Catherine Connolly’s inauguration as the 10th President of Ireland took place on a day of ceremony, celebration and a firm assertion of principle. Her inaugural address, delivered in both English and Irish, did not shy away from the positions that have defined her political career. She also promised to place the Irish language at the centre of her presidency, pledging that Irish would not be spoken in a low voice in Áras an Uachtaráin. On early evidence Connolly may prove a more low-key orator than her immediate predecessor, though that does not imply timidity. In that context any intervention by a President known for strong views has the potential to cause discomfort for the Coalition.
