The five-month-old Bernese Mountain Dog looked delighted to be out and about at Áras an Uachtaráin and the President has now shared what the pup's name is. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency from 1981 to 1982 and 1987 to 2011. The President, Michael D Higgins, has signed into law a controversial bill sealing the records of Mother and Baby homes for 30 years. "[112], Higgins has voiced his support for the Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, an organisation which campaigns for democratic reformation of the United Nations, and the creation of a more accountable international political system. [44] Higgins promised he would be a neutral president if elected and not be a "handmaiden" to the government. He studied at the University College Galway, the University of Manchester and Indiana University. The presidential statement tonight read: "President Michael D. Higgins, having given careful consideration to all constitutional and other aspects of the ‘Commission of Investigation (Mother … [14][15] He resigned his academic posts to concentrate fully on his political career. Higgins was appointed in 1973 to the 13th Seanad Éireann by Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave. The Australian songbird that’s 'forgotten its song' Video, The Australian songbird that’s 'forgotten its song', The scars left by a school bombing. [33], In September 2010, Higgins indicated that he was interested in receiving the Labour Party's nomination for the 2011 presidential election. Although she never received a service pension, details of her work are outlined in her application. The presidential statement tonight read: "President Michael D. Higgins, having given careful consideration to all constitutional and other aspects of the ‘Commission of Investigation (Mother … He also has a family home in Galway. President Michael D Higgins has said that the “State must bare responsibility” for the mother and baby homes. He also served as President of UCG Students' Union in 1964–65. On 11 November 2018, Higgins was inaugurated as president of Ireland in St. Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle, in a ceremony attended by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and former presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, as well as representatives of all political parties. [84] The presidential Christmas messages delivered by Higgins from 2011 to 2013 did not mention Christianity or religion, which was criticised by the Defence Forces' chaplain in a homily on Christmas Eve 2013. Born in Limerick, Ireland #2. He went to Ballycar National School for early education. [69] He attended the Bon Secours Hospital in Galway on 13 December for surgery on the kneecap that was broken in a fall during a visit to Buenaventura, Colombia in 2010. [100] His personal notes and work books reside at the National Library of Ireland. [113], Higgins's eclectic mix of interests also extends to sport; he is a regular at the Galway Races each summer. While taking a walk through Phoenix Park over the weekend, EVOKE spotted that the Irish President was training his new pup. President Michael D Higgins is an avid animal lover, which is clear to see from the sheer joy you can see on his face when he plays with his dogs. MICHAEL D Higgins has acknowledged that the “State and Church bear a heavy responsibility” for failing tens of thousands of young women and children who ended up in mother-and-baby homes across Ireland. [86] He also met various people, including the British Prime Minister, David Cameron,[87] and opposition party leaders at Westminster, and the Lord Mayor of London. [118], For other people named Michael Higgins, see, Documentary about Michael D. Higgins (family, career, and presidential campaign), Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, first state visit to the United Kingdom by an Irish president, Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, "Michael D. Higgins elected President of Ireland", "Higgins declared president elect with one million votes", "Michael D. Higgins wins Irish presidential election", "How Michael D Higgins's father fought for Irish independence", "Files reveal President Higgins' father's role in independence", "President returns to Clare to his childhood school", "IU extends congratulations to alumnus who will become Ireland's ninth president", "Irish President meets University President", "Michael's rise from humble beginnings to first citizen – Independent.ie", "President Michael Higgins Visits the Midwest", "Michael D Higgins, Ireland's 'political intellectual, "Michael D. Higgins | president of Ireland", "Sean's fava beans and Chianti on hold as hopefuls start softly", El presidente irlandés dedica tres semanas del verano a aprender español en la UIMP, "Mayo well represented at presidential inauguration", "President's daughter to stand for Seanad", "Micheal D. Higgins is the 9th President of Ireland:Pets", "President Higgins announces