determination of people to use their voices to shape a country that we can be proud of.”

Ms Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery are now departing Dublin Castle for Áras an Uachtaráin, before returning later to the castle for a State reception dinner.

Let us allow Irish to blossom, says President Catherine Connolly as Gaeilge

Political correspondent and Gaeilgeoir Harry McGee has translated the parts of President Catherine Connolly’s inauguration speech in which she spoke as Gaeilge.

She said in Irish: “It is you, the ordinary people of Ireland whom I met as I travelled around they country, who inspired me during the campaign, the people who struggle because of a lack of services every day, gaps that are there despite us living in such a wealthy country.

“I am thankful for your generosity in sharing your stories and supporting me.

“It is you who gives me hope, a hope that I will use now as President as I work on your behalf.

“The Irish language has such importance in projecting the soul and spirit of the country. I understand that for many years that soul and spirit were repressed. It was done deliberately in some cases, or because of neglect, a lack of care or a lack of understanding.”

“Tir gan teanga, tír gan anam,” she said. (A country without a language, a country with a soul.)

She continued in Irish: “When the native language is extinguished no country can express its spirit or its value or its desires.

“Our language, the revered language of our ancestors, is a language in which exists the spirit of our ancestors. It has been put in second place without sufficient respect or recognition.

“The hearts of our people were quenched when they were made to stop using their own language. It’s a language that expresses feelings and sentiment with every word.”

“Ligimis don Ghaeilge blathú,” she said. (Let us allow Irish to blossom.)

Continuing in Irish she said: “Let us listen to those who want no more than recognition for the language, Gaelgóiri in their own country, to respect those and also to respect ourselves.

“Irish will not be spoken in a low voice in the Áras, it will have first place as a working language and it will be spoken (by me) throughout the country, with hope, poetically and musically.

“Of course, Irish will be spoken authoritatively by me, and without any hesitation, when it is necessary.”

President Catherine Conolly is now leaving Dublin Castle, as the Air Corps fly above, and is invited by Capt Patrick Wilson to conduct an inspection of the guard of honour in the courtyard.

In her concluding remarks, President Connolly says: “I believe that the president should be a unifying president, a steady hand, yes, but also a catalyst for change, reflecting our desire for a republic that lives up to its name.

“I will embrace the role of the president with dignity, determination and courage.”

The tenth president of Ireland’s inauguration speech has been met with a standing ovation in St Patrick’s Hall at Dublin Castle.

Speaking as Gaeilge, Ms Connolly says it is the public that have given her “misneach” or courage.

She also spoke about the importance of the Irish language, saying “tír gan teanga, tír gan anam” (a country without a language is a country without a soul).

Ms Connolly also compares the challenge of the financial crisis when president Higgins took office to the climate and migrant crisis affecting the world as she now takes office.

She says it is “the responsibility of those entrusted with public office to come together, both nationally and internationally, to lead and to create the conditions for a sustainable existence on our planet”.

Ms Connolly also mentions one of her main campaign themes of neutrality, telling those gathered at Dublin Castle that Ireland’s understanding of colonisation, famine and forced immigration gives Ireland a mandate to “lead” on the issue of neutrality.

‘People have spoken and given their president a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a new republic,’ says President Catherine Connolly

In her first words as the 10th president of Ireland, Catherine Connolly says: “We can breathe a little, and relax.”

She extends “céad míle fáilte” to her family, her husband Brian and her two sons, her sisters and brothers who came from all over the world including Atlanta, Georgia and Toronto in Canada.

“Thank you that you took that sacrifice on yourselves to be with me today,” she says.

Ms Connolly said the people have spoken and have given their president “a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a new republic”.

She said the change that led to this joyful day began with a small group of elected representatives and volunteers “facing what appeared to be insurmountable challenges”.

Ms Connolly said we were led to believe that their ideas were too far out or too far left and at odds with the prevailing narrative.

However, she said, it became evident that the dominant narrative “did not reflect or represent people’s values and concerns”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has congratulated Catherine Connolly on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland.

Mr Martin said he had doubt she would “serve our country well” and looked forward to working with Ms Connolly.

“Today you begin your term as only the 10th President of Ireland, you also represent the longest unbroken chain of democratically elected heads of State,” he said.

