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PRESIDENT

CATHERINE CONNOLLY THE FIRST 12 MONTHS

THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND UACHTARÁN NA hÉIREANN i

SUMMARY REPORT 2025/2026

President Catherine Connolly Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly

SUMMARY REPORT 2025/2026

19 November 2025, President Connolly at An Taisce event in Tailors Hall.

Contents Presidential Inauguration

Visiting and supporting communities in every county

Continuing the work of peace

Using our voice on the world stage

Acknowledging our Diaspora

Allowing the Irish language to flourish

Valuing our environment

Celebrating our culture and heritage

Supporting our sporting events

Commemorating our history

Examining legislation and appointing office holders

This report provides a brief summary of some of the key work undertaken by President Catherine Connolly over her first 12 months in office. A full Year in Review publication covering the period from 11 November 2025 to 31 December 2026, including financial information, will be published in the new year.

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Presidential Inauguration 11 November 2025

St Patrick’s Hall, Dublin Castle

Catherine Connolly was inaugurated as the tenth President of Ireland on 11 November 2025. This followed the Presidential election on 24 October, where she received a record 914,143 first preference votes, 63.36% of the valid poll. In her Inauguration Address, President Connolly 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”. These are the values which have guided President Connolly over the first 12 months of her Presidency, as she has completed over 345 public engagements, visited all 32 counties on the island, and met with Irish communities and fellow Heads of State and Heads of Government at home and abroad.

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As President, I will foster an inclusive and open dialogue across the island in a manner that highlights and recognises our similarities and respects our differences.

Visiting and supporting communities in every county

12 November 2025, Trim Resource Centre.

President Connolly committed at her Inauguration to ensuring that all voices are represented, heard and valued. Over her first year, the President has met communities and organisations that reflect the full diversity of Irish life. President Connolly has visited people and projects in every county, and on five of our islands: Achill, Arranmore, Inis Bó Finne, Tory and Rathlin. The President 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. Members of the emergency services, including the volunteer crews of our lifeboats, have also welcomed the President. The President has visited 16 schools and met with school children at events such as the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition and Science Blast. The President has also welcomed students from across the island to Áras an Uachtaráin as part of the INTO Global Citizenship School and has presented Gaisce Gold Awards to over 50 young people. President Connolly has also visited many of our third level institutions. Continuing the tradition established by our first President, Douglas Hyde, President Connolly has welcomed communities from across the country to Áras an Uachtaráin for a series of summer Garden Parties, as well as for Afternoon Teas and other receptions. Since entering office, President Connolly has sent a letter and Centenarian Bounty of €2,540 to 542 citizens on their 100th birthday, while sending a further 774 citizens a commemorative coin on their 101st and subsequent birthdays. Centenarian Numbers from 11 November 2025 to 31 October 2026 THE FIRST 12 MONTHS 03

27 September 2026, Rathlin Island. Image courtesy of Tom McDonnell Photography.

4 February 2026, with First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

18 May 2026, meeting King Charles III in London. Image courtesy of Press Association.

14 February 2026, PeacePlayers.

Continuing the work of peace In her Inauguration Address, President Connolly committed that her first Official Visit would be to Northern Ireland to meet with people from all communities and celebrate the rich heritage and traditions of all who live there.

The President has returned to Northern Ireland on a further three Official Visits over the following months in August, September and early November, and over these four trips has visited all six counties of Northern Ireland in her first year in office.

The President further dedicated herself to fostering an inclusive and open dialogue across the island in a manner that highlights and recognises our similarities and respects our differences.

Recognising the importance of our relationship with our neighbouring island, President Connolly has also made two Official Visits to date to Britain – to London and Leeds in May, followed by a visit to Scotland in September. On both occasions the President met with King Charles III. In September she met with the First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, whom she also received in Áras an Uachtaráin in November 2025. In June, the President received the First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth at Áras an Uachtaráin.

In line with those commitments, President Connolly made her first Official Visit to Northern Ireland in February, meeting with First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and visiting community projects in Belfast and Derry/ Londonderry.

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Using our voice on the world stage At her Inauguration, President Connolly addressed the crises facing our world. The President warned of the existential threat posed by climate change and ongoing wars. President Connolly noted that conflict, famine and a warming planet have forced 165 million people from their homes and countries. The President stated that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be acceptable to us. The President highlighted how Ireland’s experience of colonisation and resistance, of a catastrophic manmade famine and forced emigration gives us a lived understanding of dispossession, hunger and war and a mandate to lead on these issues globally. Reflecting this priority, President Connolly’s first overseas engagement was to attend the fourth ‘In Defence of Democracy’ Summit in Barcelona in April. At the summit, where she joined with 12 other Heads of State and Government from around the world, President Connolly called on those present to stand together to defend the institutions established to uphold human rights without qualification following the horrors of two world wars and to work together to deepen international cooperation and to nurture and develop conditions for lasting peace. This is a message which the President repeated at the annual Arraiolos Group meeting with 11 of her fellow non-executive EU Presidents in Slovenia in October. In addition to her meetings overseas, President Connolly has met with a number of fellow Heads of State and Government in Ireland. These have included the President of the United States Donald Trump, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, the President of Moldova Maia Sandu, the Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney and the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, as well as the Governor General of Australia Sam Mostyn.

