Catherine Connolly becomes Ireland’s 10th president.

Catherine Connolly says she will ensure all voices are heard and heard during her presidency.

Speaking at Dublin Castle where she was sworn in as the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland, she said Ireland was undergoing a “seismic change” since the end of the Cold War.

She said she was looking forward to her first visit to Northern Ireland as president and would foster inclusive dialogue across the island.

Connolly was elected in a landslide vote in late October, beating Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys.

“Our actions today will shape the world our grandchildren will inherit,” she said in her speech.

She also said: “We can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement model for peaceful resolution of conflicts.”

The 68-year-old took over the role from Michael D Higgins, whose 14-year tenure ended at midnight.

The inauguration ceremony held at Dublin Castle on Tuesday was attended by politicians, judges and other invited guests.

Former Irish President Higgins, Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson also attended.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin congratulated Connolly on her inauguration and said it had been a “happy and momentous” day for her and her family.

The President of the Republic of Ireland is the head of state but has a non-executive role.

On Tuesday morning, she and her husband Brian McEnery traveled from Farmleigh in Phoenix Park to Dublin Castle in a ceremonial motorcade.

She was administered the oath of office at St Patrick’s Hall by Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell.

A service of prayer and reflection was held during the event.

Connolly was presented with the Presidential Seal and delivered a speech.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by taoiseach, tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland) Simon Harris, senior Irish government ministers and judges.

Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill also attended the event, and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald also accompanied her.

However, in his inaugural address, Connolly accidentally called O’Neill “Michelle Smith.”

Deputy Prime Minister Emma Little-Pengelly did not attend the inauguration ceremony.

Little-Pengelly said she had a lot of appointments in Belfast and Windsor for Remembrance Day on Tuesday.

She wished the new president well and said she would like to speak with him on the phone.

In Little-Pengelly’s absence, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) did not send a representative to the inauguration, with party leader Gavin Robinson insisting that was not a “lie”.

He said the party would be “delighted” to meet Connolly when he visits Northern Ireland in an official capacity in the future.

Ulster Unionist Party MLA Steve Aiken was the only Labor politician to attend the inauguration.

He attended on behalf of party leader Mike Nesbitt, who had other commitments.

He said it wasn’t a bad thing that he was the only union member at this event.

“I actually understand why some of them couldn’t attend, because obviously Emma Little-Pengelly would have been here under different circumstances, but today is Armistice Day,” he told BBC News NI.

“And it is very important that she is in Belfast and also with our head of state, the King, at Windsor Castle.

“I don’t mean to deny it, I don’t intend to, and that’s why I’m here.

“I’m here, I’m a union member, we have a significant vote share, so we’re here and we’re giving the president the respect he deserves.”

After the inauguration ceremony, the new president traveled in a motorcade to Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President of Ireland.

Connolly was the guest of honor at the state reception held at Dublin Castle on Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday she will visit Gaelscoil (an Irish language school) in Dublin, a family resource center in County Meath and a care home in County Galway.

Connolly has been a TD (Member of the Irish Parliament) since 2016, and her election as president will trigger a Galway West by-election.

She previously worked as a lawyer and psychologist.