Téigh ar Ais
Gearrthóga Fuaime
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Speech to Irish diaspora in Warwick, Queensland Speech to Irish diaspora in Warwick, Queensland
The President met with members of the Irish community in Warwick and Queensland.
Bhuail an tUachtarán le baill an phobail Éireannaigh in Warwick agus Queensland.
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Speech at an event hosted by Tourism Ireland in Sydney’s Botanical Garden Speech at an event hosted by Tourism Ireland in Sydney’s Botanical Garden
(Introduction: Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland)
In Sydney's Botanic Gardens, the President addressed participants at an event hosted by Tourism Ireland.
Labhair an tUachtarán le rannpháirtithe ag imeacht a d’eagraigh Turasóireacht Éireann i nGairdíní na Lus in Sydney.
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Sharing the Task of Ethical Remembering - Speech at the University of New South Wales Sharing the Task of Ethical Remembering - Speech at the University of New South Wales
"In our present circumstances, when anger is the temper of our times, we need to use our words for healing rather than wounding."
The President gave an address at the University of New South Wales on Ethical Remembering, one of the key themes in the President's work.
Thug an tUachtarán aitheasc in Ollscoil New South Wales dar teideal ‘Ethical Remembering’.
Is príomhthéama in obair an Uachtaráin an chuimhne eiticiúil.
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Speech at the Australian Rugby Union High Performance Centre, Sydney Speech at the Australian Rugby Union High Performance Centre, Sydney
In Sydney, President Higgins visited the soon-to-be-opened Australia Rugby Union High Performance Centre at Moore Park.
The Australia Rugby Union has partnered with the University of Technology in Sydney for the development of the Centre, at the ARU's headquarters.
In his speech to the ARU and representatives of the Lansdowne Club, the President spoke of the historic rugby links between Australia and Ireland. The President also reiterated his "full support" for Ireland's 2023 Rugby World Cup bid - something the President had done earlier this year, including in March this year, when he received delegates of World Rugby at Áras an Uachtaráin.
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Address at an event for Australian and Irish business leaders, Sydney Opera House Address at an event for Australian and Irish business leaders, Sydney Opera House
In Sydney's opera house, the President met with Australian and Irish business leaders. 56 Irish companies have joined the President on his State Visit; among them 21 companies that travelled to Australia for the first time. The State Visit aims to strengthen links between Ireland and Australia, in the fields of trade, tourism, sports, arts and culture. The President encouraged Australian companies to connect with Irish businesses.
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Speech at the Unveiling of the ‘Footsteps’ Statues, in Hobart, the capital of Tasmania Speech at the Unveiling of the ‘Footsteps’ Statues, in Hobart, the capital of Tasmania
In Hobart today, in Tasmania, Sculptor Rowan Gillespie thanked President Higgins for attending the unveiling of "Footsteps".
The four bronze sculptures commemorate the convict women and their children who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land and disembarked on the Hobart waterfront.
Around 14,000 Irish convicts, both men and women, were transported to Van Diemen's Land. The majority of these arrived after 1840 in the lead-up and during the Great Famine.
In his speech at the unveiling ceremony, President Higgins said they were "victims of a harsh judicial system that valued property above people’s lives."
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Keynote speech at the University of Melbourne Keynote speech at the University of Melbourne
President Higgins delivered a keynote speech at the University of Melbourne, entitled "The Economic Debate - The Australian/Irish Dimensions."
In his speech, the President outlined the history of economic theory and academic thought, and made the case for a re-introduction of moral and ethical considerations in economic decision-making, and a re-assertion of ‘the common good’ as an important value, to counter the effects of the assumed spirit of selfishness and perfect market competition that underpins much contemporary economic discourse.
The President also warned of the effects of fracturing social cohesion, “as our societies become increasingly divided between what one refers to as ‘the lucky’ and ‘the left out’, arguing for greater emphasis on education for “fiscal and economic literacy”, which the President argues “may be as import to cohesion, citizenship and democracy itself, as mass literacy was in previous centuries to universal suffrage, parliamentary democracy and the sovereignty of the people.”
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Address at an Enterprise Ireland event for business leaders -
President addresses State Parliament of Western Australia President addresses State Parliament of Western Australia
President Higgins became the first Head of State to address the joint Houses of Parliament of Western Australia.
