President Catherine Connolly delivers inaugural speech: "I have never believed more in the spirit of this country"

President Catherine Connolly has delivered her inaugural speech at a ceremony in Dublin Castle today.

The new President began her speech in Irish, thanking her family members and various politicians in attendance.

"The people have spoken and have given their President a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a new Republic," President Connolly said.

"A Republic worthy of its name where everyone is valued and diversity is cherished, where sustainable solutions are urgently implemented and where a home is a fundamental human right."

Connolly described the beginnings of her campaign as "a small group of elected representatives and volunteers facing what appeared to be insurmountable challenges."

"We were led to believe that it was too great a leap, that our ideas were too far out, too left, at odds with the prevailing narrative," Connolly said.

"In shared conversations all over the country, however, it became evident that the dominant narrative did not reflect or represent people’s values and concerns. Time and time again, people spoke of how it served to silence, to other, to label, to exclude and to stifle critical thinking.

"Along with that however, along with meaningful engagement, we saw the emergence of hope, we saw the emergence of joy, along with the courage and determination of people to use their voices to shape a country that we can be proud of."

Connolly said she will ensure "all voices are represented, heard and valued" as president, and promote "a public discourse that nourishes inclusivity, tolerance and active citizenship."

Connolly described the challenges faced by various former presidents, which she said "reflected the dominant issues of the day."

Connolly went on to say that she is entering office amid "the existential threat of climate change and the threat of ongoing wars, both of course are inextricably linked."

"We cannot turn back the clock nor close our eyes to these realities," Connolly said.

"These are the challenges of our times, and our actions or inaction will determine the world our children and grandchildren will inherit. It is both an individual and a collective challenge and one which obliges us to reflect on the way we live and interact with our world and with each other.

"It is also the responsibility of those entrusted with public office to come together both nationally and internationally to lead and to create the conditions for a sustainable existence on our planet."

Connolly also commented on the significance of the ceremony taking place on Remembrance Day. She said the date offers an opportunity to "reflect on the horrors of war in a world where unfortunately we have all become witnesses to ongoing wars and genocide."

"Given our history, the normalisation of war and genocide has never been and will never be acceptable to us," Connolly said.

A significant portion of her speech was delivered in Irish; promoting the language was a cornerstone issue of her campaign platform.

"Is sibhse, muintir na tíre, cosmhuintir na tíre, a casadh orm agus mé ar fud na tíre a spreag mé, agus a spreag m’fhoireann le linn an fheachtais," Connolly said.

Connolly added, "Sibhse a chuaigh agus a théann i ngleic le heaspaí seirbhísí agus riachtanais gach lá beo, easpaí nár cheart a bheith fós ann i dtír atá chomh sabhair." In English: "You who have faced and continue to face the lack of services and needs every day, lacks that should not exist in such a prosperous country."

"Spreag sibh mé le bhur ndúthracht agus bhur bhfláithiúlacht, ag roinnt bhur scéalta agus taithí liom go fial," Connolly said.

"Is sibhse a thug agus a thugann misneach dom, misneach a bhainfidh mé úsáid as anois agus a thógfaidh mé air agus mé ag obair ar bhur son mar Uachtarán.

"Ar ndóigh, tá tábhacht na teanga chun anam agus spioraid na tíre a thabhairt chun cinn tuigthe agam le blianta fada anois; anam agus spioraid a bhí curtha faoi chois le blianta, bíodh sin d’aon ghnó, de bharr smacht na dtíoránach nó de bharr neamhaird, neamhchúram nó easpa tuisceanaí. Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam, agus is fíor sin, mar nuair atá a teanga múchta, ní féidir leis an tír, nó aon tír, a mianta, a luachanna nó a spioraid a chur in iúl."

Connolly concluded by saying, "the President should be a unifying presence—a steady hand yes, but also a catalyst for change reflecting our desire for a Republic that lives up to its name."

"I will embrace the role of the President with dignity, determination and courage," Connolly said.

Catherine Connolly was today inaugurated as the tenth President of Ireland at a ceremony in Dublin Castle. You can read the President’s inaugural address at https://t.co/B1OodzTXEJ pic.twitter.com/G491tQqRHT

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) November 11, 2025

Reactions have poured in from politicians and organisations across the country following the inauguration ceremony.

In a post on X, First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill said Connolly "is a leader of compassion and courage who will represent everyone who calls this island home, with integrity and sincerity."

"Today marks a day of great hope for our nation as Catherine begins her term as Uachtarán na hÉireann," O'Neill said.

"I look forward to working alongside Catherine in this time of change and massive potential on our island, as we continue our journey towards a fairer, stronger, and united Ireland."

It was a great privilege to represent you all as First Minister at the inauguration of our new President, Catherine Connolly.

Today marks a day of great hope for our nation as Catherine begins her term as Uachtarán na hÉireann.

She is a leader of compassion and courage who will… pic.twitter.com/WOj0MeVHDW

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

Conradh na Gaeilge praised Connolly on X, writing, "Tá muid cinnte go mbeidh an tUachtarán nua mar ambasadóir náisiúnta & idirnáisiúnta ar son na Gaeilge sna blianta atá romhainn."

🇮🇪Guíonn Conradh na Gaeilge gach rath ar Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly, inniu, ar lá a hinsealbhaithe & gach lá le linn a hUachtaránachta.

Tá muid cinnte go mbeidh an tUachtarán nua mar ambasadóir náisiúnta & idirnáisiúnta ar son na Gaeilge sna blianta atá romhainn. pic.twitter.com/FfrfsURHwA

— Conradh na Gaeilge ⭕️ (@CnaG) November 11, 2025

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald posted a photo with Connolly on X and wrote she will be a "brilliant" President.

"Táim an-bhródúil as an mbean iontach seo a bheith againn mar Uachtarán," McDonald said.

💚Táim an-bhródúil as an mbean iontach seo a bheith againn mar Uachtarán. Catherine Connolly will be a brilliant President of Ireland. pic.twitter.com/bHar5WGP4k

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

Tánaiste Simon Harris took to X to "sincerely congratulate" the tenth President, adding, "Catherine Connolly will be a President for all of Ireland."

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) posted a photo of party leader Claire Hanna MP at the ceremony.

"The Presidency is more than a symbol," SDLP wrote.

"It has the power to convene, to heal and to bring people together."

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP attended the inauguration of Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly at Dublin Castle today.

The Presidency is more than a symbol. It has the power to convene, to heal and to bring people together. pic.twitter.com/2JXa0xZiZY

— The SDLP (@SDLPlive) November 11, 2025