Speeches By President Of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins

Teachaireacht na Nollag agus na hAthbhliana ó Uachtarán na hÉireann Micheál D. Ó hUigínn 2018 by Áras an Uachtaráin

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-receives-a-group-of-children-families-visiting-ireland-as-part-of-chernobyl-children-international

President Higgins received 4th class pupils from Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada at Áras an Uachtaráin. The students of the school, one of the schools that had to be closed earlier this year as a result of structual building problems, performed songs from their "Míle Grá" christmas play. The President addressed the children, thanking them for the beautiful cards they had sent the President after the elections, and congratulating them on their beautiful use of the Irish language.

With response by Mark Mellett, DSM, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces of Ireland. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-a-reception-for-defense-force-personnel-in-recognition-of-their-role-in-his-inauguration-ceremony

President Higgins presents the Gaisce Gold Awards to 77 young people who have completed their personal development challenges. Gaisce is the President’s awards scheme which aims to foster young people’s potential by encouraging them to set goals in a number of areas and then achieve them.

The President delivered the keynote address at the Civil Human Rights Forum, marking the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-presents-the-distinguished-service-awards-for-the-irish-abroad-2018

President Higgins made statement to the 'Virtual Summit' organised by the Climate Vulnerable Forum - a partnership of countries highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The zero emissions summit was organised to promote greater political support for climate action, to keep most vulnerable nations, and the world, safe from the global threat of climate change. In his statement, President Higgins said that "no continent, no nation, and no people can claim that they are immune to the effects of climate change," and that "those nations most responsible for the accumulation of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere owe not only a duty of solidarity, but of justice, to those who will bear the heaviest and most immediate burden of climate change." See https://president.ie/en/media-library/news-releases/statement-on-climate-change-to-the-climate-vulnerable-forum-2018

The President attended a gala dinner organised by Co-operation Ireland. The dinner took place on the eve of the international soccer match between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. CEOs of both Football Associations, and the managers of both teams, Martin and Michael O'Neill, will be in attendance. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-attends-co-operation-ireland-promoting-peace-gala-dinner

opens the ‘Gift of a Lifetime. Treasures from Chester Beatty’s Collection’ exhibition. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-officially-opens-the-gift-of-a-lifetime-treasures-from-chester-beattys-collection-exhibition

The President attended the Armistice Day centenary commemorations at Glasnevin Cemetery, in memory of the thousands of Irish men and women who died in the First World War. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-attends-armistice-day-centenary-commemorations

At a ceremony in Dublin Castle on 11 November 2018, President Michael D. Higgins was inaugurated for a second term as President of Ireland. This is the President's inaugural address. For more information, see https://president.ie/en/diary/details/inauguration-of-president-michael-d-higgins

President Michael D. Higgins delivered the keynote address at the international Civil Rights Festival in Derry. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-addresses-a-conference-to-mark-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-civil-rights-movement

President Michael D. Higgins delivered a special address to close the Dublin Festival of History. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-gives-a-keynote-address-at-closing-ceremony-of-2018-dublin-festival-of-history

The President addressed the FÉILTE Festival of teaching 'Lifelong learning: Making a difference', at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick. FÉILTE celebrates the work that teachers do every day in their classrooms, and President Higgins has made education one of the key themes of his Presidency. The President has hosted teachers and educators at Áras an Uachtaráin and visited many schools and colleges. In his speeches, the President has spoken about the need to cultivate independent thought, and argued that schools should not be viewed solely as places to educate future workers, but as places to empower the engaged, informed and active citizens of the future.

President Higgins performed the official opening of the Ballinasloe October Fair; a festival with its origins dating back to the 1700s. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-officially-open-ballinasloe-october-fair-and-festival

President Higgins visited Co. Clare, to mark the 50th anniversary of Clarecare, a not-for-profit organisation providing social services. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-gives-an-address-at-an-event-to-mark-the-50th-anniversary-of-clarecare

The President visited Limerick to deliver the keynote speech at the launch of the third Limerick Integration Plan. See https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-gives-keynote-address-at-the-launch-of-limericks-migrant-integration-strategy

Speech at the opening of the new Student Centre at Dublin City University by Áras an Uachtaráin

President Higgins delivered the inaugural Douglas Hyde Lecture 2018. Douglas Hyde was the first President of Ireland, serving from 1938 to 1945, the first president of Conradh na Gaeilge (the Gaelic League) and the first Professor of Modern Irish in UCD from 1909. The lecture took place place in ‘Bliain na Gaeilge’, a year dedicated to the celebration of the Irish language.