Mr Martin has also recognised the “outstanding contribution” of Michael D Higgins and thanked Sabina Higgins also.

Catherine Connolly has now been officially inaugurated as the President of Ireland after being administered the prescribed declaration by the Chief Justice, Donal O’Donnell.

Ms Connolly has become the 10th President of Ireland.

She has been presented the seal of office by Mr O’Donnell.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has now requested the Chief Justice to administer the prescribed declaration to president-elect Catherine Connolly.

Eugene Lambe is currently playing the Uilleann pipes for those gathered at Dublin Castle. There will be a service of prayer afterwards and some music from Síle Denvir. The Chief Justice will then administer the declaration to president-elect Catherine Connolly.

Fianna Fáil Galway West TD John Connolly has paid tribute to president-elect Catherine Connolly and said this would be good for Galway as he arrived at Dublin Castle.

Speaking to reporters he said she has “great interest in justice, great interest in the environment, climate change”.

“She’s a formidable person in how she speaks and I expect it to be, I’d imagine it will be a very good speech,” he said of Ms Connolly’s address in which she is expected to set out the themes and projects she wishes to pursue.

President-elect Catherine Connolly has now entered St Patrick’s Hall in Dublin Castle alongside Tánaiste Simon Harris and followed by her husband Brian and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe.

Government Ministers have now entered St Patrick’s Hall at Dublin Castle and are about to take their seats, joined by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy. Former presidents Mary MacAleese and Mary Robinson have also entered the hall alongside former taoisigh Leo Varadkar, Brian Cowen and Bertie Ahern.

Outgoing president Michael D Higgins has also entered the hall, receiving a round of applause from those gathered.

President-elect Catherine Connolly has now arrived at Dublin Castle alongside her husband Brian McEnery. Dressed in purple, Ms Connolly was greeted by Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary have also arrived at Dublin Castle. Tánaiste Simon Harris and his wife Caoimhe Wade arrived moments earlier.

Members of the Council of State who were appointed by President Higgins during his term are arriving in the hall, including human rights and Traveller rights campaigner Sindy Joyce and disability rights activist Sinéad Burke.

Members of the judiciary and Catherine Connolly’s own family are also here. Most guests are now seated ahead of the ceremony starting shortly.

The wife of outgoing President Higgins, Sabina Higgins, is greeting political leaders, Ellen Coyne reports. Ivana Bacik gets a warm hug. Ms Bacik and Ms McDonald are admiring Ms Higgins’s silver brocade jacket. There’s also a huge hug for her daughter and current Senator Alice Mary Higgins.

Left-wing unity continues with People Before Profit, Sinn Féin, Labour, Independent left-wing and Social Democrat TDs all sitting in a mix together in the hall rather than in their party groupings, Ellen Coyne reports.

Left-wing leaders that backed Catherine Connolly are in the front row – Holly Cairns, Ivana Bacik, Roderic O’Gorman and Mary Lou McDonald are all seated together.

Richard Boyd Barrett is also sitting among the other left wing leaders in a very cool leather jacket. He was embraced by Ms McDonald who welcomed him back following his cancer treatment.

Ulster Unionist says it is appropriate he attends Connolly inauguration

Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken has said it is appropriate that he attends the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as the new Irish president.

Mr Aiken will be the only elected unionist politician from Northern Ireland attending Tuesday’s ceremony in Dublin Castle.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and DUP leader Gavin Robinson were invited but unable to attend due to Remembrance Day commitments.

Mr Aiken, a former UUP leader, said: “I’ll be attending events in Dublin today to mark the inauguration of the new Irish president.

“As our closest neighbour it’s appropriate to show the Ulster Unionist Party approach to improving north/south and east/west relations.”

The MLA said the event would be a good opportunity to “foster all-island” relations.

He added: “I’ve regularly attended events in the Republic of Ireland and will continue to do so, reflecting our party’s belief in respectful engagement and constructive dialogue.

“The Irish president is the head of state of a democratic nation, and we will pay due respect to both the office and the individual, just as we would to the president of the United States, Ukraine or any other democratic leader.

“As a veteran, I will be wearing my poppy with pride and look forward to meeting fellow veterans while in Dublin.

