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The newly inaugurated president has pledged to reshape Ireland into a “republic worthy of its name” by advocating for diversity, the Irish language, and the legacy of decolonisation.

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

“We were led to believe that it was too great a leap, that our ideas were too radical – at odds with the dominant discourse,” she remarked, referencing her landslide victory.

“Through nationwide dialogues, however, it became clear that the dominant narrative did not represent people’s hopes and fears. Repeatedly, people spoke of how it tended to suppress, to other, to label, to exclude and to hinder independent thought.”

On a ceremonial occasion at Dublin Castle, the experienced legal professional declared that as Ireland’s 10th president, she would amplify diverse perspectives and would promote climate action, acceptance, and a resurgence of Irish culture.

“The people have spoken and have given their president a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a renewed nation, 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.”

Connolly’s election shocked the political establishment. The non-aligned progressive candidate united opposition leftwing parties, energised young voters, and trounced the ruling party’s candidate by winning 64% of the vote.

Though the presidency is a largely ceremonial post, the previous officeholder had expanded its influence, turning it into a platform for issues—a tradition the new president will likely uphold.

In a ballroom packed with officials, diplomats, and other dignitaries, Connolly lamented “the normalisation of war and atrocities.”

Commending Ireland’s neutrality—a potential source of friction with the government—she asserted: “Our experience of colonisation and resistance of a catastrophic man-made famine gives us a deep empathy of loss, hunger, and conflict and a mandate for Ireland to lead.”

The president additionally praised the peace accord and cited constitutional provisions that supports national unity with consent. One major group declined to send a representative but clarified it was not a deliberate omission.

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

No country can voice its aspirations if the native language spoken by ancestors was lost, she commented. “It has been put in second place without sufficient respect or recognition. The national spirit were quenched when they were prevented from speaking their own language. It’s a language that conveys emotion and sentiment with every word.”

A artillery tribute was fired as the head of state was formally invested.