Ireland's New President Takes Office on Day of Pomp and Celebration
The newly inaugurated president has vowed to reshape Ireland into a “nation that lives up to its ideals” by championing inclusion, the Gaelic tongue, and the legacy of decolonisation.
In her inauguration address, the president presented a progressive vision contrasting with the mainstream political consensus.
“We were led to believe that it was too great a leap, that our ideas were too far out – contrary to the prevailing narrative,” she stated, pointing to her landslide victory.
“In shared conversations, however, it became clear that the dominant narrative did not reflect people’s values and concerns. Time and time again, people spoke of how it served to silence, to other, to categorise, to exclude and to hinder independent thought.”
On a day marked by pomp at Dublin Castle, the 68-year-old former barrister declared that as Ireland’s new head of state, she would ensure “all voices” were heard and would advance environmental measures, acceptance, and a resurgence of Irish culture.
“Voters have made their choice and have given their president a powerful mandate to voice shared aspirations for a new republic, a republic worthy of its name where each person matters and diversity is cherished, where eco-friendly policies are swiftly enacted, and where a home is a fundamental human right.”
Connolly’s election shocked the political establishment. The non-aligned progressive candidate united opposition leftwing parties, mobilised the youth, and trounced the ruling party’s candidate by securing a substantial majority.
Though the role is primarily symbolic, the outgoing president had stretched the constraints, turning it into a platform for issues—a practice the new president will likely uphold.
In a venue filled with government figures, diplomats, and distinguished guests, the president lamented “the acceptance of conflict and atrocities.”
Commending Ireland’s neutrality—a possible point of disagreement with the government—she asserted: “Our experience of colonisation and struggle against historic hardships gives us a deep empathy of loss, famine, and war and a mandate for Ireland to lead.”
The president additionally praised the Good Friday agreement and cited article 3 of Ireland’s constitution that supports national unity with agreement. One major group declined to send a representative but said no snub was intended.
Switching to Irish, Connolly reaffirmed a pledge to prioritise the language in the presidential office and residence. “Gaelic will not be whispered in the residence, it will have first place as a working language.”
No country can voice its aspirations if the native language spoken by ancestors was extinguished, she said. “It has been put in second place without due honour or acknowledgement. The hearts of our people were quenched when they were made to stop using their mother tongue. It’s a language that conveys emotion and sentiment with each phrase.”
A artillery tribute was fired as the new president received the seal of office.
