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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 Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly.Alamy Dublin Castle Rain did not dampen Connolly's message of hope as she zoned in on war and climate in first speech Connolly spoke of how Ireland’s history of forced immigration and man-made famine gives us a mandate to be leaders for peace. 2.49pm, 11 Nov 2025 Share options IT BEGAN AS a dull, drizzly day in Dublin City, as gardaí lined the streets surrounding Dublin Castle in preparation for the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as the tenth President of Ireland. Despite the rain and heavy traffic in the city, events still managed to proceed largely as scheduled. At approximately 11 am, Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery departed Farmleigh to make their way across to Dublin Castle, where throngs of politicians, judges and dignitaries were spilling into the Castle’s opulent St Patrick’s Hall. As the Army No. 1 Band played a rendition of ‘Danny Boy’ while attendees settled in their seats, there was notably no round of applause. The first of the day came a short while later as outgoing President Michael D Higgins arrived in the hall to take his place up on stage alongside former presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, members of the judiciary and former taoisigh Brian Cowen, Leo Varadkar and Bertie Ahern (Enda Kenny was not in attendance). The first round of applause of the day as Michael D Higgins arrives pic.twitter.com/RuuDBLpjz3— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) November 11, 2025 Behind them sat senior ministers, while the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris also took positions on stage as Connolly arrived. On either side, they were joined by representatives of different faiths in Ireland, who recited prayers and blessings during the ceremony. Connolly was flanked on stage by government figures, members of the judiciary and former presidents and taoisigh.Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie Watching on from the audience were Connolly’s husband and their two sons, Brian and Stephen, along with their extended family. Further down the hall, in a symbol of the unity among the opposition that Connolly has come to represent, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald sat side by side with the other leaders of the opposition. Sabina Higgins greets Holly Cairns, Ivana Bacik and Mary Lou McDonald.Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie After signing the declaration of office, administered by Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell, President Connolly used her first speech as Uachtarán na hÉireann to address the “challenges of our time”, notably war and climate change. Advertisement In a relatively short speech, spanning just 10 minutes, President Connolly pledged to be a president for all and highlighted what she saw as Ireland’s important role as a leader for peace. She spoke of how she had been given a “powerful mandate to articulate the 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.” Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese looked on as Connolly became president.Alamy She drew on the challenges past presidents faced when they took office: For Mary Robinson, the “parameters of geo-politics were shifting” shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, for Mary McAleese, she took office a year before the Good Friday Agreeement when peace was not yet realised on the island, and for Michael D Higgins, he became president “as the global financial crash shook Ireland and the world”. Connolly said that for her, she was taking office at a time when we face the “existential threat of climate change and ongoing wars”. “These are the challenges of our times, and our actions or inaction will determine the world our children and grandchildren will inherit.” She noted the significance of today being Remembrance Day, the day that marks the end of World War 1, and said it gives us the opportunity to “pause and reflect on the horrors of war”. “Given our history, the normalisation of war and genocide has never been and will never be acceptable to us…Ireland is particularly well placed to lead and articulate alternative diplomatic solutions to conflict and war. “Indeed, our experience of colonisation and resistance of a catastrophic man-made famine and forced immigration gives us a lived understanding of dispossession, hunger and war and a mandate for Ireland to lead,” she said, adding that we “can and should” take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement. For her supporters, Connolly’s speech will likely have struck the right chords. It was notable that she did not begin it in Irish, instead she weaved it in towards the end, pledging that it would be the working language of the Áras while she is in office. For her detractors, Connolly concluded her speech with a unifying message, pledging to be a president who reflects the desire for a “republic that lives up to its name”. “I will embrace the role of the President with dignity, determination and courage,” Connolly said before leaving to make her way to her new home at Áras an Uachtaráin. School children from Francis Street primary school were pleased to meet the new president.Alamy As she left Dublin Castle, she was met with a guard of honour from the Defence Forces as she shook hands with school children from Francis Street School who braved the rain to meet the new president. Connolly will now host a private lunch back at the Áras before returning to Dublin Castle this evening for a State reception. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Support The Journal Jane Matthews View 4 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Rain did not dampen Connolly's message of hope as she zoned in on war and climate in first speech”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Rain did not dampen Connolly's message of hope as she zoned in on war and climate in first speech”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... 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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 10th President Catherine Connolly Catherine Connolly inaugeration Dublin Castle News in 60 seconds Inauguration Here is President Catherine Connolly's speech in full 23 mins ago off to the áras Snappy ceremony ushers in new era as Catherine Connolly sworn in as 10th President of Ireland 37 mins ago State alleges four serving gardaí and one retired senior officer 'terminated' road tickets 38 mins ago 'Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam': President Catherine Connolly says she will represent 'all voices' on schedule Connolly's first engagement as president: a visit to a Gaelscoil close to the Áras rising costs 'This will hurt the poorest': Tenants in Dublin City Council housing to protest rent hikes Workplace Relations Commission Pharmacist awarded €86k after colleague said he'd 'be able to see her showering from his house' tracker mortgage scandal 'Utterly inappropriate': Bank of Ireland investigates messages by staff about RTÉ documentary Man (22) who stabbed woman in vagina in misogynistic attack jailed for 9 years 'Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam': President Catherine Connolly says she will represent 'all voices' Trial to begin of four gardaí and retired superintendent for alleged perverting course of justice 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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