Purple reign: President McAleese celebrates inauguration
Outlining a vision for her next seven years in office, President McAleese promised to represent Ireland “in a role outside of politics but inside the lives of our people”.
She also echoed the themes of her first term by expressing her desire to help to advance the peace process in Northern Ireland and to represent the Republic on the world stage.
“The cushion of consumerism is no substitute for the comfort of community,” she told 700 guests including political, religious and business leaders as well as members of the judiciary during a State ceremony in St Patrick’s Hall.
Among the attendance were 17 people chosen by President McAleese to represent voluntary and community groups. They included Special Olympics athlete Kevin O’Connor; Martin Ward, chairperson of the National Association of Traveller Training Centres and Nigerian immigrant Rotimi Adebari, who was elected to Portlaoise Town Council this summer. Also present were the President’s three children, Emma, Sara-Mai and Justin.
Representatives from all the major religious denominations led the gathering in an inter-faith service with music provided by singer Máire Brennan and uileann piper Liam Ó Floinn.
President McAleese was presented with the Presidential Seal of Office after making the formal declaration to uphold the Constitution and its laws.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern praised President McAleese for the contribution she had made to Irish society.
“You have truly been the people’s President and this is clearly evidenced by the dedicated work you do in fostering community and civic spirit across the length and breadth of Ireland,” he said.
Following the formal ceremony, the President and her husband, Martin, were given a warm welcome by a large crowd in the courtyard of Dublin Castle which included more than 600 children from schools representing all 32 counties.
Afterwards, the couple hosted a lunch for around 150 guests at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Last evening, President McAleese attended a State reception at Dublin Castle as a fireworks display lit the night sky at around 9.30pm.
