Gabija GataveckaiteBBC NI News Dublin Correspondent , Dublin Castle
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Catherine Connolly arriving at Dublin Castle ahead of her inauguration as the Republic of Ireland’s 10th president
Catherine Connolly has been declared as the Republic of Ireland’s 10th president.
Connolly was elected in a landslide vote at the end of October – defeating Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys.
The 68-year-old will take over the role from Michael D Higgins, whose 14-year term ended at midnight.
The inauguration ceremony for the president-elect is being attended by politicians, judges and other invited guests is taking place at Dublin Castle.
The Republic’s president is the country’s head of state, however it is a non-executive role.
On Tuesday morning, the president-elect traveled from Farmleigh at Phoenix Park to Dublin Castle with her husband, Brian McEnery, in a ceremonial motorcade.
There she will be sworn into office in St Patrick’s Hall by the chief justice.
A service of prayer and reflection is taking place during the ceremony.
Connolly has been presented with the Presidential Seal and is making a speech.
Who is attending the inauguration?
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Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has arrived at Dublin Castle to attend the ceremony
As well as the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin, tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris, senior Irish government ministers and judges are attending the inauguration.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill is also attending the ceremony and is being accompanied by Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will not be attending the inauguration.
Little-Pengelly said she has a number of commitments in Belfast and Windsor for Remembrance Day on Tuesday.
She wished the new president well and said she was hoping to have a phone call with her.
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary O’Shea at Dublin Castle
In the absence of Little-Pengelly, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is not sending a representative to attend the inauguration, with party leader Gavin Robinson insisting it is not a “snub”.
He said the party would be “pleased” to meet Connolly when she visits Northern Ireland in the future in her formal capacity.
Ulster Unionist Party MLA Steve Aiken is the only unionist politician attending the inauguration in Dublin.
He confirmed he would be attending in place of party leader Mike Nesbitt who has other commitments.
He said it is not a bad look that he is the only unionist attending the event.
“I actually understand the reasons why some of them weren’t able to make it, because obviously [Deputy First Minister] Emma Little Pengelly would be here in other circumstances. But today is Armistice Day. And it’s very important for her to be in Belfast and also to be with our Head of State, the King, in Windsor Castle.
“There’s no snub, or no snub are intended, and that’s why I am here,” he told BBC News NI.
“I am here, I am a unionist, and we have a substantial part of the vote. So we are here and we are showing the respect due to the president.”
He said he had no issue with the deputy first minister missing the inauguration but the First Minister Michelle O’Neill attending.
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Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina arriving at Dublin Castle
After the ceremony, the newly inaugurated president will then travel to Áras an Uachtaráin, the official home of the Irish president, via motorcade.
A state reception will take place on Tuesday evening in Dublin Castle.
Connolly has served as a TD (member of Irish parliament) since 2016 and her election as president will trigger a by-election in Galway West.
She previously worked as a barrister and psychologist.
