CATHERINE CONNOLLY HAS been inaugurated as the tenth President of Ireland.

The inauguration was held in Dublin Castle and after hosting a lunch at Áras an Uachtaráin, President Connolly will return to Dublin Castle later this evening for a State Reception.

As President Connolly heads for the Áras, we take a look back at her inauguration. 

While the DUP deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly, was missing, first minister and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill was in attendance.

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald (left) and Michelle O'Neill arriving at Dublin Castle for the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as Ireland's 10th president. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Many former Taoisigh were also in attendance, including Fine Gael’s Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil’s Bertie Ahern. 

Former Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Leo Varadakar with former Fianna Fail leader and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern Eamonn Farrell Eamonn Farrell

The former presidents also attended the ceremony in Dublin Castle.

After leaving Áras an Uachtaráin for the final time last night, Michael D Higgins arrived with his wife Sabina. 

Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins arrive at Dublin Castle Government Information Service. Government Information Service.

Higgins succeeded Mary McAleese as president, and she attended with her husband Martin. 

Former president Mary McAleese and her husband Martin McAleese arriving at Dublin Castle Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Ireland’s first female president Mary Robinson meanwhile arrived with her husband Nicholas. 

Former president Mary Robinson and her husband Nicholas arriving at Dublin Castle Government Information Service Government Information Service

And as is custom, President Catherine Connolly was greeted at Dublin Castle by the Tánaiste and most senior minister, Simon Harris and Paschal Donohoe respectively. 

Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe greeting President Catherine Connolly ahead of her inauguration Government Information Service Government Information Service

During the ceremony, President Connolly was formally sworn into office by the Chief Justice of Ireland, Donal O’Donnell, and presented with the Seal of the President of Ireland.

President Catherine Connolly receives the presidential seal from Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

It’s a metal disk about six inches in diameter and here is an image of the Chief Justice presenting President Connolly with the seal.

And here’s footage of the moment President Connolly was sworn in.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin then delivered a speech in which he praised the new president for her “record of outstanding public service” and added that he has “no doubt that President Connolly will serve our country well”. 

Martin also acknowledged the “outstanding contribution of Michael D. Higgins who, as President, has brought distinction on our country”. 

He added that Ireland owes “both a tremendous debt of gratitude”.

President Catherine Connolly shakes hands with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in St Patrick's Hall for the Presidential inauguration RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

It was then time for President Connolly to deliver her first speech as Uachtaráin.

She started off in Irish, expressing her gratitude to the guests in attendance, including members of her family and those who travelled from afar to be at the ceremony, before switching to English.

“I stand before you humbly and proudly as the tenth president of this beautiful country,” she said.

“The people have spoken and have given their president a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a new republic.”

During her speech, President Connolly touched on a wide range of issues, including housing, migration, and a united Ireland. She then switched back to Irish again to discuss the language and its revival, quoting the seanfhocal: “Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam.”

After Connolly concluded her speech, which lasted just over ten minutes, the ceremony closed with the national anthem.

And sin é, Connolly will now make her way to the Áras. pic.twitter.com/RAgta5zYAe

— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) November 11, 2025

President Connolly then left St Patrick’s Hall and was led out to the Upper Courtyard as the Air Corps flew overhead.

The President of Ireland Catherine Connolly emerges from Dublin Castle to the national anthem and an Air Corps flyover pic.twitter.com/4JWZxQuadP

— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) November 11, 2025

She then inspected the Guard of Honour, joined by Captain Patrick Wilson.

Captain Patrick Wilson inviting President Caterine Connolly to conduct the inspection of the Guard of Honour in Dublin Castle. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

President Connolly also greeted a number of local pupils from Francis Street primary school, located near Dublin Castle in The Liberties.

The schoolchildren described the day as “very exciting”.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio ahead of the inauguration, one boy, AJ, shared that he had brought a football along to the ceremony.

“I support Liverpool, and I saw the Connolly video where she was playing football, and she was doing volleys and playing basketball,” AJ said.

“So I asked my teacher, can I bring a football? They said yes, so I brought my football with me today, and I’m going to ask her how many keepie-uppies she can do.”

President Catherine Connolly greeting schoolchildren from Francis Street School Alamy Alamy

President Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery then left Dublin Castle for their new home, Áras an Uachtaráin. 

And with thats she’s off to Áras an Uachtaráin pic.twitter.com/KaxG9pbafA

— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) November 11, 2025

She’s scheduled to attend a formal lunch at her new residence this afternoon, and will later return to Dublin Castle this evening for a State reception dinner.

President Connolly was joined this afternoon in the Áras by the former presidents.

President Catherine Connolly with former Presidents, from left Mary Mc Aleese, Michael D.Higgins and Mary Robinson during reception before lunch hosted by President Connolly. TONY MAXWELL TONY MAXWELL