List of Presidents of Ireland
| President of Ireland Uachtarán na hÉireann (Irish) |
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| Style |
President (Uachtarán) or Your Excellency (A Shoilse) |
| Residence | Áras an Uachtaráin |
| Seat | Dublin |
| Appointer | Popular vote |
| Term length | Seven years (renewable once) |
| Inaugural holder | Douglas Hyde |
| Formation | 25 June 1938 |
| Salary | €250,000 |
| Website | www |
The President of Ireland (Irish: Uachtarán na hÉireann, /ˈuəxtərɑːn nə hˈɛərən/) is the head of state of Ireland and the Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence Forces.
The President holds office for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. Unless a candidate runs unopposed, the President is directly elected by the people. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute discretion. The President acts as a representative of the Irish state. Former President Mary McAleese described the office as 'the guardian of the constitution'. The President's official residence is Áras an Uachtaráin, which is located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. The office was established by the Constitution of Ireland in 1937, and became internationally recognised as head of state in 1949 following the coming into force of the Republic of Ireland Act.
The current president is His Excellency Michael D Higgins, who was elected on 29 October 2011. His inauguration was held on 11 November 2011. President Higgins is a veteran left-wing politician and human rights campaigner. As a member of the Labour Party, he has served in both houses of the Oireachtas. President Higgins is also a poet and speaks the Irish language fluently.
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