death of his dog Síoda", "Pillars of Society – Michael D. Higgins pg40", "From two-bed Dublin flat to the delights of the Aras for Michael D", "Higgins seeks Labour Party nomination for presidency", "Higgins 'likely' to get the nod for Aras race", "I'm younger than Gaybo and Trapattoni ... but if elected President, I'll only serve one term", "Labour chooses Higgins as its presidency candidate", "Higgins wins Labour presidential nomination", "Gay senator leads race for Ireland president", "Michael D. Higgins asks Labour councillors to back Norris candidacy", "Áras candidates take part in Today FM debate", "Higgins admits he smoked dope – and yes, he inhaled", "Higgins vows to remain neutral if elected", "It's official: Michael D Higgins is elected as Ireland's next president with over 1m votes", "Michael D Higgins becomes Irish president", "President-elect Michael D Higgins welcomed home to Galway", "Irish president-elect Michael D Higgins welcomed home", "5,000 greet President-elect in Galway City", "Higgins to win Irish presidency as rival concedes", "Irish Screen Legend Tóibín Picks Up IFTA Lifetime Award", "Nine News: President-elect dons football colours", "Monaghan join topflight as Galway go down", "Inaugural speech of President Michael D Higgins", "Humanist element to inauguration of Higgins", "Higher or lower: how does Michael D's new salary compare to other heads of state? [85], In April 2014, Higgins paid the first state visit to the United Kingdom by an Irish president. The President’s pooches Síoda and Bród gained celebrity status in Ireland, as they were regularly seen prancing around Áras an Uachtaráin. [97][98] He has contributed widely to political and philosophical journals on numerous subjects, among them ideology, the sociology of literature, clientism in politics, regionalism and the politics of the media. [90] Higgins won the 2018 presidential election with 56% of the vote on the first count (822,566). President Michael D Higgins last night signed the Mother and Baby Homes Bill into law which will seal records for 30 years. The institutions housed women and girls who became pregnant outside marriage in the 19th and 20th Centuries. He has also previously served as President of Galway United F.C., is a well known football supporter and regularly attends League of Ireland games. [13], In October 2010, he announced he would not be standing at the 2011 general election. [7][8], When John's father's health grew poor, with alcohol abuse as a contributing factor, John sent Michael, aged five, and his four-year-old brother to live on his unmarried uncle and aunt's farm near Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare. He praises Mother Jones as a catalyst for change and an emancipatory figure to whom we all owe a great deal of gratitude. [72][73] He made his first official visit to his alma mater NUI Galway on 24 February, where he opened an autism centre. [70], Higgins made his first official trip abroad when he went to London on 21 February 2012. Education: The education details are not available at this time. Within the Labour Party during the 1980s he was one of the main figures, along with Emmet Stagg, who opposed going into coalition. There has been much confusion and … His father, John Higgins originally from Clare, was active in the War of Independence. [10], As an undergraduate at University College Galway (UCG), he served as Vice-Auditor of the college's Literary and Debating Society in 1963–64, and rose to the position of Auditor in the 1964–65 academic year. Michael D. Higgins has gotten a new Bernese Mountain pup, following the death of his beloved dog Síoda. [115][116] Higgins subsequently attended the inaugural final at Richmond Park on 2 March 2014. When his father’s health grew poor, his mother sent Michael and his younger brother to live with his uncle and aunt on their farm in County Clare. [37][38] His candidacy was endorsed by Hollywood actor Martin Sheen, who described Higgins as a "dear friend". [81] On 29 July 2013, he convened a meeting of the Council of State, the first of his presidency, to consult on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013. "Our focus now, as a state and as a community, must be to urgently meet the needs of, and address the concerns of the survivors and their families, as they have experienced and expressed them, and do whatever is necessary to support them.". Michael D. Higgins Popularity . IRISH President Michael D Higgins said the State and Catholic church must bear a “heavy responsibility” for violating the rights of Mother and Baby Homes survivors. About 9,000 children died in the 18 institutions under investigation. [23][25] He had two Bernese Mountain Dogs named Bród and Síoda (Pride and Silk);[26] Síoda died in 2020. [49][50][51] International media coverage of his win reported his humble background, poetry and intellect,[52] with The Washington Post noting "local satirists sometimes depict him as an elf, hobbit or leprechaun