Catherine Connolly has said she will make sure all voices are nurtured and heard during her presidency.
Speaking at Dublin Castle where she was inaugurated as the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland she said the country has been undergoing “seismic changes” since the end of the Cold War.
She said she was looking forward to her first visit to Northern Ireland as president and that she would foster an inclusive dialogue across the island.
Connolly was elected in a landslide vote at the end of October – defeating Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys
The 68-year-old takes over the role from Michael D Higgins, whose 14-year term ended at midnight.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by politicians, judges and other invited guests took place at Dublin Castle
“We can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement model of peaceful resolution of conflict,” she said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulated Connolly on assuming office saying it was a “happy and momentous” day for her and her family.
The Republic of Ireland’s president is the country’s head of state, however it is a non-executive role.
On Tuesday morning, she travelled from Farmleigh at Phoenix Park to Dublin Castle with her husband, Brian McEnery, in a ceremonial motorcade.
She was sworn into office in St Patrick’s Hall by the chief justice.
A service of prayer and reflection took place during the ceremony.
Connolly was presented with the Presidential Seal and made a speech.
Who attended the inauguration?
As well as the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin, Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris, senior Irish government ministers and judges attended the inauguration.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill also attended the ceremony and was accompanied by Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly did not attended the inauguration.
Little-Pengelly said she has a number of commitments in Belfast and Windsor for Remembrance Day on Tuesday.
She wished the new president well and said she was hoping to have a phone call with her.
In the absence of Little-Pengelly, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is not sending a representative to attend the inauguration, with party leader Gavin Robinson insisting it is not a “snub”.
He said the party would be “pleased” to meet Connolly when she visits Northern Ireland in the future in her formal capacity.
Ulster Unionist Party MLA Steve Aiken is the only unionist politician who attended the inauguration in Dublin.
He confirmed he would be attending in place of party leader Mike Nesbitt who has other commitments.
He said it is not a bad look that he is the only unionist attending the event.
“I actually understand the reasons why some of them weren’t able to make it, because obviously [Deputy First Minister] Emma Little Pengelly would be here in other circumstances. But today is Armistice Day. And it’s very important for her to be in Belfast and also to be with our Head of State, the King, in Windsor Castle.
“There’s no snub, or no snub are intended, and that’s why I am here,” he told BBC News NI.
“I am here, I am a unionist, and we have a substantial part of the vote. So we are here and we are showing the respect due to the president.”
He said he had no issue with the deputy first minister missing the inauguration but the First Minister Michelle O’Neill attending.
After the ceremony, the newly inaugurated president will then travel to Áras an Uachtaráin, the official home of the Irish president, via motorcade.
A state reception will take place on Tuesday evening in Dublin Castle.
Connolly has served as a TD (member of Irish parliament) since 2016 and her election as president will trigger a by-election in Galway West.
She previously worked as a barrister and psychologist.
By BBC News
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