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Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Catherine Connolly is to be Ireland's 10th President following the announcement of her election on Saturday evening.© RollingNews.ie Irish in the Áras Irish will be working language in Áras an Uachtaráin during Catherine Connolly's term Catherine Connolly outlined her ideas relating to Irish and the Presidency in a response to Conradh na Gaeilge’s GaelVóta questionnaire. 9.31am, 26 Oct 2025 Share options (Foireann Gaeltachta The Journal a chuir an scéal seo ar fáil. Tá leagan as Gaeilge anseo.) NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT Catherine Connolly has promised that Irish will be the working language in Áras an Uachtaráin during her term as Ireland’s first citizen. Responding to a ‘Gaelvóta’ questionnaire sent by Conradh na Gaeilge to candidates in advance of election day, Connolly, who was elected as the tenth President of Ireland with the highest number of votes in the history of the Presidential election on Saturday evening, had this to say. Irish will be the working language of the Áras if I am President. The doors of the Áras will be open and I will warmly welcome the people of the Gaeltacht and the Irish language. “I will give them all the help and support that I am allowed, as President.” The answer to the question, what would she do if elected President to promote the Irish language and the Gaeltacht, was provided in the questionnaire responses which were published this week. Advertisement She began her first speech with a substantial section as Gaeilge. after the election results were announced and she was officially announced as the country’s next President. She also referred to An Ghaeilge during the English portion of her speech. The Journal / YouTube In her opening remarks she thanked everyone present at the event as well as all those who supported her, mainly the party leaders who supported her, and who gave her “full support”. She also thanked other independent politicians, TDs and Senators who supported her as well as those who “voted for me and those who did not vote for me”. “I will be the President for everyone in the country, everyone. She also paid tribute to her opponent, Heather Humphreys, telling her that it took ‘confidence and courage to put yourself in front of the people of the country. “Heather did that and congratulations. And I look forward to a gin and elderflower with you soon. “We agreed when we were debating on RTÉ that we would have gin and elderflower together as quickly as possible. We have achieved something together.” The newly elected President indicated that today is “the time of decision”. “I promised during the campaign that I would go back to every seat and I will fulfill that promise. Related Reads Connolly well ahead according to results from Gaeltacht counties 'It's important the President has Irish from a legal standpoint and as they are First Citizen' Presidential candidates commit to Irish language projects if elected to the Áras “This is a movement, I am only a symbol of this movement and you will continue that movement to shape a new vision for the country and a new Republic for the sake of the ordinary people of the country. “We now have the challenge, with the parties and those who are not affiliated with any party, to rise to the challenge and shape a new republic.” She then gave her speech in English and this was followed by speeches from Heather Humphreys, who used some Irish in her speech, as well as brief addresses from Tánaiste Simon Harris and An Taoiseach Mícheál Martin. Catherine Connolly will be solemnly inaugurated as President on Tuesday, 11 November. 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Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion an ghaeilge Áras An Uachtaráin Catherine Connolly conradh na gaeilge Irish in the Áras News in 60 seconds The Daily Poll Did you expect Catherine Connolly to win the election? 10 mins ago What part of the country gave the most votes to Jim Gavin? 13 mins ago Man charged in connection with alleged assaults on two people canvassing with Mary Lou McDonald 23 mins ago On the feed Connolly's campaign won in the only arena that matters: the internet Eimer McAuley 39 mins ago Two men arrested by French police over brazen Louvre heist 42 mins ago PodcastThe Candidate A landslide for Connolly - but the story of this election is protest Manhunt stood down in UK after mistakenly released sex offender caught As it happened Catherine Connolly will be the 10th President of Ireland How did your constituency vote? Here are the full results of the presidential election Marek Puska Investigation launched as brother of Jozef Puska attacked in Mountjoy Prison overnight new woman in the áras Connolly pledges to 'shape a new republic' as she's elected president with largest vote ever more from us Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. 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