talking in riddles and verse". [40][41], Higgins was confronted by former Tara mines workers while canvassing in Meath. Read about our approach to external linking. [93], On 3 July 2019, Higgins began a three-day state visit to Germany. ", "President Michael D Higgins requests his salary cut to $336,755", "President Higgins asks for 23.5% pay cut", "Derry to host Michael D Higgins first offical [, "Cabinet to approve official visit to North", "New Irish president Higgins' first NI visit", "Michael D Higgins to undergo knee surgery", "President Higgins to make official London trip", "Irish President Michael D Higgins visits London", "President Higgins to open NUIG autism centre", "President hits out at racism, homophobia", "Government Minister to Confer Order of Clans of Ireland", "President Higgins becomes 28th Freeman of Galway", "President Michael D Higgins to visit South America", "President signs legislation to liquidate IBRC into law", "Higgins to consult Council of State on abortion Bill", "President Higgins to convene meeting of Council of State to consult on abortion legislation", "Departure focuses attention on presidential management team", "President Higgins to address Houses of Parliament", "President Higgins makes State Visit to China 7–15 December", "President Higgins criticised for praising 'brutal dictator' Castro", "Michael D Higgins to seek second term as president", "Higgins begins preparations for second term after landslide victory", "President stresses need for diversity and inclusion in speech", "Seven are appointed to Council of State", "President appoints three from old college to Council of State", "Galway-bias as President Michael D unveils Council of State appointees", "Michael D Higgins: Ireland's poet president", "Michael Daniel Higgins, the man who will be Ireland's new president", "Profile: Michael D Higgins: politics and poetry", "Seamus Heaney declutters home and donates personal notes to National Library", "Poetry tells you what is in a man's soul – loneliness, loss and love of animals are themes in Michael D's verse", "President Michael D Higgins releases text of his new poem", "Delinquent Genius: The Strange Affair of Man and His Technology", "Michael D Higgins TD speaking on the Dáil motion about Interception of Gaza humanitarian Flotilla", "Feral rioters all have one thing in common – a lack of father figures", "Michael D Higgins Interview: Statesman of the game", "President Michael D Higgins unveils Cup for new competition between SSE Airtricity League and FAI Cup winners", "President attends the inaugural President's Cup fixture", "It's all thanks to the Saw Doctors that Michael D's Rockin in the Aras", "Higgins returns to scene of massacre with clear message: never forget", Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_D._Higgins&oldid=1011023328, Members of Seanad Éireann for the National University of Ireland, Articles with Spanish-language sources (es), Articles with dead external links from June 2017, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from September 2017, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, All Wikipedia articles written in Hiberno-English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2012, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2020, Pages using Sister project links with wikidata mismatch, Pages using Sister project links with wikidata namespace mismatch, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Deirdre Heenan – Provost and Dean of Academic Development at the University of Ulster, Gerard Quinn – Director of the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at the NUI Galway School of Law, Foreword to "Delinquent Genius: The Strange Affair of Man and His Technology" by, This page was last edited on 8 March 2021, at 16:37. President Michael D Higgins has responded to the publication of the report on mother-and-baby homes saying that the State must bear primary responsibility for failing to provide appropriate supports for tens of thousands of young women and their children. While visiting Germany, Higgins met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier. They have four children. [18], His wife, Sabina Higgins (née Coyne), is an actress and a native of Cloonrane,[19] a townland in County Galway[20][21] near Ballindine, County Mayo. [53] He is the first President of Ireland to have served in both Houses of the Oireachtas, having previously been a member of Dáil Éireann (Lower House) and Seanad Éireann (Upper House). His elder twin sisters remained in Limerick. [91] His nearest rival, Peter Casey, finished on 23% (342,727). Welcoming the report's publication, Mr Higgins said: "The Commission of Investigation's report reminds us of how far short Ireland fell of fulfilling the promise of our Republic, and of how, the violation of fundamental rights of our fellow citizens was condoned over an extended period of time. Higgins' second presidential inauguration took place on 11 November 