Catherine Connolly Takes Office as Ireland's Tenth President

Catherine Connolly has said she will make sure all voices are nurtured and heard during her presidency.

Speaking at Dublin Castle where she was inaugurated as the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland she said the country has been undergoing 'seismic changes' since the end of the Cold War.

She said she was looking forward to her first visit to Northern Ireland as president and that she would foster an inclusive dialogue across the island.

Connolly was elected in a landslide vote at the end of October - defeating Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys.

The 68-year-old takes over the role from Michael D Higgins, whose 14-year term ended at midnight.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by politicians, judges, and other guests.

'We can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement model of peaceful resolution of conflict,' she said.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulated Connolly, calling it a 'happy and momentous' day for her and her family.

The Republic of Ireland's president is the country's head of state, albeit a non-executive role.

On Tuesday morning, she travelled from Farmleigh at Phoenix Park to Dublin Castle with her husband, Brian McEnery, in a ceremonial motorcade.

She was sworn into office in St Patrick's Hall by the chief justice, and a service of prayer and reflection was held.

Connolly was presented with the Presidential Seal and delivered a speech at the ceremony.

As well as the Taoiseach, various ministers and judges attended the inauguration, including Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly did not attend due to prior commitments in Belfast for Remembrance Day.

Little-Pengelly expressed her well wishes and hopes to connect with Connolly soon.

In absence of Little-Pengelly, no representative from DUP attended, which the party leader clarified was not a 'snub.'

Ulster Unionist Party MLA Steve Aiken was the only unionist present at the event.

After the inauguration ceremony, Connolly is set to travel to Áras an Uachtaráin, the president's official residence, for a state reception later in the evening.

Connolly has served as a TD since 2016 and her election will trigger a by-election in Galway West. She has a background as a barrister and psychologist.