Timeline: How the presidential inauguration will unfold

Michael D Higgins left Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday for the final time as President of Ireland.

Attention has turned to the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as the tenth Uachtarán na hÉireann.

Here's how the day will unfold.

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle is where the presidential inauguration is taking place, with tight security around the entire complex from early this morning.

President-elect Catherine Connolly stayed in Farmleigh last night.

Like her predecessors before her, she was driven with an escort to Dublin Castle and into the cobbled Upper Yard for her inauguration.

The ceremony has been taking place in the sumptuous St Patrick's Hall, where every president has been inaugurated since 1938.

Ahead of her arrival, invited guests from around Ireland were seated in the hall.

Among them is the Taoiseach, Tanáiste, members of the Government and Opposition, as well as members of the judiciary and guests representing a cross section of Irish society.

When she arrived, Ms Connolly was escorted in a procession into the room.

Signature and Seal of Office

Following some musical performances, interspersed with some prayers and reflections, the inauguration proper got under way.

What happens is laid out clearly in Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Irish Constitution, in Article 12.8.

"The President shall enter upon his office by taking and subscribing publicly, in the presence of members of both Houses of the Oireachtas, of Judges of the Supreme Court, of the Court of Appeal and of the High Court, and other public personages, the following declaration:

"I láthair Dia na nUilechumhacht, táimse, Catherine Connolly, á ghealladh agus á dhearbhú go sollúnta is go fírinneach bheith i mo thaca agus i mo dhídin do Bhunreacht na hÉireann, agus a dlíthe a chaomhnú, mo dhualgais a chomhlíonadh go dílis coinsiasach de réir an Bhunreachta is an dlí, agus mo lándícheall a dhéanamh ar son leasa is fónaimh mhuintir na hÉireann. Dia do mo stiúradh agus do mo chumhdach."

The declaration was read by Ireland’s Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell and repeated by Ms Connolly.

Ms Connolly elected to read the declaration in Irish.

She then signed the declaration and was officially declared President of Ireland.

As the Chief Justice handed her the Seal of Office, a 21-gun salute was fired from a gun battery in Collins Barracks, 2km away.

Guard of Honour

Once inaugurated, Ms Connolly made a short address to the assembled guests.

She exited St Patrick's Hall back into the Upper Courtyard, where she has been met with a guard of honour from the Defence Forces, consisting of 83 personnel from the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.

As she is now the new Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces she is carrying out an inspection of the Guard of Honour.

Around the same time, there was a flypast of four PC9 Air Corps aircraft.

Áras an Uachtaráin

Once the formalities in Dublin Castle have concluded, the new president and her husband Brian McEnery, will then travel by car to Áras an Uachtaráin, her official residence for the duration of her presidency.

On this first official journey as Uachtarán na hÉireann, she will be accompanied by motorcyclists from the 2nd Cavalry Squadron.

Later in the evening, she will return to Dublin Castle for a State reception in her honour.

Where to follow live

Live coverage of the inauguration ceremony is being broadcast on RTÉ One television and the News Channel, with ISL.

An extended News at One on RTÉ Radio 1 began at 11.45am.

There is also full coverage on RTÉ online.