Irish presidential inauguration to take place at Dublin Castle

Gabija GataveckaiteBBC NI News Dublin Correspondent, Dublin Castle

Brian Lawless/PA Media Close-up of Catherine Connolly smiling at the camera. She is an old woman with short gray hair. He's standing in a park, but the trees behind him are blurred. He wears a cobalt blue blazer, a black shirt and a silver necklace. — Catherine Connolly will later be sworn in as Ireland’s 10th president at a ceremony at Dublin Castle

Guests began arriving at Dublin Castle ahead of the inauguration of the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland.

Independent politician Catherine Connolly elected Overwhelming vote at the end of October – Defeating Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys.

The 68-year-old actor will take over the role from Michael D Higgins, whose 14-year tenure ends at midnight.

The president-elect’s inauguration ceremony, attended by politicians, judges and other invited guests, will take place in Dublin Castle.

The president of the republic is the country’s head of state, but it is a non-executive role.

Outgoing president Michael D Higgins met the president-elect at Áras an Uachtaráin (the official residence of the Irish president) last week.

PA Media Michael D Higgins, a bald, white-haired older man, smiles as he shakes hands with Catherine Connolly. He wears a navy blue suit, a white shirt and a patterned tie. Connolly is also smiling and wearing a grey-black suit. She is an old woman with short, gray hair. They stand in front of a white marble fireplace with a wreath of orange, pink, white and yellow flowers. — Outgoing president Michael D Higgins met the president-elect at Áras an Uachtaráin (the official residence of the Irish president) last week.

On Tuesday morning, the president-elect, accompanied by her husband Brian McEnery, will travel in a ceremonial motorcade from Phoenix Park, Farmleigh, to Dublin Castle.

There he will be inducted by the chief justice in St Patrick’s Hall.

A prayer and contemplation ceremony will be held during the ceremony.

Connolly will give a speech after presenting the Presidential Seal.

Who will attend the opening?

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill will attend the ceremony

PACEMAKER Michelle O'Neill smiles. He wears a purple jacket with a white top. He has blonde hair. — Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill will attend the ceremony

The opening ceremony will be attended by taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin, tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris, as well as senior Irish government ministers and judges.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill will also attend the ceremony and will be accompanied by Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will not attend the opening ceremony.

Little Pengelly said He has some commitments in Belfast and Windsor on Tuesday for Memorial Day.

He wished the new president well and said he hoped to have a phone conversation with him.

In her victory speech at Dublin Castle, Catherine Connolly said she would be “an inclusive president for everyone”

Niall Carson/PA Media Catherine Connolly stands behind a dark wooden podium and smiles. There are two microphones placed in front. She stands in front of a long, dark blue velvet curtain. The words 'Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath Dublin Castle' are written in gold on the podium. Connolly is wearing a dark gray suit jacket with a dark shirt underneath. — In her victory speech at Dublin Castle, Catherine Connolly said she would be “an inclusive president for everyone”

In Little-Pengelly’s absence, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) will not send a representative to the opening ceremony. Party leader Gavin Robinson insists it’s not a ‘snubbing’.

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 councilor (MLA) Steve Aiken will be the only unionist politician to attend the opening ceremony.

He confirmed he would be attending in place of party leader Mike Nesbitt, who had other commitments.