The President has also met with representatives of a number of key organisations at Áras an Uachtaráin including UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, the President of the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development Álvaro Lario, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera, and the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament.

18 April 2026, Barcelona. President and Leaders at the ‘In Defence of Democracy’ Summit.

16 October 2026, Arraiolos Group Meeting, Slovenia.

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20 May 2026, Leeds Irish Centre, UK.

Acknowledging our Diaspora Recognising our large and growing Diaspora, President Connolly noted at her Inauguration the personal experiences of emigration in so many families across the country, the ingenuity and hard work which Irish emigrants have shown on every continent, and the love of Ireland and its culture which remains deep in their hearts. Over her first year in office, President Connolly has met with members of our Diaspora in Britain at a number of receptions in London, Leeds, Coatbridge and Glasgow, as well as with members of our Diaspora in Spain and Slovenia during her visits to Barcelona and Ljubljana. The President also addressed the Global Irish Civic Forum in Croke Park in April.

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An Ghaeilge faoi bhláth President Connolly has placed a central importance on supporting and encouraging the public to use our native language. In her Inauguration Address, the President highlighted the importance of language in nurturing the soul and spirit of the nation and how she would work to help the language flourish, both in the Áras and throughout the country. In recognition of this importance, President Connolly’s first official engagement was a visit to Gaelscoil Inse Chór on her first full day in office. Since then, the President has undertaken over 40 Irish language engagements over her first year, as well as using Irish as much as possible in her other engagements. Some of these events have included the President launching the first monolingual Irish dictionary at the EPIC Centre in Dublin, Scoil Gheimhridh Joe Steve in Seanscoil Sailearna in Galway, Éigse na Brídeoige in the Iveragh Peninsula in Kerry, a report on usage of the Irish language at Maynooth University, Féile Dorn san Aer in Gaoth Dobhair, Oireachtas na Samhna in Killarney, and Muintearas ‘26. The President has also visited Raidió na Gaeltachta in Casla, TG4 in Baile na hAbhann to celebrate their 30th anniversary, and hosted two Ciorcal Comhrá events in Áras an Uachtaráin as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge. During her Official Visit to Scotland in September, President Connolly delivered an address in Irish at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture on the Isle of Skye. Marking the conclusion of her first year in office, President Connolly has announced Togra Gaeilge an Uachtaráin, which will see a year of events inside and outside the Áras over the next 12 months supported by the President.

Ligimis don Ghaeilge bláthú, éistimis leo siúd ar fad nach bhfuil uatha ach aitheantas a bheith tugtha dóibh mar Ghaeilgeoirí ina dtír féin agus in ómós dóibh agus dúinne, Gaeilgeoirí, Gaeil agus lucht foghlama na Gaeilge, ní sa gcúinne á labhairt go híseal a bhéas an Ghaeilge san Áras ach sa gcéad áit mar theanga oibre agus beidh sí a labhairt ar fud na tíre go misniúil, go fileata, go ceolmhar agus go húdarásach nuair is gá.

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Valuing our environment Acknowledging the climate crisis facing our planet, President Connolly noted in her Inauguration Address that our actions or inaction on climate change will determine the world our children and grandchildren will inherit and that it is the responsibility of those entrusted with public office to come together both nationally and internationally to lead and to create the conditions for a sustainable existence on our planet. In recognition of this challenge, President Connolly has placed an importance on visiting projects that embrace sustainable solutions and the experiences of which can be shared with others across the country. Some of these have included Brilliant Ballybunion in Co Kerry, Wildacres in Co Wicklow and the Organic Centre in Rossinver, Co Leitrim. President Connolly has also delivered an address at the Annual Conference of the DCU Institute for Climate and Society, officially opened National Tree Week in Newbridge House, Co Dublin, and attended and spoken at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co Offaly, and at Bord Bia Bloom in the Phoenix Park.

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8 March 2026, National Tree Week, Newbridge House, Co Dublin. Image courtesy of Naoise Culhane Photography.

17 March 2026, President Connolly and Brian at the St Patrick’s Day parade.

11 February 2026, Saoi of Aosdána presentation to visual artist Dorothy Cross.

Celebrating our culture and heritage President Connolly has attended more than 60 cultural events across the island over the last year, supporting a wide range of our cultural and heritage institutions and attending plays and concerts across the country.

in Belfast, the International Pan-Celtic Festival in Carlow, TradFest and the Liberties Festival in Dublin, the Galway International Arts Festival, and No. 11 Parnell Square – Ireland’s home for Poetry and Heritage, among many other events.

