County Clare will see another of its countrymen take the highest office in the land today..
Michael D Higgins will become the ninth president of Ireland at an inauguration ceremony in Dublin Castle this lunchtime..
Events will get underway just before midday with a service of prayer before the Newmarket on Fergus man will declare the oath and receive his presidential seal of office.
He will then deliver his inaugural 12 minute speech and inspect a guard of honour before an air corp fly past and a 21 gun salute.
The Clare man and his wife Sabina will then be escorted to his new home at Aras an Uachtaráin.
Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore says its a proud day for his party which nominated Michael D Higgins.
And he says he’s a president who will do the country proud:
As Michael D Higgins becomes Ireland’s 9th President, County Clare will be officially represented by Mayor Pat Hayes.
Clare Councillors are hoping to have an opportunity to welcome President Higgins home to Newmarket on Fergus in the near future, but Councillor Hayes says he’s delighted to be invited to today’s inauguration
Among the crowds making their way to Dublin Castle for today’s inauguration, Pupils from one Ennis National School will also be in attendance.
The ten 5th and 6th class students from Educate Together National School on the Gort Road in Ennis have been invited to Dublin Castle to greet Michael D. Higgins after he becomes the country’s first citizen.
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