Gearrthóga Fuaime

• 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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• 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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• Sabina Higgins addresses mothers at a ‘Latching On’ morning

  Sabina Higgins addresses mothers at a ‘Latching On’ morning

  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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• 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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• 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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• Address to representatives of the Choctaw Nation

  Address to representatives of the Choctaw Nation

  On 20 June 2017, President and Sabina Higgins hosted a delegation from the Choctaw Nation.

  The Choctaw, who lost a quarter of their population on the 'Trail of Tears' in the 1830s, just a few short years later collected money to donate to the victims of the Famine in Ireland.

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• Speech at a Garden Party for Representatives of Ireland’s Island Communities

  Speech at a Garden Party for Representatives of Ireland’s Island Communities

  The second event in the 2017 series of Garden Parties hosted by President and Sabina Higgins focused on paying tribute to the people and organisations that work to support and promote healthy, thriving communities on Ireland's inhabited islands.

  The President and Sabina invited people from islands communities across Ireland, as well as from organisations and institutions that support, or relate to, island life.

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• Speech By President Higgins At The Official Opening Of Bloom 2017

  Speech By President Higgins At The Official Opening Of Bloom 2017

  President Higgins opened Bord Bia’s "Bloom" event, in Dublin's Phoenix Park.

  The annual Bloom festival is Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family festival.

  The President visited a large number of show gardens and delivered a speech to formally open the festival. In his speech, the President paid tribute to the festival organisers and spoke of the importance of sustainable food production for both our economy and our health and well-being.

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• Remarks by Sabina Higgins, introducing the ‘Latch On’ event at Áras an Uachtaráin

  Remarks by Sabina Higgins, introducing the ‘Latch On’ event at Áras an Uachtaráin

  On Monday 3 October 2016 Sabina Higgins hosted a reception and ‘Latching On’ morning in Áras an Uachtaráin, as part of National Breastfeeding Week.

  For more information, see www.president.ie/en/diary/details…ational-breastfe

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• Sabina Higgins takes part in the National Women’s Council of Ireland Soapbox

  Sabina Higgins takes part in the National Women’s Council of Ireland Soapbox

  Sabina takes part in the National Women’s Council of Ireland Soapbox
  Saturday, 12th March 2016
  Time: 14:00
  Location: St. Stephen's Green

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