Inauguration For Irish President Higgins

Michael D Higgins has been inaugurated Ireland's ninth president - after vowing to play an energetic role in helping turn around the country's fortunes.

The President-elect and his wife Sabina Coyne arrived at Dublin Castle in a 1947 Rolls-Royce, with motorcycles of the 2nd Cavalry Squadron providing the escort.

Having been invited by the chief justice, the 70-year-old took the declaration of office in his native tongue. A former culture minister, he is an Irish language enthusiast.

Dignitaries in attendance included immediate past presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese. The latter stepped down at midnight on Thursday - she has been head of state for the last 14 years.

In a statement last night, the Irish premier Enda Kenny paid tribute to president McAleese.

"She travels out into a country so much better for her being its president," Mr Kenny said.

He commended the president's response to the Omagh bombing and 9/11 and described the Queen's historic visit as the moment outgoing president Mary McAleese brought Ireland to "that place of ultimate reconciliation".

Her successor won a landslide victory in the election at the end of last month.

He is a veteran politician, a sociology professor and has had three volumes of poetry published.

Following his inaugural address, Mr Higgins will be driven through Dublin to his official residence in the Phoenix Park.

The Irish government was expected to host a reception in his honour this evening.

Mr Higgins has clearly stated his intention to create a new kind of Irishness, one that does not value people in terms of what they are perceived to have accumulated.