Main Points Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated as Ireland’s 10th president this morning at a ceremony at Dublin Castle. Former president Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina, Ms Connolly’s family, members of the government, the judiciary, religious leaders, former taoisigh and presidents are set to attend. The President-elect and her family will arrive at Dublin Castle from Farmleigh before noon.Ms Connolly has pledged to focus on peace, neutrality and climate change during her term.At 12.40pm, Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell will read the presidential declaration in Irish.This will be repeated aloud by Ms Connolly who will then sign the declaration and become President of Ireland. Ms Connolly referenced the presidential oath during the campaign as giving latitude to speak up on political issues.A 21-gun salute will be performed at Collins Barracks, and the Chief Justice of Ireland Donal O’Donnell will present Ms Connolly with the seal of office.Ms Connolly will then give a speech.She won 63 per cent of valid first preference votes in a landslide victory during the presidential election on October 24th. Best Reads
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Naomi O’Leary looks at what to watch out for in Connolly’s speech
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Inside Politics Podcast: How is Catherine Connolly viewed in Europe?
How will Catherine Connolly define her presidency?
Fintan O’Toole: Connolly deserves her win but it’s a hollow crown
How Michael D Higgins shaped the presidency
Debate: Is Connolly’s plan to bring Irish into the Áras a good idea?
Sarah Burns – 2 minutes ago
Under the Constitution, a new president enters office in the presence of the TDs, senators, judges of the Supreme Court, of the Court of Appeal and of the High Court, political correspondent Ellen Coyne reports.
As well as the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and ministers, there will be representatives from Northern Ireland including Michelle O’Neill. MEPs, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organisations will also be at the inauguration today.
Church leaders are also arriving here as are Ms Connolly’s family, friends and supporters.
Sarah Burns – 11 minutes ago
Michael D Higgins’s term as president expired at midnight last night. Catherine Connolly doesn’t take office for a few hours yet. So who is president now?
Political editor Pat Leahy writes: Nobody is. The powers and functions of the office are now – for a few hours – the responsibility of the Presidential Commission, which is made up of the Chief Justice, the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.
In the case of any of their absences, their deputies will fill in – the deputy for the Chief Justice being in this instance the President of the Court of Appeal. The commission can act on the say of two of its members.
The Constitution specifies that the commission can act in the absence or temporary incapacity of the president, or if he or she is removed from office, has died, has resigned – or if the office is vacant – as it currently is, at least until about a quarter to one or so.
An emergency requiring the President to perform her duties seems unlikely in the next few hours, though.
Sanctuary Runners, a solidarity-through-sport movement, provided a final guard of honour for President Michael D Higgins when he and Sabina Higgins left Áras an Uachtaráin for the final time on Monday night. Birthday girl Monica Pumpkin presented flowers during the guard of honour. Photograph Nick Bradsha/The Irish Times
Sarah Burns – 19 minutes ago
The first of the president-elect’s personal guests will begin arriving at Dublin Castle from 10.25am this morning, Marie O’Halloran reports.
Journalists, photographers, videographers, TV and radio presenters and camera crews from across the world have been gathering in preparation for the inauguration of Ireland’s 10th President.
The Government Information Service said there is “huge international interest” in the inauguration of Catherine Connolly with media representation from across the world monitoring the event.
Security is very tight with scanners and multiple checks of cameras and computers.
President-elect Catherine Connolly arrives to Dublin Castle accompanied by her campaign manager Beibhinn O’Connor (right) for the announcement of the result of the presidential election last month. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Sarah Burns – 40 minutes ago
Kevin Rafter recently ranked all of the Irish presidents to date. His article can be read here.
Former president and Taoiseach Éamon de Valera Photograph: General Photographic Agency/Getty Images
Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago
Elsewhere, Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina were greeted by cheers and gifted roses as they left Áras an Uachtaráin on Monday night, with his 14 years as president coming to an end.
A guard of honour was formed outside the gates of the president’s residence in the Phoenix Park, despite the biting cold, by the members of the Sanctuary Runners, who wanted to show their appreciation for his support.
President Michael D Higgins waves to the crowd whilst leaving Aras an Uachtarain with his wife Sabina Higgins on Monday night. Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA Wire 
President Michael D Higgins is gifted a flower whilst leaving Aras an Uachtarain with his wife Sabina Higgins on Monday night. Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA Wire 
President Michael D Higgins waves to the crowd whilst leaving Aras an Uachtarain with his wife Sabina Higgins on Monday night. Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA Wire
Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago
Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary writes that inauguration speeches can set the tone for a president’s time in office and what you should watch out for in Catherine Connolly’s first speech.
Her piece can be read here.
Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago
Good morning. Catherine Connolly will give her first speech as the 10th President of Ireland today when she is sworn into office in St Patrick’s Hall at Dublin Castle before being brought by motorcade to Áras an Uachtaráin.
The inauguration ceremony is scheduled to begin from about 10.30am, with the Chief Justice set to present the Presidential Seal to Ms Connolly shortly after 12.40pm, followed by her speech.
Follow irishtimes.com for updates throughout the day.
Catherine Connolly will be sworn in as 10th president of Ireland at Dublin Castle on Tuesday. Illustration: Paul Scott