Catherine Connolly to be inaugurated as tenth President of Ireland today

Catherine Connolly is set to be inaugurated as the tenth President of Ireland today, November 11, at a ceremony at St Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle.

Connolly and her family arrived at Dublin Castle shortly before noon, where they were greeted by Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe.

Upon her arrival, music was provided by Eugene Lambe on the uilleann pipes. Lambe, one of Ireland’s most accomplished pipers, is from Kinvara in Co. Galway; the president-elect's home county.

Sean-nós singer and harpist Síle Denvir also performed at St Patrick's Hall. Denvir is also from Co. Galway, hailing from Connemara.

A beautiful sean nos rendition of Ár nAthair by Síle Denvir. Ms Denvir, a native Irish speaker, hails from Connemara in President elect Connolly's home county of Galway. Ms Denvir will also perform as a harpist today

[image or embed]

— Ellen Coyne (@ellenmcoyne.bsky.social) November 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM

In accordance with inauguration tradition, Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell will read the presidential declaration aloud in Irish. Connolly will then repeat the text aloud and sign the declaration, thus officially becoming President.

Connolly will deliver a speech before the ceremony ends with the national anthem, performed by the Army No. 1 Band.

The Army No. 1 Band has played at every Irish presidential inauguration, all the way back to Douglas Hyde in 1938.

Reactions have poured in as the ceremony progressed.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin delivered a speech congratulating Connolly at the ceremony and posted a clip on X.

"In the context of a record of outstanding public service, I have no doubt that President Connolly will serve our country well," Martin said.

"As Taoiseach, I look forward to working with President Connolly in the time ahead as Ireland continues to play a significant role on the global stage."

It is a great honour for me to congratulate President Catherine Connolly - on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland - on entering upon her office as President of Ireland. pic.twitter.com/YAwDmA2dl6

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 11, 2025

In a post on X, Harris wished Connolly and her family "every joy and good health, resilience and strength."

Today our nation inaugurates our tenth President. I wish Catherine Connolly and her family every joy and good health, resilience and strength.

Gach dea-ghuí, a Uachtaráin Connolly

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) November 11, 2025

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald expressed "comhghairdeas ó chroí" (English: heartfelt congratulations) to Connolly and said she is "delighted and honoured" to be present at Dublin Castle.

"Our new President will serve all the people of Ireland with dignity, intelligence, warmth and kindness," McDonald said.

"During her presidency we can complete our journey to full nationhood, a united Ireland, and a new republic for the people. With great optimism, I wish President Connolly the very best."

🇮🇪 Comhghairdeas ó chroí Catherine Connolly. Delighted and honoured to be here at the inauguration of Uachtarán na hÉireann.

Our new President will serve all the people of Ireland with dignity, intelligence, warmth and kindness. During her presidency we can complete our journey… pic.twitter.com/v8KjBzFJBm

— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) November 11, 2025

First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill said the inauguration is "a day of great hope for our nation" in a post on X

"Catherine is a leader of vision, compassion, and integrity, and I’ve no doubt she will be a President for every community across Ireland," O'Neill said.

"I’m looking forward to the day ahead, as we mark more positive change on our island."

This is a day of great hope for our nation, with the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as Uachtarán na hÉireann.

It’s a real privilege to attend and represent you all as your First Minister.

Catherine is a leader of vision, compassion, and integrity, and I’ve no doubt she will…

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) November 11, 2025

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy posted a photo from the ceremony on X, describing Connolly as "a President for peace, justice and equality."

"Well done to everyone in the movement which made this happen," Murphy said.

Our new President, Catherine Connolly.

A President for peace, justice and equality.

Well done to everyone in the movement which made this happen. pic.twitter.com/RbI08Kcsa5

— Paul Murphy 🇵🇸 (@paulmurphy_TD) November 11, 2025

In a post on X, Former MEP Clare Daly said Connolly's voice is "needed more than ever for Ireland & the world."

"A great day for Ireland, hugely significant for the defence of our neutrality & our history of championing peace & international law," Daly said.

Beir Bua @catherinegalway A great day for Ireland, hugely significant for the defence of our neutrality & our history of championing peace & international law. That voice needed more than ever for Ireland & the world. 🇮🇪☘️💚🇵🇸 https://t.co/bM7TLYtwvA

— Clare Daly (@ClareDalyIRL) November 11, 2025

Last night, Dublin indie post-punk band Croíthe posted a photo with Connolly on Instagram.

"Connolly 🤝 Connolly - getting number 1," read the caption, referring to the surnames of the president-elect and the band's frontman Caodan Connolly.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Croíthe (@croitheband)

In accordance with the Constitution, Connolly's inauguration comes on the day following the expiry of the preceding President's term of office.

Outgoing President Michael D. Higgins thanked the Irish public in a statement as he and his wife Sabina left the Áras an Uachtaráin for the final time last night.

Connolly won the presidential race with 63% of valid first-preference votes after running as an Independent candidate.