Overview
- President Michael D Higgins welcomed Catherine Connolly to Áras an Uachtaráin, wishing her "health and happiness" during an informal visit.
- They shook hands, embraced and exchanged a few words in Irish, joking for photographers and thanking the media in attendance.
- Both were accompanied by family, with Sabina Higgins joining the president and Brian McInery attending with the president-elect.
- Connolly will be inaugurated on 11 November at Dublin Castle before moving into the Phoenix Park residence, while the Higginses depart the previous day for their Galway home.
- Elected on the first count with just over 63% of first-preference votes, Connolly succeeds Higgins after his two seven-year terms and shares political roots with him in Galway’s Labour circles.