Tag Archives: President Michael D Higgins

    Tuamgraney’s internationally acclaimed novelist Edna O’Brien has been buried in Holy Island in keeping with a request she made to her family years ago. In the region of 150 mourners were ferried from Knockphort, Mountshannon to this picturesque monastic site by numerous boats with assistance from Clare Civil Defence volunteers and under the watchful eye of the Killaloe Coast Guard and the RNLI. Chief Celebrant Fr Donagh O’Meara described Ms O’Brien as an “extraordinary woman” and “speaker of truth” who held up a mirror to Irish society during her Funeral Mass in St Joseph’s Church, Tuamgraney on Saturday. “We didn’t thank her for it. Like a lot of prophetesses of the past, we undermined her, we isolated her and rejected her message and she must have deeply felt that,” he admitted in reference to the fact that her debut novel Country Girls was banned and burned in East Clare in 1960. He noted that it must have been …

TRIBUTES have come pouring in following the death of Tuamgraney’s internationally acclaimed novelist Edna O’Brien (93) on Sunday. President Michael D Higgins said it is with great sorrow that I have heard of the passing of a dear friend of Sabina’s and his, Edna O’Brien. “Edna O’Brien has been one of the outstanding writers of modern times, her work has been sought as model all around the world. “Edna was a fearless teller of truths, a superb writer possessed of the moral courage to confront Irish society with realities long ignored and suppressed. “Through that deeply insightful work, rich in humanity, Edna O’Brien was one of the first writers to provide a true voice to the experiences of women in Ireland in their different generations and played an important role in transforming the status of women across Irish society,” he said. While the beauty of her work was immediately recognised abroad, President Higgins stressed it is important to remember the …

  Irish President Michael D Higgins has led the tributes following the death of internationally acclaimed Tuamgraney novelist, Edna O’Brien, (93), describing her as “one of the outstanding writers of modern times”. “Edna was a fearless teller of truths, a superb writer possessed of the moral courage to confront Irish society with realities long ignored and suppressed,” he said. “Through that deeply insightful work, rich in humanity, Edna O’Brien was one of the first writers to provide a true voice to the experiences of women in Ireland in their different generations and played an important role in transforming the status of women across Irish society.” “While the beauty of her work was immediately recognised abroad, it is important to remember the hostile reaction it provoked among those who wished for the lived experience of women to remain far from the world of Irish literature, with her books shamefully banned upon their early publication.” Paying tribute to the author, publishing house …

AN EAST Clare non profit seed bank has branched out to Áras an Uachtaráin after presenting president Michael D Higgins with a special tree in memory of his dog. Irish Seed Savers Association received the presidential seal of approval recently after a Lough Key Crab tree was planted at Áras an Uachtaráin in memory of the beloved Bernese Mountain Dog, Bród owned by President Higgins and his wife, Sabina. President Higgins expressed his gratitude for the meaningful gesture from the Irish Seed Savers Association, emphasising the importance of preserving Ireland’s agricultural heritage. The planting of the Lough Key Crab tree at Áras an Uachtaráin serves as a poignant tribute to Bród and contributes to the protection of Ireland’s apple tree heritage. Four members of the ISSA attended the planting ceremony including Communications Development Co-ordinator, Gillian Lattimore, Executive Director, Elaine Bradley, Orchard Team members, Marie Collins, Scariff, and Anne English. Áras an Uachtaráin Head Gardener, Robert Norris showed the ISSA the …

The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, has led tributes to Ennis resident and former Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Tras Honan. Mrs Honan, who is the only woman to have served as Seanad Cathaoirleach since the foundation of the state, passed away in Waterford on Saturday, aged 93. Mrs Honan was a Senator between 1977 and 1992 and was elected as Cathaoirleach twice. When her sister, Carrie Acheson, was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1981, they were the first sisters to serve as Oireachtas members at the same time. “As President of Ireland, I am sure that I will be only one among many who will have heard with sorrow of the passing of Tras Honan, former Cathaoirleach of the Seanad,” said President Higgins. “Tras Honan was a proud Tipperary woman who broke many barriers in a long and distinguished career, notably as the first and only woman to be elected as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. “Having moved to Ennis, …

CONTROVERSIAL legislation which revises the grant scheme for homeowners with defective concrete blocks has been signed into law by President Michael D Higgins.  After the Bill passed through the Oireachtas earlier this month, as distraught campaigners looked on from the public gallery, and others protested outside Leinster House, the President signed the draft legislation at the end of last week. A spokesperson for Áras an Uachtaráin said: “Having considered the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022, the President has signed the Bill and it has accordingly become law.”  The terms of the new scheme have been sharply criticised by campaigners in Clare, as well as those in Mayo and Donegal where a grant has been available since 2020. While there had been hopes that it would improve on the previous scheme, which covered only 90% of remediation cots, campaigners are adamant that homeowners will still be left seriously out of pocket. Concerns have …

PRESIDENT of Ireland Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina will visit Ennis this Saturday where they will pay tribute to all those behind the county capital’s success in being named Ireland’s Tidiest Town in 2021. The couple will attend a ceremony at President Higgins’ former secondary school of St Flannan’s College and during the visit he will unveil a plaque marking Ennis’ win in the national competition. Ennis Tidy Towns’ chairman Cormac McCarthy tells us that the local committee are “over the moon” to be hosting the president and his wife. He reveals that the ceremony will be particularly focused on the important role that the local community had in securing the win for Ennis. “It’s going to be a wonderful event and we have had great support in the organisation from St Flannan’s College, where the president went to secondary school, as well as getting logistical support from the Ennis Municipal District which is very appreciated.” Ennis Tidy …

IRELAND’S third oldest citizen and a man with strong Clare connections has been awarded a silver medal by the President of Ireland ahead of his 108th birthday next week. Matthew Crowley, who is resident in Youghal, County Cork received his medal from President Michael D. Higgins, in anticipation of his 108th birthday on May 12. In keeping with Matthew’s generation, he also received a a congratulatory telegram. Mathew Crowley was born In Askeaton, County Limerick in Ireland, the son of a Principal Lighthouse Keeper, James (Jimmie) Crowley, at Loop Head Lighthouse, County Clare. Matthew’s wife of 62 years Matilda was born in Ballyvaughan, while his mother Amelia (Millie) Crowley (nee Colfer) was from Fethard-on-Sea, County Wexford. Matthew was recruited from Ford Motor Company, Cork City, to Ford Motor Company, Dagenham, Essex, UK. With the advent of WWII, Ford Motor Company changed over to aircraft engines from automobile engines, and his subsequent designation was as an “essential worker” for the British …