The ceremony took place in Dublin Castle on Sunday night.
Michael D. Higgins is officially President of Ireland once again following a formal ceremony in Dublin Castle on Sunday evening.
The President’s original run of seven years expired on Saturday, and the Constitution of Ireland stipulates that the President of Ireland is inaugurated on the day following the expiry of the previous term of office.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was among those in attendance alongside the President’s wife Sabina Coyne and former Presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson.
Presidential dogs Brod and Sioda, however, did not attend.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney officially greeted the President and his wife upon their arrival at Dublin Castle.
Earlier that day, President Higgins attended the Armistice Day centenary commemorations at Glasnevin Cemetery in memory of the thousands of Irish men and women who died in the First World War.
At his inauguration, the President echoed the words he spoke upon his re-election last month, emphasising that he will be “a President for all the Irish people” regardless of wherever they may be or what their circumstances are.
President Michael D. Higgins is the 9th President of Ireland, and the fifth President to serve two terms in office. pic.twitter.com/GEUeOfN45e
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) November 11, 2018
“I want to thank you, the people of Ireland, for the honour you have again bestowed on me, an honour I accept with all the energy of mind and heart that is required for the trust your mandate has placed on me,” said President Higgins.
“I will, I have emphasised, be a president for all of the Irish people, wherever they may be and in whatever circumstances, those who supported me and those who were not among that number.”
He spoke of “deepening inequalities”, noting that “many of our people do not have the necessary securities of adequate housing, shelter, health, education, such securities and supports which would allow them to realise their rights and participate with equality.”
President Higgins nodded once more to what it means to be a “real republic”, stating that such a reality requires “a wide embrace, inclusive of all its members”, specifically referencing Irish people from different generations, including those currently abroad.
“We can and must be advocates for the inclusion of diverse peoples, traditions and belief systems in a peaceful world assisted by strong multilateral institutions, themselves supported by a deeper global consciousness, one derived from the irreducible rights of human dignity,” he added.
You can read the inauguration speech in full here.
“It is important that we seek to reach always for the best of ourselves, and the best of what we might become, and that we allow that to guide our collective ambition for our country.”
Read the full text of the President’s inaugural address at https://t.co/5HXjC9OQDM pic.twitter.com/3ecrnOnDQI
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) November 11, 2018
Main image via President of Ireland / Twitter
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