Ireland has its new President

CATHERINE Connolly (above) has been inaugurated as the 10th President of Ireland, after winning the presidential election in a landslide.

At her inauguration she vowed to serve all the people of Ireland, as well as to foster cross-border dialogue and help meet the challenge of how people and nations interact with one another across the world.

“I stand before you humbly and proudly as the 10th President of this beautiful country,” she said in her inaugural speech. “The people have spoken and have given their President a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a new Republic. 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.

“As President of Ireland, I will ensure that all voices are represented, heard and valued, and promote a public discourse that nourishes inclusivity, tolerance and active citizenship.”

Having received the support of Sinn Féin, amongst other parties, and being viewed as a ‘United Ireland’ candidate, President Connolly also referred to the changing future of Ireland, a quarter of a century on from the Good Friday Agreement.

“Our experience of colonisation and resistance, of a catastrophic man-made famine and forced emigration gives us a lived understanding of dispossession, hunger and war and a mandate for Ireland to lead,” she said, having made reference to global issues. “We can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement, knowing that this is recognised far and wide and is a model for peaceful resolution of conflict.

“We also know that this journey of peace and reconciliation was the result of meticulous and methodical work over a long period of time, and this work continues to this day.

“I look forward to paying my first official visit to the North and meeting with people from all communities and celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of all who live there. I am particularly conscious of Article 3 of the Constitution, which sets out in detail the firm wish of the Irish people, the Irish nation to have a united Ireland, albeit in the conditions set out very clearly in the Article on consent.

“As President, I will foster an inclusive and open dialogue across the island in a manner that highlights and recognises our similarities and respects our differences.”

She also used her inaugural address to speak to the global diaspora, and praise the way in which Irish communities around the globe keep Irish culture alive.

“I want to acknowledge our large and growing diaspora,” she said. “There is hardly a family on this island that does not have a personal experience of migration. On every continent, our emigrants have put their ingenuity and hard work at the service of new homelands. Yet they have kept their love of Ireland and its culture deep in their hearts.

“I hope that over the next seven years that there will be many opportunities for me

to celebrate with them and share our experiences.”

Having served as President since 2011—in two terms—Michael D Higgins departed Áras an Uachtaráin as a much-loved incumbent, and spoke of his pride at his time in office.

“Serving as President of Ireland was a great privilege and I would like to thank the people of Ireland for the warmth of reception which they gave to both Sabina and myself over the past 14 years,” he said. “How valuable it was to be able to join with them in engaging with the issues, projects and ideas that will help us to achieve the best of our country and the best representation of Ireland and its values abroad—an inclusive citizenship and a creative society in a real Republic.”