President Connolly marks one year in office

Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly, is today marking one year in office since her inauguration as the tenth President of Ireland on 11th November 2025.

On her first day of official engagements last year, President Connolly visited Trim Family Resource Centre, after promising to return on a previous visit to the centre during her campaign.

She spent over an hour listening to and talking with representatives from the different groups that use the resource centre, workers and volunteers, participants in the programmes offered by the centre, and local people from all over who use the different services Trim Family Resource Centre provides.

There was great excitement in Trim to welcome the new President on her first day in office and she also greeted members of the public, workers, volunteers and students of Scoil Mhuire and St Mary’s Convent Primary School.

A year on, President Connolly is today marking her anniversary by making visits to Gaelscoil Áine in Drumcondra, Hill Street Family Resource Centre in Dublin 1 and Raheny Community Nursing Unit.

These visits echo President Connolly’s first full day in office, 12th November 2025, when the President visited Gaelscoil Inse Chór, Trim Family Resource Centre and Merlin Park Community Nursing Unit.

Over the past twelve months, President Connolly has undertaken over 345 public engagements, visiting people and projects reflecting the full diversity of Irish life across all 32 counties, including five of our islands – Achill, Arranmore, Inis Bó Finne, Tory and Rathlin.

The President has made four official visits to Northern Ireland in February, August, September and November, as well as travelling to overseas engagements in England, Scotland, Spain, Norway and Slovenia, highlighting the importance of peace at gatherings of fellow Heads of State and meeting with members of the Irish Diaspora.

To coincide with the anniversary of the President’s inauguration, the Office of the President of Ireland has today published a document highlighting some of the President’s key activities over the last year.

Throughout her engagements, President Connolly has been guided by the values set out in her Inauguration Address.

In that address, the President presented the vision for a new Republic which she had received from the public, “A Republic worthy of its name where everyone is valued and diversity is cherished, where sustainable solutions are urgently implemented and where a home is a fundamental right”.

In her address, the President recognised the spirit of the country, “the deep tradition of solidarity and decency that continues to be the dominant force  behind our people”, and promised to “ensure that all voices are represented, heard and valued, and promote a public discourse that nourishes inclusivity, tolerance and active citizenship.”

Some of the areas of the President’s work highlighted in the report include: Visiting and supporting communities in every county; Continuing the work of peace; Using our voice on the world stage; Acknowledging our Diaspora; An Ghaeilge faoi bhláth; Valuing our environment; Celebrating our culture and heritage; Supporting our sporting events; Commemorating our history; and Examining legislation and appointing office holders.

Over the course of her engagements across the island, President Connolly has met carers, young people, women’s groups and Travellers’ groups, along with multicultural groups and International Protection applicants. Her visits have taken in Family Resource Centres, healthcare, childcare, housing and rehabilitation services, prisons and cooperatives. The President has met with advocates for the Arts and many artists around the country and attended a range of sporting and commemoration events. In many of her engagements, the President has placed an emphasis on climate and food security. Members of the emergency services, including the volunteer crews of our lifeboats, have also welcomed the President.

As part of her constitutional duties, President Connolly has considered and signed 48 pieces of legislation, appointed 22 Judges and has also received the credentials of 26 foreign ambassadors. The President has appointed 7 members to the Council of State, which on 20 April met to consider the International Protection Bill 2026.