Michael D. Higgins
Michael Daniel Higgins (born 18 April 1941) is the ninth and current President of Ireland. He took office on 11 November 2011.[2] Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster.[3]
Michael D. Higgins | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Michael D. Higgins in April 2015 | |
| 9th Taoiseach | |
| Assumed office 11 November 2011 | |
| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny Leo Varadkar Micheál Martin Leo Varadkar |
| Preceded by | Mary McAleese |
| Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht | |
| In office 15 December 1994 – 26 June 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Bertie Ahern |
| Succeeded by | Síle de Valera |
| In office 12 January 1993 – 17 November 1994 | |
| Preceded by | John Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Bertie Ahern |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office 17 February 1987 – 25 February 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Fintan Coogan |
| Succeeded by | Derek Nolan |
| In office 11 June 1981 – 24 November 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | Fintan Coogan |
| Constituency | Galway West |
| Senator | |
| In office 23 February 1983 – 3 April 1987 | |
| Constituency | National University of Ireland |
| In office 1 June 1973 – 26 May 1977 | |
| Constituency | Taoiseach's nominee |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Daniel Higgins 18 April 1941 Limerick, Ireland |
| Political party | Independent, Labour Party (1968–2011) |
| Spouse(s) | Sabina Coyne (m. 1974) [1] |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University College, Galway Indiana University, Bloomington University of Manchester |
Higgins was a Teachta Dála (TD) and represented the Galway West constituency. He also was the Minister for Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht from 1993 to 1997. Higgins was the President of the Labour Party from 2003 until his election to the presidency in 2011.
Higgins is known because he was the first president to make a state visit to the United Kingdom.[4]
Early life
Higgins was born on the 18 April 1941. His father's name was John and he was from Ballycar, County Clare. His father was a member of the militant group, the Irish Republican Army. His fathers rank was a 2nd Lieutenant. He served alongside his brother Peter and Michael.
In the 1970s and some of the 1980s, Michael was involved in University and College positions, but later moved to politics in 1987.
On 11 November 2011, Michael D. Higgins became the 9th President of Ireland, after Mary McAleese. It was the first time the President of Ireland has been a male since Patrick Hillery left in 1990.
Personal life
Higgins studied at University College, Galway, at Indiana University, Bloomington, and at the University of Manchester. Higgins has been married to Sabina Coyne since 1974. They have four children.
Michael D. Higgins Media
Higgins and Ivana Bacik campaigning during the 2011 presidential race
Higgins meets with First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, June 2016
Higgins received the Order of Clans of Ireland in April 2012. Also pictured are Sabina Higgins (left) and Dr. Michael J. Egan, Chairman of Clans of Ireland (right)
Higgins meets with U.S. President Joe Biden and rings the Peace Bell, April 2023
A piece of Higgins' poetry on a plaque in Cahir.
Higgins, Derek Nolan and Eamon Gilmore on the campaign trail, Galway, 2008
Related pages
References
- ↑ "Michael D. Higgins elected President of Ireland". RTÉ News. 29 October 2011. http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1029/vote_tracker.html. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
- ↑ "Michael D. Higgins wins Irish presidential election". The Daily Telegraph (London). 31 May 2011. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8856598/Michael-D.-Higgins-wins-Irish-presidential-election.html. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ↑ O'Leary, Jennifer (28 October 2011). "Who is Michael D Higgins?". BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15500225. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- ↑ "In pictures: Irish President Michael D Higgins visits UK". BBC. 8 April 2014.
Other websites
Media related to Michael D. Higgins at Wikimedia Commons
Works written by or about Michael D. Higgins at Wikisource- Biography at Áras an Uachtaráin website
- Documentary about Michael D. Higgins (family, career, and presidential campaign) on YouTube, TG4, 2011.
- Presidential election acceptance speech (RTÉ video in Irish and English)
- Presidential inauguration speech (Text)
- Audio recording of speech[dead link] opening the G. B. Shaw: Back in Town conference, Dublin 2012
- Henry, William (2002). Role of Honour: The Mayors of Galway City 1485–2001. Galway: Galway City Council.