The President conferred the Torc on Dorothy Cross, newly elected Saoi of Aosdána, announced Chris Haughton as the eighth Laureate na nÓg for 2026–2029, and presented the 30th Annual Lawrence O’Shaughnessy Award for Poetry to Enda Wyley.

President Connolly has also welcomed a number of artists to Áras an Uachtaráin, including hosting a special edition of the Other Voices Anam Sessions through the Irish language and meeting with representatives from the National Campaign for the Arts at the Áras.

She attended the St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin and Macnas Halloween parade in Galway, and officially opened Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026

11 May 2026, President Connolly with Laureate na nÓg. Image courtesy of Chris Haughton.

6 October 2026, President Connolly launching the Christy Moore exhibition at the Irish Traditional Music Archive.

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Supporting our sporting events

22 November 2025, Quilter Nations Series, Ireland v South Africa, Aviva Stadium. Image courtesy of Sportsfile.

2 August 2026, TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior Championship Final, Croke Park. Image courtesy of LGFA.

President Connolly has been a strong supporter of Ireland’s sporting events over the course of her first year in office. The President has attended each of the Senior All-Ireland Hurling, Camogie, Football and Ladies Football finals at Croke Park, the Celtic Challenge Badminton Tournament in Waterford, and international rugby and soccer matches at the Aviva Stadium among other events. 29 January 2026, President Connolly with the Athlone Town and Shelbourne captains ahead of the President’s Cup.

She has officially opened the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games, the Global Solidarity Run, Cruinniú na mBád in Kinvara, Irish Sailing’s Watersports Inclusion Games and attended the launch of the vessel “Spirit of Shackleton” in Coal Harbour in Dún Laoghaire. The President presented the Galway Plate at the Galway Races and the Aga Khan Cup at the RDS Dublin Horse Show and welcomed the 2026 President’s Cup Men’s and Women’s soccer team captains to Áras an Uachtaráin, including Shamrock Rovers defender Pico Lopes who represented Cape Verde with such distinction at the 2026 World Cup.

7 August 2026, President Connolly presents the Aga Khan trophy.

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In addition, the President engaged with the PeacePlayers basketball initiative in Belfast and the Bohemian Cooperatives Community Project in Dublin.

Commemorating our history President Connolly has attended a number of important commemorations over the course of the year, including the annual Easter Sunday Commemoration at the GPO, the annual 1916 Arbour Hill Commemoration Ceremony, the National Day of Commemoration at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, and the National Service of Remembrance at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The President delivered the opening address at the 2026 Roger Casement Summer School in Dún Laoghaire in May, reflecting on the continuing relevance of Casement’s life to the circumstances facing the world today. Some of the other events attended by the President over the course of the year have included the Flowers for Magdalenes Memorial event in Bohermore Cemetery in Galway, the 50th anniversary of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the 75th anniversary of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann – the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel at Cathal Brugha Barracks, the 75th anniversary of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and the National Archives of Ireland conference ‘Exploring the 1926 census’. The President also hosted a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. 6 May 2026, Arbour Hill Commemoration Ceremony.

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Examining legislation and appointing office holders President Connolly has reviewed and signed 48 pieces of legislation over the course of her first year in office. On 31 March, President Connolly appointed Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Linda Ervine, Colin Harvey, Kathleen Lynch, Donncha O’Connell, Conor O’Mahony and Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh to serve as members of the Council of State. On 20 April, the President convened a meeting of the Council of State at Áras an Uachtaráin to consider the constitutionality of the International Protection Bill 2026, subsequently signing the Bill the following day. The President has held a number of meetings with the Taoiseach under Article 28 of the Constitution and appointed Hildegarde Naughton TD as Minister for Education and Youth on 18 November 2025. The President has held 26 Credentials ceremonies for foreign Ambassadors and has further received all of the resident Heads of Mission in the Diplomatic Corps for a reception at the Áras in January where she met with each Ambassador individually. The President appointed the Hon. Mr. Justice Keenan Johnson as President of the Circuit Court on 13 July 2026, one of 22 Judges appointed to the District Court, Circuit Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court at Judicial appointment ceremonies at Áras an Uachtaráin.

20 April 2026, Council of State Meeting.

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I have never believed more in the spirit of this country. Having travelled the length and breadth of the island, I have witnessed it in every county, in every corner of Ireland. I have heard it in the music, the literature and the dance of our people, in the deep tradition of solidarity and decency that continues to be the dominant force behind our people. I have felt it in the quiet dignity and stoicism of those who simply keep going, despite the very real challenges that they face.

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Áras an Uachtaráin, D08 E1W3 www.president.ie @PresidentIRL