Catherine Connolly to Officially Move into Áras an Uachtaráin

Catherine Connolly, Ireland’s newly elected president, will officially move into Áras an Uachtaráin on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. The transition comes after a delay due to maintenance work at the official residence located in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Connolly, who was elected as the country’s 10th president in November 2023, has been residing at the Steward’s Lodge at nearby Farmleigh House during this period.

A spokesperson for President Connolly confirmed that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has completed necessary preparations for her move. “The OPW have completed their preparations and the President is due to move into the Áras this week,” the spokesperson stated.

Connolly will be returning to Dublin for her first official engagement of the New Year, where she will serve as the guest of honour at the Young Scientist Competition held at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS).

While Connolly’s inauguration was a stylish affair last November, her inability to take up residence in Áras an Uachtaráin until now was due to renovations following the departure of her predecessor, Michael D Higgins, and his wife, Sabina. The couple vacated the residence on the eve of Connolly’s inauguration, leaving the space requiring minor repairs and updates.

As Ireland’s head of state, Connolly will be in residence for the next seven years, during which she is entitled to a salary of just under €340,000 annually. Recent budget figures reveal that the cost of operating the presidential office is projected to rise by €674,000 to a total of €6.2 million in the upcoming year. This increase is attributed to plans for expanding staff and enhancing services associated with the office.

The number of personnel working at Áras an Uachtaráin is set to grow from 31 to 33 by 2026, leading to a 9 percent increase in wages, salaries, and allowances, which will exceed €2.8 million. The payroll includes a diverse team of approximately 18 chefs and catering staff, responsible for providing meals for the president and her guests, alongside an executive head chef, an assistant chef, a cook, and a catering and services captain.

As Connolly prepares for her new role, her move into the official residence symbolizes the beginning of her term as president, marking a significant moment in Irish politics.