Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated as Ireland's 10th president on Tuesday at Dublin Castle, marking the start of a seven-year term focused on peace, neutrality and reviving the Irish language in public life.
The 68-year-old independent politician won the October 24 election with 64% of the vote, defeating centrist rivals after opposition parties united behind her candidacy. She takes over from Michael D. Higgins, whose popular 14-year tenure significantly expanded the political role of the presidency.
Connolly pledged to be a president who "listens and reflects and who speaks when it's necessary." The former barrister and psychologist emphasized her commitment to making Irish the working language of the presidential office.
Irish Language Revival
Connolly told Raidió na Gaeltachta: «I will do my best to bring Irish in from the margins and use it.» Her fluency in Irish contrasted sharply with her Fine Gael rival Heather Humphreys during the campaign.
Language activists see her presidency as a potential turning point. Conchúr Ó Muadaigh, spokesperson for Conradh na Gaeilge, said: «She has brought the language to the centre of national debate. She doesn't treat it as a cultural afterthought or decoration.»
While less than 2% of Ireland's population speaks Irish daily, roughly 40% can speak it. Irish-only schools have grown from fewer than 20 in the 1970s to more than 200 today.
Election Aftermath
The turbulent campaign saw Fianna Fail candidate Jim Gavin withdraw after a 16-year-old dispute with an ex-tenant emerged. The election produced 213,738 invalid ballots, a tenfold increase from 2018, suggesting potential voter dissatisfaction.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill will attend Tuesday's inauguration ceremony at St Patrick's Hall. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly confirmed she would not attend due to a clash with Remembrance Day events.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
