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Catherine Connolly has pledged to reshape Ireland into a “nation that lives up to its ideals” by championing diversity, the Irish language, and the legacy of decolonisation.

In her inauguration address, the president outlined a leftwing alternative diverging from the centre-right orthodoxy.

“Many assumed that it was too great a leap, that our ideas were too radical – contrary to the dominant discourse,” she stated, pointing to her decisive election win.

“In shared conversations, however, it became evident that the mainstream message did not reflect people’s hopes and fears. Time and time again, people spoke of how it served to silence, to marginalise, to categorise, to exclude and to stifle critical thinking.”

On a day marked by pomp at the historic venue, the experienced legal professional affirmed that as Ireland’s new head of state, she would amplify diverse perspectives and would advance environmental measures, acceptance, and a resurgence of Irish culture.

“Voters have made their choice and have given their president a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a new republic, a republic true to its principles where each person matters and differences are celebrated, where eco-friendly policies are swiftly enacted, and where a housing is guaranteed for all.”

Connolly’s election shocked the political establishment. The independent leftwing legislator united opposition leftwing parties, mobilised the youth, and trounced the ruling party’s candidate by winning 64% of the vote.

Though the presidency is a largely ceremonial post, the outgoing president had stretched the constraints, turning it into a voice for causes—a practice Connolly is expected to continue.

In a venue filled with government figures, ambassadors, and other dignitaries, the president expressed regret over “the normalisation of war and genocide.”

Praising Ireland’s non-alignment—a potential source of friction with the government—she asserted: “Our history under foreign rule and resistance of a catastrophic man-made famine gives us a lived understanding of loss, hunger, and conflict and a call for national leadership.”

Connolly also hailed the Good Friday agreement and referenced constitutional provisions that supports national unity with agreement. One major group declined to send a representative but clarified it was not a deliberate omission.

Speaking in Gaelic, she reaffirmed a pledge to prioritise the language in the official home. “Irish will not be spoken in a low voice in the Áras, it will have primary status as a working language.”

No country can voice its aspirations if the native language used forebears was lost, she said. “It has been relegated without due honour or acknowledgement. The hearts of our people were dampened when they were prevented from speaking their own language. It’s a language that expresses feelings and meaning with each phrase.”

A 21-gun salute was fired as the new president was formally invested.