Friends and supporters of Catherine Connolly gathered in Galway to watch today's inauguration on television.
A group of around 80 people braved torrential rain in the city to meet in a local bar, where the proceedings in Dublin Castle were shown on a big screen.
Many were involved in the so-called 'movement’ that coalesced around the candidacy of the former Galway West TD.
Among them Sheila Garrity, who previously worked on Ms Connolly’s local and general election campaigns. She said today was a day for celebration and a reward for all those who worked to elect the new President.
She said volunteers were attracted to support the Galwegian, due to her longstanding commitments to human rights and social justice.
"She’s a woman of integrity, she’s a woman of deep thought and reflection. I’m sure she’s going to approach the issues of State in her new role, from that place of thoughtfulness and reflection," she said.
Those sentiments were echoed by several others who knocked on doors around the Galway West and Galway East constituencies in recent months.
Margaret Brehony said she felt elated to be watching the inauguration. "It’s such a wonderful day for the people of Ireland and a fantastic day for Galway to be able to celebrate Catherine Connolly becoming our tenth President," she said.
Others mentioned the new Head of State’s commitment to the Irish language and the appeal she had to young, first time voters.
But most of all there was a sense of achievement, joy and happiness as supporters watched the President take her oath of office.
And while it wasn’t centre stage today, there was talk too of what happens to the ‘movement’ that sprang up around the candidacy of Catherine Connolly.
Campaigners plan to discuss their next steps on how they might build on the Presidential campaign, when a by-election is called to fill the seat left vacant in Galway West by her elevation.
There’s a general sense of momentum that might be harnessed from the combination of political parties and unaligned individuals that worked to secure the Connolly Presidency.
All are keen to emphasise that they’re just 'tyre-kicking' possible approaches and certainly making no firm commitments on how things may proceed.
But it will be interesting to see how this might evolve during the forthcoming by-election.
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