Ireland's New President Sworn In on Celebratory Occasion and Celebration

Catherine Connolly has pledged to transform Ireland into a “nation that lives up to its ideals” by championing inclusion, the Irish language, and the history of independence.

In her inauguration address, the president outlined a leftwing alternative contrasting with the centre-right orthodoxy.

“We were led to believe that it was an impossible step, that our ideas were too radical – at odds with the prevailing narrative,” she stated, pointing to her landslide victory.

“In shared conversations, however, it became clear that the mainstream message did not reflect people’s hopes and fears. Time and time again, people spoke of how it served to silence, to marginalise, to label, to exclude and to hinder independent thought.”

On a day marked by pomp at Dublin Castle, the 68-year-old former barrister declared that as Ireland’s 10th president, she would amplify diverse perspectives and would promote environmental measures, acceptance, and a Gaelic revival.

“The people have spoken and have given their president a powerful mandate to voice shared aspirations for a new republic, a republic true to its principles where everyone is valued and differences are celebrated, where sustainable solutions are urgently implemented, and where a home is a fundamental human right.”

The presidential race outcome shocked the political establishment. The non-aligned progressive candidate brought together progressive factions, mobilised the youth, and defeated the ruling party’s candidate by winning 64% of the vote.

Though the presidency is a largely ceremonial post, the outgoing president had stretched the constraints, turning it into a voice for causes—a tradition Connolly is expected to continue.

In a ballroom packed with government figures, ambassadors, and distinguished guests, the president expressed regret over “the acceptance of conflict and genocide.”

Commending Ireland’s neutrality—a possible point of disagreement with the government—she asserted: “Our experience of colonisation and struggle against historic hardships gives us a deep empathy of loss, famine, and conflict and a call for national leadership.”

Connolly also hailed the Good Friday agreement and cited constitutional provisions that supports national unity with consent. One major group did not attend but said no snub was intended.

Speaking in Gaelic, she reaffirmed a pledge to elevate Irish in the presidential office and residence. “Irish will not be spoken in a low voice in the residence, it will have first place as a language of business.”

No nation can express its desires if the indigenous tongue spoken by ancestors was lost, she said. “It has been relegated without due honour or recognition. The hearts of our people were dampened when they were prevented from speaking their own language. It’s a language that conveys emotion and sentiment with each phrase.”

A 21-gun salute was fired as the new president was formally invested.