Snappy ceremony ushers in new era as Catherine Connolly sworn in as 10th President of Ireland

CATHERINE CONNOLLY HAS been sworn in as Ireland’s tenth president in a snappy ceremony in Dublin Castle this afternoon. 

As President Connolly sat to sign the Declaration of Office, trumpeters sounded a fanfare to indicate that she had entered office – and outside, the Presidential flag was raised as a 21-gun artillery salute sounded in Collins Barracks.

St Patrick’s Hall at Dublin Castle was filled with dignitaries, politicians, and guests of the new Uachtarán. Media were relegated to the balcony of the hall.

Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery arrived shortly before noon, but arrivals began from 10:25am. Connolly entered the hall accompanied by Tánaiste Simon Harris, as is protocol, and took her seat at the fore of the room amongst the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, members of Cabinet, and former Taoisigh and heads of state.

Michael D Higgins sat to Connolly’s left throughout the ceremony, and at its conclusion, lingered to chat to members of the new president’s family.

The Ceremony

After arrivals, everyone took their seats in the hall – several backbench Fianna Fáil TDs arrived early and landed aisle seats. Connolly’s sons and their partners were escorted by the Áras’s head of protocol to their seats at the front of the hall.

Connolly was met by Harris and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe at the entrance to the State Apartments, and entered to music.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin rose and invited the 11 officiants, representing the various Christian churches, the Jewish and Islamic faiths, as well as the Humanist Association of Ireland, to say a brief blessing during the Service of Prayer and Reflection.

Musical interludes by Síle Denvir broke up the blessings. 

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Martin then requested the Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell to administer the Declaration of Office to Connolly. O’Donnell read the Declaration aloud in Irish as Connolly repeated it after him. She sat to sign it.

With her signature, she had entered office – trumpets sounded and guns went off outside. The Chief Justice presented the Presidential Seal to Connolly and they shook hands.

Applause rang out in the hall and Martin rose once more to deliver a short speech where he said he looked forward to working with Connolly throughout her time in office.

In his remarks, he said, “In the context of a record of outstanding public service, I have no doubt that President Connolly will serve our country well.”

He noted Ireland’s “significant role” on the global stage, as the state will host the EU presidency in the second half of 2026. Martin thanked Michael D and Sabina Higgins for their contributions to the office over the past 14 years.

He invited Connolly to address the assembly. In a relatively short speech spanning just over 10 minutes (Higgins’s speech at his 2018 inauguration clocked in at around 20), Connolly addressed the “challenges of our times”.

“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.”

She told the assembly that it was “significant” that today is Remembrance Day: “it gives us the opportunity to pause and to reflect on the horrors of war where, unfortunately, we have all become witnesses to ongoing war and genocide.”

Housing, immigration, and a united Ireland were other themes the President touched on. She concluded with a seanfhocal: “Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam”.

The National Anthem was performed and Connolly and the Ceremonial Party left the Hall. Outside, the guard of honour rendered the presidential salute and Connolly inspected the guard of honour at the invitation of the officer in charge. 

The Air Corps flew overhead and Connolly and her husband departed for Áras an Uachtaraín.

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