Some 700 school children from both sides of the Border cheered the President, Mrs McAleese, in Dublin Castle's courtyard following her inauguration.
The pupils were drawn from primary and post-primary schools from every county, including a large contingent from Belfast.
Young people featured strongly during the inauguration ceremony itself in St Patrick's Hall, where an inter-denominational group offered readings.
The readers were: Ms Catherine Carroll, Clonanny, Portarlington, Co Laois, representing the Greek Orthodox faith; Ms Rebecca Sellar, Maple Road, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14, representing the Presbyterian Church; Mr Derek Gombedza, King Edward Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, representing the Methodist Church; Ms Mariann Von Bunau, Fulmort, Bunbrosna, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, representing the Lutheran Church; Mr Michael Gallon, College Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare (Roman Catholic); Mr John McAleer, 3 Latlurcan, Old Armagh Road, Co Monaghan (Church of Ireland) and Ms Iseult Kirwan, New Square, Trinity College, Dublin (Roman Catholic).
In all, 268 guests drawn from the worlds of politics, the judiciary, the clergy, trades' unions, the business community and members of the Council of State were present in St Patrick's Hall to witness President McAleese's inauguration.
She travelled in a cavalcade to Dublin Castle from Áras an Uachtaráin escorted by motorcycles from the 2nd Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks.
The music for the inauguration, including the hymn "Be Thou My Vision", was provided by singer, MÁire Brennan, Liam O'Flynn and the Army No. 1 Band.
A lunch for dignitaries, including the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern and the Chief Justice, Mr Justice John Murray, was held later in the Áras.
Schools in attendance: the full list
Antrim: Ashfield Boys High School, Belfast; Boys' Model School, Belfast; Castle High School, Belfast; Curry Primary School, Belfast; Dominican College, Belfast; Girls' Model School, Belfast; Larne High School; Parkhall Primary School, Antrim; St Louise's Comprehensive, Belfast; St Patrick's College, Bearnageeha, Belfast; Tennent Street Primary School, Belfast; Armagh: The Royal School, Armagh; St Joseph's High School, Crossmaglen; Carlow: Holy Family Boys' National School; Holy Family Girls' National School, Askea; St Columba's Church of Ireland, Tullow; Cavan: Royal School; Clare: St Joseph's; Cork: Cobh Community College; Derry: Thornhill College, Derry; Donegal: St Eunan's College; Down: St Paul's High School, Bessbrook; Dublin: North Muslim National School, Cabra; Rathgar National School; Sandymount School; Clinic St Augustine's, Blackrock; St Joseph's School for the Deaf, Cabra; St Joseph's Senior, Balcurris, Ballymun; St Mary's National School for the Deaf, Cabra; Stratford National School, Rathgar; Fermanagh: Mount Lourdes Grammar School, Enniskillen; Galway: Scoil Chuinstheach; Kerry: Kerry VEC; Kildare: Curraghcamp National School, Curragh; North Kildare Educate Together, Celbridge; St Mark's Special School, Newbridge; Kilkenny: Gaelscoil Osraí, Chill Channaigh; Kilkenny School Project; Lisnafunchin National School; Laois: Clonaghadoo NS, Geashill, Mountmellick; Cosby National School (CoI), Cosby; Stradbally Scoil Naoimh Eoin, Killinard; Leitrim: Leitrim VEC; Limerick: John the Baptist Community School; Longford: Gaelscoil an Longfort, Longford; Mostrim National School (St John's), Mostrim, Edgworthstown; St Matthew's, Ballymahon; Louth: Dun Dealgan National School; Dundalk Gaelscoil Dhun Dealgan, Muirtheimhne, Dun Dealgan; Scoil Náisiúnta Eoin Báiste, Fatima, Castletown, Dundalk; Mayo: Coláiste Mhuire; Meath: Scoil Mhuire, Ashbourne; Scoil Náisiúnta Rath Beagáin, Rath Beagain, Dún Seachnaill; St Mary's Special School, Athlumney, Navan; Monaghan: St McCartan's; Offaly: Edenderry National School Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada; Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire, Coolanarney, Blue Ball, Tullamore; Roscommon: Boyle Parochial National School; Boyle Cloverhill National School; Roscommon Scoil Náisiúnta Treasa, Ballinafad; Sligo: Sligo VEC; Tipperary: Cashel Community School; Tyrone: St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon; Waterford: Ard Scoil na nDéise¨; Westmeath: Coralstown National School Mullingar; Educate Together, Cullion; St Mary's Athlone; Wexford: Scoil Náisiúnta Bunclody Boys; Scoil Mhuire, Enniscorthy; St John of God's Convent (Faythe National School) Wexford; Wicklow: Newcourt Special School, Bray; Nun's Cross National School, Ashford; Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire agus Gearard, Enniskerry
