Speeches By President Of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins

“Gach bliain ar an 13 Feabhra, iarrtar orainn Lá Domhanda an Raidió a chomóradh agus tábhacht an raidió a chur i gcuimhne dúinn féin. Cé go bhfuil teicneolaíocht an raidió go maith os cionn céad bliain ar an bhfód, tá craoladh raidió fós ar cheann de na bealaí is mó a bhfuil tóir air agus is éifeachtaí chun eolas a mhalartú, idirghníomhaíocht shóisialta a sholáthar, agus an t-eolas agus na luachanna atá riachtanach i gcomhair sochaithe comhtháite a chur chun cinn. Cuireann ár stáisiúin raidió áitiúla, réigiúnacha agus náisiúnta faisnéis ríthábhachtach faoinár saol le chéile ar fáil dúinn, agus cuireann raidió teacht ar fhaisnéis agus ar anailís ar ár sochaí ar fáil, chomh maith le hardán a chuir ar fáil le haghaidh éagsúlacht bhreá barúlacha agus tuairimí éagsúla a mbíonn fáilte rompu. Inniu, ar Lá Domhanda an Raidió, déanaimis ceiliúradh ar chumhacht agus ar áilleacht an fhocail labhartha agus déanaimis iarracht cumas an raidió ár saoránaigh go léir a chumasú a mholadh. Mar is é cumas an raidió pobai

“Each year on the 13th of February, we are given the opportunity to mark World Radio Day, and thus remind ourselves of the importance of radio. While radio technology is well over a century old, radio broadcasts remain one of the most popular and effective ways for exchanging information, providing social interaction, and promoting the knowledge and values necessary for cohesive societies. Our local, regional and national radio stations offer us crucial information about our lives together, provide access to information and analysis of our society, and offer a platform, too, for a great, and welcome, diversity of opinions and views. So today, on World Radio Day, let us celebrate the power and beauty of the spoken word, and pay tribute to the valuable technology radio is in empowering all of our citizens. Radio has the capacity to bring communities together and, in doing so, fostering the positive dialogue that makes of our society one worth achieving.”

President Higgins officiallyed open ‘Migrants’, an exhibition of new works by leading Irish sculptor John Behan. The event marked the first event of the Kenny Bookshop & Art Gallery's 80th Anniversary year. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-opens-the-john-behan-migrations-exhibition-of-free-standing-sculptures-and-wall-pieces

https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-attends-the-holocaust-memorial-day-commemoration-2020/speeches

Speech at a New Year's reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps by Áras an Uachtaráin

President Higgins hosted a reception to mark the installation of “Pangur Bán”, a sculpture by Imogen Stuart, at Áras an Uachtaráin. The piece is on loan to Áras an Uachtaráin from University College Dublin, where it had been on display. It has now been installed in the reception area of Áras an Uachtaráin, where many of the 20,000 people who visit the house annually will be able to view it. The 1976 art installation is based on a 9th century poem, written in Irish and found on the margins of a manuscript in the monastery of St. Paul in Austria. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-reception-to-mark-the-installation-of-pangur-ban-a-sculpture-by-imogen-stuart-at-aras-an-uachtarain

On the evening of the first day of the State Visit by H.E. Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos, President of the Hellenic Republic, President and Sabina Higgins hosted a State Dinner in honour of their guests. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-a-state-dinner-in-honour-of-h.e-mr-prokopios-pavlopoulos-president-of-the-hellenic-republic-and-mrs-vlassia-pavlopoulou

Ba mhaith liom, mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, mo bheannachtaí ó chroí a sheoladh chugaibh. Guím Nollaig Shona agus Bliain Nua shíochánta oraibh uilig. Agus muid ag trasnú thar Ghrianstad an Gheimhridh, is am dhóchais é an Nollag agus muid ag súil anois le síneadh sna laethanta atá romhainn. Ag an am seo, nach cóir dúinn smaoineamh ar scéal lárnach na Nollag, scéal Mhuire agus Sheosaimh agus iad ag lorg dídine i mBeithil dóibh féin agus dá leanbh sa bhroinn. Dúradh arís is arís eile leo nach raibh aon lóistín ar fáil dóibh. Anseo in Éirinn, tá stair fhada na himirce, na gluaiseachta, na n-aistear fágála agus deoraíochta againn. Inniu, táimid bródúil as an méid atá á dhéanamh ag an diaspóra do chultúr agus do shaol a mbailte nua. Ach cuimhnímid chomh maith ar na hÉireannaigh sin atá b'fhéidir in ísle brí, iad i bhfad ón áit is dual dóibh, óna muintir, agus, b’fhéidir, iad cráite ag an tráth seo. Ní mór dúinn smaoineamh orthu, agus ní le linn na Nollag amháin. Ba mhór an tábhacht a bhain leis an gcú

As President of Ireland may I send you my warmest wishes for a peaceful and a Happy Christmas and New Year. Christmas signals a time of light and hope, a time when we move beyond the Winter Solstice, "An Grianstad", and perhaps begin to anticipate the longer days of light to come. It is also a time when we can all reflect on its central theme – the story of Mary and Joseph seeking refuge in Bethlehem for themselves and their unborn child, and being repeatedly told that there was ‘no room at the inn’. Here in Ireland, we have our own long history of emigration, of movement, of journeys of leavings and exile. At this time of year we recall with pride, not only the contribution our diaspora make to the culture and life of their new homes, but also we remember those Irish who may be experiencing a sense of loss of belonging, away from their origins, loved ones, and who are hurting at this time. It is right that we think of them, and not only at Christmas. The generous contributions received from our emi

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-afternoon-tea-reception-for-community-groups-dec-2019

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-tree-lighting-reception-2019/speeches

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-addresses-the-40th-anniversary-of-the-archives-and-records-association-ireland

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-officiates-at-gaisce-gold-award-ceremony-2019

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-receives-the-irish-team-who-competed-in-worldskills-competition-for-apprentices-and-trainees

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-receives-new-york-based-permanent-representatives-to-the-un

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-the-international-womens-club-of-dublin-marking-international-day-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-launches-phil-lynnot-commemorative-coin

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-seminar-rethinking-the-role-of-the-state-in-fostering-a-sustainable-and-inclusive-economy

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-afternoon-tea-reception-25-november-2019

President Higgins visited the Cornmarket Project in Wexford. The project is run by Wexford Local Development and provides support services to individuals and their families who are struggling to cope with the effects of addiction to drugs or alcohol. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-is-guest-speaker-at-the-cornmarket-project-conference-as-they-celebrate-their-20th-anniversary