“I will continue to represent the unionist perspective with clarity and conviction.”

Members of the Oireachtas are the first guests arriving in the hall now, Ellen Coyne and Marie O’Halloran report. Fianna Fáil TDs Sean Fleming and John Lahart are conscientiously brushing dust off their jackets in order to look their best.

Members of the judiciary including Supreme Court judges Gerard Hogan and Séamus Woulfe have arrived at Dublin Castle followed by TDs and Senators including Labour leader Ivana Bacik and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns.

Earlier, People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett arrived as did Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy and Seanad leader Mark Daly.

Former president Mary Robinson and her husband Nick have also just arrived by car.

They were followed on foot by former taoisigh Leo Varadkar and Bertie Ahern, who walked into the State apartments together.

Both declined to talk to the media though smiled and Mr Ahern waved.

Former taoiseach Brian Cowen has also arrived.

Former president Mary McAleese, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, are among those who have arrived at Dublin Castle this morning.

One of the first arrivals at Dublin Castle is Kevin O’Donoghue, next door neighbour of Brian McEnery (Catherine Connolly’s husband) when they grew up in Ennis, Co Clare.

Marie O’Halloran reports that he said “we’re really looking forward to celebrating and being involved in a bit of history”.

Mr Donoghue said Mr McEnery is a bee keeper and Áras an Uachtaráin has some 40 hives.

He was looking forward to “just seeing people and the excitement of the whole thing. It’s a privilege to be here”.

“And we’re here to acknowledge Catherine. I know her for 40-odd years, a woman of principle and we’re in safe hands”.

Under the Constitution, a new president enters office in the presence of the TDs, Senators, judges of the Supreme Court, of the Court of Appeal and of the High Court, political correspondent Ellen Coyne reports.

As well as the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers, there will be representatives from Northern Ireland including Michelle O’Neill. MEPs, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organisations will also be at the inauguration today.

Church leaders are also arriving here as are Ms Connolly’s family, friends and supporters.

Michael D Higgins’s term as president expired at midnight last night. Catherine Connolly doesn’t take office for a few hours yet. So who is president now?

Political editor Pat Leahy writes: Nobody is. The powers and functions of the office are now – for a few hours – the responsibility of the Presidential Commission, which is made up of the Chief Justice, the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.

In the case of any of their absences, their deputies will fill in – the deputy for the Chief Justice being in this instance the President of the Court of Appeal. The commission can act on the say of two of its members.

The Constitution specifies that the commission can act in the absence or temporary incapacity of the president, or if he or she is removed from office, has died, has resigned – or if the office is vacant – as it currently is, at least until about a quarter to one or so.

An emergency requiring the President to perform her duties seems unlikely in the next few hours, though.

The first of the president-elect’s personal guests will begin arriving at Dublin Castle from 10.25am this morning, Marie O’Halloran reports.

Journalists, photographers, videographers, TV and radio presenters and camera crews from across the world have been gathering in preparation for the inauguration of Ireland’s 10th President.

The Government Information Service said there is “huge international interest” in the inauguration of Catherine Connolly with media representation from across the world monitoring the event.

Security is very tight with scanners and multiple checks of cameras and computers.

Kevin Rafter recently ranked all of the Irish presidents to date. His article can be read here.

Elsewhere, Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina were greeted by cheers and gifted roses as they left Áras an Uachtaráin on Monday night, with his 14 years as president coming to an end.

A guard of honour was formed outside the gates of the president’s residence in the Phoenix Park, despite the biting cold, by the members of the Sanctuary Runners, who wanted to show their appreciation for his support.

Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary writes that inauguration speeches can set the tone for a president’s time in office and what you should watch out for in Catherine Connolly’s first speech.

Her piece can be read here.

Good morning. Catherine Connolly will give her first speech as the 10th President of Ireland today when she is sworn into office in St Patrick’s Hall at Dublin Castle before being brought by motorcade to Áras an Uachtaráin.

The inauguration ceremony is scheduled to begin from about 10.30am, with the Chief Justice set to present the Presidential Seal to Ms Connolly shortly after 12.40pm, followed by her speech.

Follow irishtimes.com for updates throughout the day.