INAUGURATION:MICHAEL D Higgins will begin working this week on the speech for his inauguration as president on Friday week, November 11th.
The ceremony will take place in St Patrick’s Hall in the State Apartments at Dublin Castle.
The speech, which will be the highlight of the event, is likely to be bilingual and feature Mr Higgins’s election campaign themes on ending individualism and working towards inclusive citizenship.
Mr Higgins, author of a number of books, is expected to write the entire speech himself and deliver it with his customary vigour, while allowing for the solemnity of the occasion.
While the ceremony will be organised by the Department of the Taoiseach, and certain protocols observed, Mr Higgins will have an input.
It is likely to take place mid-morning, followed by the customary lunch for guests at Áras an Uachtaráin.
He will be sworn in by Chief Justice Susan Denham and he is likely to take the oath of office in Irish.
Mr Higgins may include an ecumenical dimension to the ceremony.
The guests will include outgoing President Mary McAleese, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Opposition leaders, members of the Cabinet, Oireachtas, judiciary, diplomatic corps and religious faiths.
Mr Higgins will issue personal invitations to family, friends, campaign workers, political and academic associates, and may also opt to invite a group or individuals to reflect the themes of his term in office.
Following his inauguration, Mr Higgins and his wife, Sabina, will be driven from Dublin Castle to Áras an Uachtaráin in the 1947 Rolls-Royce which has been used by past presidents for major ceremonial occasions.
As is customary, Mrs McAleese will invite Mr Higgins to Áras an Uachtaráin, probably this week, to discuss the transition.