2018. "Publication of this report is not a conclusion, but an indication of the further work that is required to bring to light a fuller understanding of what occurred, and why, and the need to vindicate the rights of those women and children who resided in these homes.". "State and Church bear a heavy responsibility for this," said Mr Higgins. At his alma mater, he served as the president of the students’ union. [62] He receives an annual salary of €250,000,[63] having requested during his first term that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform reduce his salary by 23.5% from €325,000. He served as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht from 1993 to 1997 and Mayor of Galway from 1981 to 1982 and 1990 to 1991. In a statement, President Michael D. Higgins said he welcomed the publication of the report and said his thoughts are with those impacted by mother and baby homes. He was a factory worker and a clerk before becoming the first in his family to access higher education. First Name Michael #40. "Those statements are such powerful revelations of a society, church, a state and their institutions that contradict the traits of any real republic built on equal rights of citizens, care, true freedom, solidarity and compassion," he said. [16], He is a fluent Irish language speaker[17] and also speaks Spanish. [61] The ceremony had a humanist element, alongside Christian, Jewish and Muslim ones. In 1967, Higgins graduated from the American Indiana University Bloomington with a Master of Arts degree in Sociology. Politicians. Michael D. Higgins is set to get a new pet, following the death of his beloved dog Síoda. What happens to your body in extreme heat? Michael Daniel Higgins (Irish: Mícheál Dónal Ó hUigínn; born 18 April 1941) is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, and broadcaster,[2] who has served as the ninth president of Ireland since November 2011. He made the first state visit by an Irish president to the United Kingdom in April 2014. [42] Higgins was also pursued by his past links to the Fianna Fáil party, and admitted on 13 October that he had been elected chairman of the UCG Fianna Fáil university cumann in 1966. October 25 2020 11:10 PM President Michael D Higgins has signed the Mother and Baby Homes Bill after giving “careful consideration” to all aspects of the … [102], Among Higgins' poems are "The death of the Red Cow" and "The Ass", an ode to a donkey. Higgins appointed his Council of State nominees on 6 January 2012. In 2005, in response to a column for the Irish Independent by Kevin Myers about the riots then erupting across immigrant areas in France and Britain, he said "the contents of his column today go beyond his usually crafted cowardice, staying one step on the safe side of prosecution for incitement to hatred or racism. The ceremony was held in the evening, so that Higgins could attend Armistice Day commemorations in the morning. He was a senator from 1973 to 1977, after being nominated by the taoiseachan… [64][65], Higgins travelled to Derry to attend the final of the All-Ireland school choir of the year competition on 13 November 2011, for his first official presidential engagement in Northern Ireland. Opponent of the bill have expressed concern that the transfer of data from the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation over to the new Tusla system will leave survivors unable to access crucial information. Michael D Higgins father’s name is under review and mother unknown at this time. [75] Addressing a conference organised by youth organisation Foróige on 24 March 2012, Higgins described homophobia and racism in Ireland as a "blight on society". On 10 July 2018, Higgins announced that he would stand for a second term as president in the 2018 Irish presidential election. [11] He also briefly attended the University of Manchester. On 25 August 2018, Higgins received Pope Francis at Áras an Uachtaráin during the Pope's visit to Ireland. [57][58][59][60], Higgins was inaugurated as President of Ireland at Dublin Castle on 11 November 2011. Michael Daniel Higgins is a politician from Ireland who has served as the country’s president since 2011. Aries Politician #2. Higgins attained the largest personal mandate in the history of the Republic of Ireland, with 822,566 first preference votes. Most Popular #8591. He served as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht from 1993 to 1997 and Mayor of Galway from 1981 to 1982 and 1990 to 1991. We will continue to update details on Michael D Higgins’s family. [43] While at university in the United States he had, he admitted that he smoked marijuana. [27], Higgins originally joined Fianna Fáil in UCG while a mature student and was elected its branch chairman in 1966; he switched to the Labour Party shortly thereafter. President Higgins said there was now a responsibility to move "without delay" to the next phase. The departure raised criticism over presidential management of the team.