Michael D Higgins sworn in as President of Ireland

Nov 11, 2011, 14:21 GMT

By Fiona Smith, dpa =

Dublin (dpa) - Ireland's new president Michael D Higgins said he was confident the country could 'transcend present difficulties' and rebuild a 'sustainable and profoundly ethical society' after he was sworn in at Dublin Castle Friday.

His 'transforming' presidency would 'open a new chapter based on a different version of our Irishness,' said Higgins, a former Labour arts minister in his inaugural address.

Higgins, who is Ireland's ninth president, hoped to help create a society based on 'active, inclusive citizenship and an Ireland of which we can be proud.'

Referring to a 'wounded society, broken expectations and unacceptable unemployment', the president said it was time to turn to an 'older wisdom, recognising many of the most valuable things in life cannot be measured'.

After an inter-faith service and humanist reflection at Dublin Castle at noon, Higgins made the declaration of office and was sworn in by the Chief Justice, Justice Susan Denham in the presence of the Taoiseach (prime minister) Enda Kenny and the cabinet.

Higgins, a poet and human rights activist, would bring 'nobility of heart, mind and spirit to the office, said the Taoiseach, and would be a president of 'healing and transformation.'

Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness - who was himself an unsuccessful candidate in the election - were among the guests at the ceremony, in which 300 members of the defence forces participated.

A 21-gun-salute sounded at Collins Barracks and Higgins inspected a guard of honour in Dublin Castle Yard with the Air Corps providing a fly past.

After the ceremony, President Higgins and his wife Sabina Coyne, greeted crowds of wellwishers before being escorted to their new home, Aras an Uachtarain, in Dublin's Phoenix Park.

The Taoiseach also paid tribute during the ceremony to outgoing president Mary McAleese, who performed the last of her official duties Thursday.

He praised Mc Aleese's 14-year presidency, which was concerned with 'building bridges' between the two communities across the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland.

Celebrations were set to continue Friday evening with a state banquet at Dublin Castle.

President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso was among those sending message of congratulations to the new president.

'You are taking office at an important time, as Ireland takes resolute action to address difficult economic circumstances and in doing so, is setting an example for other countries facing similar challenges,' he said.