Michael D Higgins assume ufficialmente la carica di Presidente

Michael D Higgins inaugurated as President

Michael D Higgins has been inaugurated as the ninth President of Ireland.

In a colourful ceremony at Dublin Castle, Mr Higgins made his Declaration of Office and received his Presidential Seal from the Chief Justice Mrs Justice Susan Denham.

Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina arrived at Dublin Castle from Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park with an Army motorcycle escort just before 11.45am.

They entered the historic St Patrick’s Hall and took their place on the platform – surrounded by the Taoiseach, Government Ministers and the Council of State, including former Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.

After an inter-faith service and a humanist reflection, Mr Higgins made the Declaration of Office in Irish – promising to maintain the Constitution and uphold its laws.

He then received his Seal of Office.

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.

In his first address as Uachtaráin na hÉireann, Mr Higgins said the Irish people have the capacity to transcend the present difficulties.

He said we have been left wounded as a society, but he said people wanted to move on to a new chapter based on a new sense of Irishness.

1,700 guests were invited to a State reception at Dublin Castle tonight to celebrate the inauguration.