On a brisk November morning in Dublin, history was made as Catherine Connolly, a trailblazer from County Galway, was inaugurated as the 10th Uachtarán na hÉireann, or President of Ireland. The ceremony, held at the stately Dublin Castle on November 11, 2025, marked the end of Michael D. Higgins’s remarkable 14-year tenure and the beginning of a new chapter for the Irish presidency. Connolly’s landslide election victory at the end of October, where she secured a record-breaking 63% of the vote, was a testament to the resonance of her message and the breadth of her support across the country (according to BBC and China Daily).
Connolly’s journey to Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the Irish president, is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up in social housing in County Galway as one of fourteen siblings, she faced adversity early on, losing her mother at the age of nine and being raised by her widowed father. As she reflected during her campaign, this upbringing “moulded” her and instilled a deep empathy for the struggles of ordinary people (Politics UK). Her academic path led her to degrees in Clinical Psychology and Law, and she went on to serve Ireland as both a barrister and a clinical psychologist—experience that would later inform her nuanced approach to public policy.
Her political career began in earnest in 1999 when she was elected as a Labour Party representative for Galway City Council. Her tenure as mayor was marked by a fierce advocacy for addressing the Irish housing crisis, which she described as “the defining social crisis of our time.” This issue remained central to her campaign for the presidency and continues to be at the forefront of her policy agenda. In 2016, Connolly was elected as an Independent Teachta Dála (TD) for Galway West, freeing her from party constraints and allowing her to become more radical and outspoken in her views. By 2020, she had made history as the first woman to serve as Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy Speaker) of Dáil Éireann (Politics UK, BBC).
The inauguration ceremony itself was a blend of tradition and symbolism. Connolly traveled from Farmleigh at Phoenix Park to Dublin Castle in a ceremonial motorcade, accompanied by her husband, Brian McEnery. The event drew a broad array of dignitaries, including politicians, judges, former presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald. Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell administered the oath of office in St Patrick’s Hall, after which Connolly signed the Declaration and accepted the presidential seal (BBC, China Daily).
A service of prayer and reflection set a contemplative tone before Connolly delivered her inaugural address. “I stand before you humbly and proudly as the tenth president of this beautiful country. 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,” she declared (Anadolu Agency). She reflected on the grassroots movement that propelled her to victory, acknowledging that “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.” Yet, as Connolly noted, the campaign revealed that “the dominant narrative did not reflect or represent people’s values and concerns.”
Connolly’s speech emphasized nurturing all voices and fostering an inclusive dialogue across the island of Ireland. She spoke of the “seismic changes” the country has experienced since the end of the Cold War and looked forward to her first visit to Northern Ireland as president. “We can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement model of peaceful resolution of conflict,” she said, reiterating her commitment to building bridges and celebrating the island’s rich heritage (BBC, China Daily).
Her policy priorities, as highlighted throughout her campaign, are both ambitious and deeply rooted in social justice. In addition to tackling the housing crisis, Connolly has been a vocal critic of the conflict in Gaza, describing it as “genocide” and reaffirming Ireland’s long-standing solidarity with the Palestinian people (Politics UK). She has pledged to uphold a “vow of peace” in foreign policy, opposing European militarization and advocating for Ireland’s tradition of neutrality and peacekeeping. “We have a history of neutrality and peacekeeping,” she reminded the nation, suggesting that Ireland is well-placed to promote alternatives to war (Anadolu Agency).
Connolly’s advocacy extends to supporting victims of historical injustices, such as the Magdalene Laundries and mother and baby homes. An outspoken feminist, she has promised to return a significant portion of her presidential salary to the Irish people through various projects and schemes. She is also committed to climate change action, intending to use her platform to champion sustainable solutions both at home and abroad. Her cultural policies focus on Irish unity and the recognition of the Irish language; she is a fluent Irish speaker and intends to make Irish the official working language of Áras an Uachtaráin (Politics UK).
Her election was notable not just for the scale of her victory, but also for the broad coalition of support she received. Though running as an Independent, Connolly was backed by the Labour Party, Social Democrats, and Sinn Féin. In the final contest, she faced only Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael, after Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin dropped out. The outcome, with Connolly taking 63.36% of first preference votes, was a clear mandate for change (China Daily).
Following the formalities at Dublin Castle, Connolly traveled by motorcade to Áras an Uachtaráin, where she was guest of honor at a state reception. Her first day as president was marked by plans to visit a gaelscoil (Irish language school) in Dublin, a family resource center in County Meath, and a nursing home in County Galway—demonstrating her commitment to engaging with communities across the country (BBC).
The ceremony was not without its minor hiccups. During her inaugural speech, Connolly mistakenly referred to First Minister Michelle O’Neill as “Michelle Smith”—a slip quickly noted but graciously overlooked in the spirit of the day (BBC). Not all political factions were present; the Democratic Unionist Party did not send a representative, though Ulster Unionist Party MLA Steve Aiken attended, emphasizing the importance of respect and future engagement.
As Connolly settles into her new role, her presidency is widely seen as a promising new era for Ireland—a time when the voices of the marginalized are brought to the fore, and the country’s commitment to peace, inclusion, and sustainability is reaffirmed. With her background, her principles, and the powerful mandate she holds, Catherine Connolly stands poised to leave an indelible mark on the Irish presidency and the nation itself.