In his address, entitled "Ireland and Australia – A Deep, Historic and Valuable Contemporary Relationship", the President spoke of the historic links between Ireland and Australia, the history of migration and colonialism, and the importance of ethical remembrance.
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President Receives Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Australia President Receives Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Australia
The President was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Western Australia for his many achievements, including his advocacy on behalf of minority groups, the poor, the marginalised and the underprivileged.
The University of Western Australia (UWA) was established in 1911 as the State's first university. It was also the first free university in the British Empire, actively promoting equal access to tertiary education for all social classes.
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Speech at the Unveiling of an Irish Famine Memorial, Subiaco, Perth, Australia Speech at the Unveiling of an Irish Famine Memorial, Subiaco, Perth, Australia
The President unveiled a Famine Memorial in Subiaco Park.
The sculpture, commissioned by the West Australia Irish Famine Commemoration committee, is designed by Charlie Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith, originally from Waterford, and commemorates the Great Irish Famine.
In addition to the sculpture, the Committee has sourced and donated Famine Travel Boxes, commemorating the 4,000 women who were sent from workhouses in Ireland to Australia.
Replicas of the Travel Boxes have been made by the Irish Prison Service and one was presented to President Higgins in January 2017. (See http://www.president.ie/en/diary/details/president-presented-with-the-famine-times-travel-box-made-by-prisoners )
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President Higgins Addresses Mothers At A ‘Latching On’ Morning 2017 President Higgins Addresses Mothers At A ‘Latching On’ Morning 2017
As part of National Breastfeeding Week Sabina Higgins hosted a reception and ‘Latching On’ morning in Áras an Uachtaráin.
Sabina welcomed more than 90 breastfeeding mothers and their babies along with supporters and campaigners for breastfeeding. Representatives of Cuidiú, La Leche League of Ireland, Friends of Breastfeeding, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and Baby Friendly Health Initiative, Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services Ireland and Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland were in attendance.
Experts consider breastfeeding during the baby’s first year as crucial for its growth and development. Breast milk provides the nutritional properties that is needed by infants in the early stages of life. It provides long term protection for the baby and paves the way for preventing childhood obesity. Breastfeeding helps mothers recover quicker after given birth, they have a strong bond with their child and it reduces the risk of post-natal depression, breast and ovarian cancer.
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Speech at a Reception for Representatives from Poetry Ireland and Children’s Books Ireland Speech at a Reception for Representatives from Poetry Ireland and Children’s Books Ireland
President Michael D. Higgins received representatives of Poetry Ireland to mark its 40th anniversary and Children’s Books Ireland to mark its 20th anniversary
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Speech at the Opening of The Clifden Arts Festival 2017 Speech at the Opening of The Clifden Arts Festival 2017
President Michael D. Higgins will formally open the 40th Clifden Arts Festival.
The President will pay tribute to those who initiated and managed the festival through the years, in close cooperation with the local community.
Since his inauguration in 2011, President Higgins has spoken on numerous occasions of how the development of culture and creativity in our society can help create the foundations for an inclusive citizenship, built on a sense of shared meaning, heritage and identity.
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Speech to representatives of the National Literacy Agency -
Speech at the 20th anniversary of the opening of the National Museum of Ireland - Collins Barracks Speech at the 20th anniversary of the opening of the National Museum of Ireland - Collins Barracks
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‘Reflecting on the Irishness of Eugene O’Neill’ - Speech at the Eugene O’Neill Society Gala Dinner ‘Reflecting on the Irishness of Eugene O’Neill’ - Speech at the Eugene O’Neill Society Gala Dinner
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Extracts from the President’s speech at Amnesty International’s Council Meeting Extracts from the President’s speech at Amnesty International’s Council Meeting
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President speaks about the Garden Parties (Extracts from a speech at a Community Day) President speaks about the Garden Parties (Extracts from a speech at a Community Day)
The final event in the 2017 series of Garden Parties was the 'Community Day' party.
Each year, President and Sabina Higgins open up Áras an Uachtaráin for a series of Garden Parties celebrating the work of people and organisations active on themes of citizenship and community - themes that are central to the Presidency of Michael D. Higgins.
Over 400 people were invited to meet with the President and Sabina Higgins for the 'Community Day' event, celebrating voluntary groups and active citizens, from across the country, who are working to build a better, more inclusive Ireland.
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Speech at a ‘Community Day’ Garden Party Speech at a ‘Community Day’ Garden Party
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