On November 11, 2025, under a clear sky and a moving atmosphere, Ireland officially welcomed its new president: Catherine Connolly, an independent woman from Galway, known for her integrity, outspokenness, and deep commitment to social justice. The ceremony took place in the majestic Dublin Castle, a powerful symbol of sovereignty regained by a nation once under British rule.
Surrounded by government members, political figures, and artists from across the country, Connolly took the oath of office before outgoing First Lady Sabina Higgins, wife of the much-loved Michael D. Higgins, whose poetic and humanist legacy she now inherits after fourteen years. Her inaugural speech, partly delivered in Irish, deeply moved the audience: “Is sinne na glúine atá ag tabhairt aire don todhchaí” — We are the generation that takes care of the future.
Before reaching the highest office in the land, Catherine Connolly followed an unconventional path far from the traditional parties such as Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. A former psychologist turned lawyer, she first made her mark in local politics, elected to the Galway City Council, before becoming an independent member of parliament (Teachta Dála) in the Dáil Éireann.
Her political career has always been defined by independence and conviction. Neither aligned with the populist left of Sinn Féin nor tempted by centrist pragmatism, she embodied a civic voice for the overlooked: single mothers, the homeless, linguistic minorities, and rural youth. Her passionate interventions in parliament earned her growing popularity, especially among younger generations seeking honest and accessible leadership.
In her first presidential address, Connolly made it clear that her mission would go beyond protocol. She intends to be a “president for everyone,” attentive to rural Ireland, to those struggling with economic hardship, but also to artists and defenders of the Irish language. She emphasized a key national issue: the housing crisis, which has become a major social challenge.
She praised community-driven initiatives — housing cooperatives, shared gardens, and Gaelic-language programs in primary schools — often more effective than national plans. For Connolly, the renewal of the Republic must come through “solidarity lived in everyday life.”
One of Catherine Connolly’s strongest ambitions is to restore the Irish language (Gaeilge) to the heart of public life. Long confined to classrooms or a few rural Gaeltacht areas, the national language continues to decline despite renewed interest in recent years. Connolly hopes to encourage its use in institutions, media, and daily conversation.
As she stated during her inauguration: “Our language is not a memory of the past; it is a living promise.” The message resonated deeply, especially among young Irish people eager to reconnect with their cultural roots and affirm their identity within a globalized Europe.
Catherine Connolly succeeds Michael D. Higgins, whose presidency was marked by wisdom and poetry. Where Higgins embodied reflection, Connolly brings activism and listening. She follows in the footsteps of strong-willed presidents like Mary Robinson, Ireland’s first female head of state (1990–1997), also an independent and human-rights advocate.
She aims to turn the presidency into a space for civic dialogue. In her first days, she announced a new program, An Teanga Beo — The Living Language — to support local initiatives that promote Irish culture through art, food, literature, and music.
Connolly is also a committed environmentalist. Coming from a coastal region battered by Atlantic storms, she knows firsthand the effects of climate change on rural communities and fisheries. She declared that the fight for the planet would be “the duty of the entire nation.”
Her international vision is equally ambitious: she hopes Ireland can become a European model of “active neutrality,” championing peace, refugee protection, and environmental diplomacy. Her first official visit abroad is expected to be to Brussels, to discuss sustainable energy cooperation with EU leaders.
Catherine Connolly’s election reflects Ireland’s social transformation. Within one generation, the country has shifted from a conservative Catholic society to a progressive, secular one: marriage equality, legal abortion, and expanded rights for women and minorities.
Connolly, with her authenticity and inclusive vision, embodies this new Ireland — proud of its heritage yet open to the future. Her presidency could mark a time of political calm and renewed unity, especially as tensions around Northern Ireland occasionally resurface.
For many, Catherine Connolly represents a breath of sincerity and hope. At a time when politics often feels detached, she reminds people that the Irish presidency is more than ceremonial — it is a moral compass, a national conscience.
Her first actions — visiting a refugee center, meeting language associations, and paying tribute to the victims of the Troubles — reflect her compassionate and reconciliatory approach. Ireland has chosen a profoundly human leader, one who believes every citizen matters.
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