Speeches by President of Ireland

On Tuesday 25 June 2024, the President and Sabina Higgins hosted the fourth in a series of seven garden parties being held at Áras an Uachtarain this summer. In his speech the President highlighted the work of those who have enriched the lives of others and who provide support services and the hand of friendship to those within our society who are in special need of care or assistance. The traditi...

On Saturday, 22th June 2024, the President and Sabina Higgins hosted a Family Day garden party at Áras an Uachtaráin. At the third Garden Party of 2024, President Higgins acknowledged various organisations across different sectors of society all of whom work tirelessly to improve the conditions for families in all their forms.

The President and Sabina Higgins hosted a Garden Party celebrating communities in all their diversities. In his speech the President acknowledged members of communities, community groups and activists who are building inclusive communities across Ireland. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-host-a-garden-party-celebrating-communities-in-all-their-diversities-2024

Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina hosted a Bloomsday Garden Party at Áras an Uachtaráin. Bloomsday, 16 June 1904, is the date immortalised in James Joyce’s 1922 novel Ulysses and named after the book’s protagonist Leopold Bloom. Each year, the President and Sabina commence their series of summer Garden Parties with a special event to celebrate the work of Jame...

President Higgins has been chosen by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to be the recipient of the organisation’s Agricola Medal. The medal, which bears the Latin name for farmer, is conferred upon international figures who have undertaken outstanding efforts in advancing the cause of global food security, poverty alleviation and nutrition. President Higgins,the firs...

President Higgins hosted a reception for the Chief Justice and Presidents of the Supreme Courts at Áras an Uachtaráin to mark 100 years since the enactment of the Courts of Justice Act 1924.

President Higgins hosted a dinner for His Excellency, Mr. Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy at Áras an Uachtaráin. The dinner follows the October 2023 meeting between the two Presidents as part of a five-day programme which President Higgins undertook in Rome and the Holy See to coincide with his participation in the 2023 World Food Forum. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-...

President Higgins addressed the Annual Dóchas Conference. Dóchas is an Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations Founded from the belief that every human being is fundamentally equal, working to protect and support the most vulnerable in society. This year’s conference titled 'Dóchas at 50: Sustainable Development in a Time of Climate Crisis’, celebrated five decades of colla...

President Higgins delivered the inaugural lecture in a new annual series of lectures which will run at the University of Manchester. Titled the John Kennedy Lecture Series, the lectures will run for five years as part of the University’s School of Arts, Languages and Cultures. The title of the inaugural lecture, presented by President Higgins, is ‘Of the consciousness our times need in responding...

President Higgins was conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa by the Chancellor of the University of Manchester, Nazir Afzal OBE, in recognition of his extensive and significant contributions to literature and public life. The citation was read by Professor John McAuliffe, Reader in Modern Literature and Creative Writing and Co-Director of the New Writing Centre at the Univers...

On Sunday 28 January, President Higgins delivered the keynote address at the Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration. The annual Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration cherishes the memory of all who perished in the Holocaust. It recalls six million Jewish men, women and children and millions of others who were persecuted and murdered by the Nazis because of their ethnicity, disability, sexual orientat...

President Higgins opened the 2024 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. The event brings together some of the country’s brightest young minds as they compete to take home the title of BT Young Scientist & Technologist of the Year.

Christmas Message From President Higgins 2023 by Áras an Uachtaráin

Teachtaireacht Na Nollag Ón Uachtarán Ó HUigínn 2023 by Áras an Uachtaráin

On Saturday 9 December, President Michael D. Higgins switched on the Christmas tree lights at Áras an Uachtaráin. Each year, the President and Sabina Higgins welcome families to Áras an Uachtaráin, to be present for the official switching on of the Christmas lights. Since his inauguration, President Higgins has made a determined effort to open Áras an Uachtaráin to members of the public, and he ha...

President Higgins launched Volumes 1 and 2 of collected work from his Machnamh 100 series at a reception in Áras an Uachtaráin. Machnamh 100 is an initiative of President Higgins that builds on his extensive work to date during Ireland’s Decade of Commemorations that has examined and explored seminal events such as the Lockout of 1913, the First World War, The Easter Rising, the Flu Pandemic, the...

President Higgins delivered the Economic and Social Research Institute's 2023 Geary Lecture at an event in Áras an Uachtaráin. The Geary lecture is organised each year by the ESRI and honours Dr R. C. Geary (1896 –1983), the first Director of the Institute. Dr Geary is regarded as the most eminent Irish statistician of the twentieth century. Lectures have been given by some of the world’s foremost...

President Higgins hosted a special reception to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims at Áras an Uachtaráin where he welcomed a number of family members of those who have tragically lost their lives on the road, as well as committee members of victim’s groups. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-a-reception-to-mark-world-day-of-remembrance-for-road-traffic-victim...

President Higgins delivered a keynote address the Closing Ceremony of the World Food Forum on Friday 20th October. The Closing Ceremony was attended by member Representatives as well as all participants of the World Food Forum including members and those participating in the youth, science and investment forums. The President addressed the topic: "What advice would you give to the youth to achieve...

President Higgins launched the Ireland and the Birth of Europe exhibition, part of a series of events to mark 50 years of Ireland’s EU membership, at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-opens-exhibition-ireland-and-the-birth-of-europe

President Higgins held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries. Ireland is a founding member of IFAD...

On the occasion of President Michael D. Higgins’ visit to Rome, H.E. Patricia O’Brien, Ambassador of Ireland to Italy and H.E. Frances Collins, Ambassador of Ireland to Holy See, hosted a reception at the Villa Spada, the residence of the Ambassador of Ireland to Italy, for selected representatives of the Irish community. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-attend-a-receptio...

At the invitation of the Director General of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Dr. QU Dongyu, President Higgins delivered a speech at the World Food Forum grand opening ceremony.

At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, President Higgins participated in a meeting of the ‘Arraiolos Group’ of EU Presidents. The meeting was attended by14 non-executive Presidents of European Union member states who discussed contemporary issues. The Arraiolos Group is an informal meeting of Presidents of European Union member states. Meeting...

President Higgins formally opened the National Ploughing Championships, taking place place in Ratheniska, Co. Laois. The President has attended the Ploughing Championships since his inauguration in 2011, and has described the festival as “an outstanding example of the Irish genius” and “the most beloved rendez-vous in Ireland’s rural calendar.”