[with 15 pictures]
By Lili Lonergan
ireland-live.ie
Outgoing president Michael D Higgins bid a bittersweet farewell to the Áras on Monday
Catherine Connolly has been inaugurated as Ireland‘s 10th president on Wednesday as she said she will ensure “all voices are represented, heard and valued”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, former presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, and outgoing president Micheal D Higgins, who received a warm round of applause as he arrived in the hall for the ceremony, were among those attending the ceremony in St Patrick’s Hall at Dublin Castle.
The independent TD from Galway, who is a former psychologist and barrister, repeated in Irish the Declaration of Office – which was read to her by Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell.
Ms Connolly then signed the declaration and was officially declared president.
A 21-gun salute was fired from Collins Barracks as Ms Connolly was handed the Seal of Office.
In her first address as president, Ms Connolly said said she will ensure “all voices are represented, heard and valued,” and that she stood in front of 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 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.
” …
To read more of the story, and see the 15 pictures:
https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/national-news/1940979/pictures-humbly-and-proudly-catherine-connolly-inaugurated-as-ireland-s-10th-president.html?utm_source=Newsletter%20Ireland%20Live&utm_medium=Newsletter%20Email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=PICTURES:%20%27Humbly%20and%20proudly%27%20-%20Catherine%20Connolly%20inaugurated%20as%20Ireland%27s%2010th%20president
[Click on each picture to see the next one]:
