Speeches by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins

On the evening of the first day of the 2024 State Visit by H.E. Tô Lâm, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, President and Sabina Higgins hosted a State Dinner in honour of their guest.

https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-host-a-state-dinner-in-honour-of-h.e-to-lam-president-of-the-socialist-republic-of-vietnam

President Higgins received the Eugene O’Neill International Public Service Award from the New York-based Irish American Writers and Artists Association (IAWA).

The President delivered acceptance remarks in a public event held at the Irish Arts Centre on the evening of Monday 23 September.

https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-receives-the-eugene-oneill-international-public-service-award

Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins hosted a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin for the athletes who represented Ireland with such distinction at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-host-a-reception-for-team-ireland-paris-2024

Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins, addressed the UN Summit of the Future at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Invited to address the UN Summit of the Future by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who has convened the Summit during the High-Level Week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, President Higgins will speak of a form of the United Nations which can represent the people of the world in the interacting crises which we face and be responsive.

https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-addresses-united-nations-summit-of-the-future-in-new-york

The President and Sabina Higgins received representatives of the Dunnes Stores Anti-Apartheid Strikers at Áras an Uachtaráin.

19th July is the 40th anniversary of the commencement of the Dunnes Stores Anti-Apartheid strike, which commenced on 19 July 1984 when Mary Manning refused to handle the sale of grapefruit from South Africa.

To mark the anniversary, the President and Sabina met with strikers Liz Deasy, Karen Gearon, Sandra Griffin, Mary Manning, Theresa Mooney, Vonnie Munroe McCue, Cathryn O Reilly, Alma Russell and Michelle Sherlock at the Áras.

The President and Sabina Higgins hosted a special Presidential Concert, celebrating Irish Music Month 2024.

In his speech President Higgins recognised the many different groups, organisations and individual citizens who have contributed so much to Irish music, whether as musicians, songwriters, singers, composers or the many who work in the wider music sector, including in Irish radio.

The concert was the final in a series of Garden Parties held at Áras an Uachtaráin, organised by the President and Sabina Higgins, to celebrate people and organisations who work on themes that the President wishes to highlight.

https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-host-a-concert-celebrating-irish-music-month-and-local-radio-stations

In the penultimate Garden Party of 2024, the President and Sabina Higgins hosted a garden party celebrating the trade union movement.

Through the theme of this garden party, President Higgins reflected, and celebrated, the trade union movement all that has been achieved in the long and difficult struggle for workers’ rights in Ireland, and across the globe.

The garden party celebrated the work of current and past activists fighting for workers’ rights and standing in solidarity with colleagues, fellow citizens, and with people all over the world, in struggles against injustice, inequality and exclusion in the workplace.

https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-higgins-host-a-garden-party-celebrating-the-trade-union-movement

The theme of the fifth garden party of 2024 was ‘Life Below Water’ – Protecting our Oceans, Sustainable Development Goal 14.

The President and Sabina Higgins welcomed members of our communities and activists who are dedicating themselves to fostering a sustainable future for the citizens of Ireland and beyond.

In his speech, President Higgins reaffirmed our commitment to safeguarding, conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and the vast and vital marine resources that our oceans provide.

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 tradition of hosting Garden Parties in Áras an Uachtaráin was commenced by the first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde. Each year, thousands of members of the public and representatives of organisations across the country are welcomed to the Áras at a series of Garden Parties.

https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-host-a-community-day-garden-party-25-july-2024

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.