Catherine Connolly Sworn In on Celebratory Occasion and Festivities
The newly inaugurated president has pledged to transform Ireland into a “republic worthy of its name” by championing diversity, the Gaelic tongue, and the history of independence.
In her inauguration address, Connolly outlined a leftwing alternative diverging from the mainstream political consensus.
“We were led to believe that it was too great a leap, that our ideas were too far out – at odds with the prevailing narrative,” she remarked, pointing to her landslide victory.
“In shared conversations, however, it became clear that the dominant narrative did not represent people’s hopes and fears. Time and time again, people spoke of how it served to silence, to marginalise, to label, to shut out and to hinder independent thought.”
On a day marked by pomp at the historic venue, the experienced legal professional declared that as Ireland’s new head of state, she would amplify diverse perspectives and would advance climate action, acceptance, and a resurgence of Irish culture.
“The people have spoken and have given their president a powerful mandate to voice shared aspirations 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 presidential race outcome shocked the political establishment. The non-aligned progressive candidate united opposition leftwing parties, mobilised the youth, and trounced the ruling party’s candidate by securing a substantial majority.
Though the role is primarily symbolic, the previous officeholder had expanded its influence, turning it into a platform for issues—a practice the new president will likely uphold.
In a venue filled with government figures, diplomats, and other dignitaries, the president lamented “the acceptance of conflict and atrocities.”
Praising Ireland’s neutrality—a potential source of friction with the government—she asserted: “Our history under foreign rule and struggle against historic hardships gives us a deep empathy of dispossession, hunger, and war and a call for national leadership.”
Connolly also hailed the peace accord and referenced constitutional provisions that espouses a united Ireland with agreement. One political party did not attend but clarified it was not a deliberate omission.
Switching to Irish, she repeated a commitment to prioritise the language in the official home. “Irish will not be spoken in a low voice in the Áras, it will have first place as a working language.”
No country can express its desires if the indigenous tongue spoken by ancestors was extinguished, she commented. “It has been put in second place without due honour or recognition. The hearts of our people were dampened when they were made to stop using their own language. It’s a language that conveys emotion and sentiment with each phrase.”
A artillery tribute was fired as the head of state received the seal of office.
