Michael D Sworn In As Irish President

Michael D Higgins has been inaugurated as the ninth President of Ireland during a ceremony at Dublin Castle on Friday.

The ceremony took place at St Patrick's Hall with attendees including the Taoiseach, Government Ministers and the Council of State, as well as former Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.

Mr Higgins made his Declaration of Office and received his Presidential Seal from the Chief Justice Mrs Justice Susan Denham.

In his first address as President, Michael D Higgins said there was "no greater honour" than to have been elected Uachtarán na hÉireann – President of Ireland.

"Citizens of Ireland, you have chosen me to be your ninth President, to represent you at home and abroad, and to serve as a symbol of an Irishness of which we can all be proud.

"I enter the ninth Presidency with a sense of humility, but also with confidence in the great capacity of our people, the people of Ireland, not only to transcend present difficulties but to realise all of the wonderful possibilities that I believe await us in the years ahead."

In a reflective passage, the new President spoke in contrite terms about Ireland's recent past, and how the excesses of the Celtic Tiger years had not been the "best version" of the Irish people.

"To close the chapter on that which has failed, that which was not the best version of ourselves as a people, and open a new chapter based on a different version of our Irishness - will require a transition in our political thinking, in our view of the public world, in our institutions, and, most difficult of all, in our consciousness."

Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina arrived at Dublin Castle from Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park escorted by army motorcycles at around 11.45am before an inter-faith service and a humanist reflection.

Mr Higgins then made the Declaration of Office in Irish - promising to maintain the Constitution and uphold its laws.

During the ceremony, Taoiseach Enda Kenny described Mr Higgins as a "noble man of quiet virtue" who would be a President for all the people.

(DW)