Michael D. Higgins

Michael D. Higgins
Name	Michael D. Higgins
Caption	Higgins in 2018
Office	9th President of Ireland
Term start	11 November 2011
Predecessor	Mary McAleese
Office1	Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Term start1	1993
Term end1	1997
Primeminister1	Albert Reynolds, John Bruton
Predecessor1	Office established
Successor1	Síle de Valera
Office2	Teachta Dála
Term start2	1987
Term end2	2011
Constituency2	Galway West
Office3	Senator
Term start3	1973
Term end3	1977
Constituency3	National University of Ireland
Birth date	18 April 1941
Birth place	Limerick, Ireland
Party	Independent (2011–present)
Otherparty	Labour Party (before 2011)
Spouse	Sabina Coyne, 1974
Alma mater	University College Galway, Indiana University, University of Manchester
Occupation	Politician, poet, broadcaster, sociologist

Michael D. Higgins is the ninth and current President of Ireland, having first taken office in November 2011. A member of the Labour Party prior to his presidency, he has served as a Teachta Dála, Senator, and Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Renowned as a poet, sociologist, and broadcaster, his presidency has been marked by advocacy for social justice, linguistic revival, and human rights.

Early life and education

Born in Limerick in 1941, he was raised in County Clare. He attended Ballycar National School and later St. Flannan's College in Ennis. He pursued higher education at University College Galway, graduating with a degree in Sociology and Political Science. He furthered his studies at Indiana University Bloomington in the United States and completed a Master of Arts at the University of Manchester in England.

Academic and literary career

Before entering full-time politics, he was a lecturer in Political Science and Sociology at University College Galway. A prolific writer, he published several volumes of poetry, including *The Betrayal* and *An Arid Season*. His scholarly work includes publications on media and politics, and he was a prominent broadcaster, presenting programs on RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland. He served as the first Professor of Sociology at University College Galway and was active in the Arts Council.

Political career before presidency

His political career began with election to the Seanad in 1973, representing the National University of Ireland constituency. Elected as a Teachta Dála for Galway West in 1987, he served until his election to the presidency. He was appointed Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in 1993 under Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, a role he retained in the subsequent coalition government led by John Bruton. In this ministry, he established TG4 and reformed RTÉ.

Presidency (2011–present)

He was elected President of Ireland in 2011, defeating candidates including Seán Gallagher and Martin McGuinness. He was re-elected unopposed in 2018. His tenure has emphasized themes of inclusive citizenship, ethical remembering, and cultural democracy. He has made numerous state visits, including to the United Kingdom, where he addressed both houses of the British Parliament. He established the President's Awards and has been a vocal advocate on global issues such as climate change, migration, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Personal life and family

He married actress Sabina Coyne in 1974. The couple has four children: Alice Mary Higgins, a Senator; John, a barrister; Michaela Higgins; and Daniel Higgins. The family resides in Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin. He is a fluent Irish speaker and a supporter of Gaelic games, particularly the Galway GAA teams.

Public image and legacy

Often referred to as "Michael D.", he is one of Ireland's most popular public figures, consistently achieving high approval ratings in opinion polls. His legacy is associated with redefining the modern Irish presidency through intellectual leadership and passionate advocacy for the marginalized. His speeches, such as his address on the Centenary of the Easter Rising, and his published collections of poetry have cemented his reputation as a significant cultural figure in contemporary Ireland.

Category:Presidents of Ireland Category:Labour Party (Ireland) politicians Category:Irish poets