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Tag Archives: President Michael D Higgins

President Higgins tops Presidential poll in Clare

    Outgoing President Michael D Higgins has topped the poll in the Clare constituency. Returning Officer, Pat Wallace revealed on Saturday afternoon that President Higgins secured 22,639 first preference votes in the first count. Independent candidate Peter Casey secured 11,722; Séan Gallagher 2,289; Sinn Féin’s Liadh Ni Riadha got 2,186; Joan Freeman 1,969 and Gavin Duffy 617. The percentage breakdown of the first count is Michael D Higgins: 54.65%; Peter Casey; 28.27%; Séan Gallagher: 5.52%; Liadh Ni Riadha: 5.277%; Joan Freeman: 4.75% Gavin Duffy: 1.489%. The total Clare electorate was 83,044. The total poll was 41,871 and there were 449 invalid votes giving a total valid poll of 41,422. Comparisons between the 2018 and 2011 Presidential Elections in Clare make interesting reading. Michael D Higgins, who was proposed by the Labour |Party in 2011, has increased his first preference vote in the county he was reared by 10% from 44.3% to 54.654% while Séan Gallagher has seen his vote …

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President to open young scientist expo

Thousands of students will descend Dublin’s RDS tomorrow (Wednesday) as the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition begins. The event brings together some of the country’s brightest young minds as they compete to take home the coveted title of the BT Young Scientist & Technologist(s) of the Year 2018. President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins will officially open the exhibition at a special ceremony on Wednesday evening attended by students, teachers, exhibition partners and stakeholders, and presented by broadcaster Aidan Power and TG4’s Roisin Ni Thomáin. The ceremony will be streamed live on Facebookfrom 2pm. Leading communications and IT Services company, BT, has announced announced an increase in prize money for the winner and a trip to the home of code-breaking in World War II, Bletchley Park. This year winner(s) of the competition, will be announced on Friday, will be presented with a cheque for €7,500, (an increase from €5,000), a trip to the historic Bletchley Park and the BTYSTE perpetual trophy. The 2018 overall winner(s) will …

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Ennis artist paints President’s portrait

ENNIS artist Mick O’Dea has completed an official portrait of President Michael D Higgins, which will hang in Leinster House throughout his time in office, before being moved to Áras an Uachtaráin after his departure from office. “The annual Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) exhibition will be opening on May 22 and I’m going to show the newly completed official portrait of President Higgins,” said Mick. While he has recently exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy and will have another painting in London’s Royal Academy over the summer, he said this is the most important one for him. “For a portrait painter, it is a big honour. I’m humbled to have been asked to do it.” In relation to where the official portrait will be on show, he explained. “It will hang in the Áras, along with the previous Presidential portraits, once he leaves office. I’ll be showing it in the RHA, which I’m currently president of, and when that exhibition …

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President recalls Holocaust victims

President Michael D. Higgins has focused on one of the most terrible atrocities ever committed against a section of society, ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on Sunday. “Today, on Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the victims of the Nazi Holocaust – the millions of innocent men, women and children who were persecuted and murdered by the Nazis because of their ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliations or their religious beliefs. “On this day we pause and remember the atrocities committed in that short space of time in the middle of the 20th century, as we remember the unspeakable horror unleashed on millions of people under a regime built on fear, hatred, prejudice and convulsive cruelty. “In remembering, we are inviting each other to pay heed to the small and dwindling number of powerful voices of those who experienced and survived the Holocaust in person. Voices that implore us to never forget, and to learn the lessons history teaches us,” President …

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Great start to All-Ireland Fleadh

Following the official launch of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann by the President D Higgins on Sunday evening, the event has taken on a tremendous festival atmosphere. The town of Ennis is thronged with visitors from all over the country and the far flung corners of the world. The first few concert and performances events have attracted  capacity audiences and have  been widely acclaimed. With big attendances at the morning instrumental classes, the fine weather has brought the music onto the streets and there has been a fantastic response to the gig rig sessions at night.

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Ballycar group visits the Áras

The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins recalled his boyhood days in Clare, when a group from Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus were among his garden party guests at Áras an Uachtaráin last Sunday. The President mingled with his former neighbours, exchanging stories of their formative years in Ballycar National School. Talk also came around to many events that made their way into the parish history books and he even recalled enjoying playing handball in the local alley. President Higgins and his wife, Sabina, welcomed the 80-strong Ballycar group, part of a gathering of nearly 500 people, at a marquee on the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin. The afternoon programme included a tour of the stately residence, viewing the gardens and even a respite to watch the Ireland-France soccer game on a large screen. President Higgins’ one-time neighbour, Kathleen O’Leary, presented him with a hollowed vessel made from Ballycar ash by local man Ray Walsh. Each year, President Higgins and Mrs Higgins open …

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President launches Facebook page

President Michael D. Higgins has launched a Facebook page called “President of Ireland / Uachtarán na hÉireann” (www.facebook.com/PresidentIRL).The latest news, photographs, videos and speeches from the President will be featured. Facebook users who “like” the page will receive updates about the President’s work through their news feed. Another Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ArasAnUachtarain, will provide regular news about the Áras itself and its long and varied history. The launch of a Facebook page is the latest addition to the President’s social media strategy: Earlier this year, the President launched a Twitter account (@PresidentIRL), which provides regular updates about the President’s work. The President also uses Soundcloud (soundcloud.com/arasanuachtarain) to disseminate recordings of speeches and YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/presidentofireland) for videos. The President is also starting an Instagram account (www.instagram.com/presidentirl) that will provide a regular stream of photos of the work of President Michael D. Higgins. All of these platforms are integrated into the President’s website, www.president.ie.

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Scariff centenarian attributes longevity to enjoying life

A Scariff centenarian has attributed her longevity to enjoying life and avoiding stress as much as possible. Nellie Rodgers, Clonusker  recently received a letter from President Michael D Higgins and the statutory €2,540 cheque after turning 100. Still enjoying very good health, Nellie, who was born in New York on November 13, 1915, reads the newspaper every day and duly informs her son, Andrew and daughter-in-law, Geraldine, about all the main news at local and national level. According to Geraldine, Nellie’s advice for a long life is “not to worry too much, enjoy life and avoid stress”. Apart from a reduction in her hearing, Nellie has only been hospitalised twice – last April she fell and broke her hip when she was out weeding in the garden and she previously had a minor operation. Geraldine says her mother-in-law can still remember her boat journey from New York to Clare as if it only happened last week. She left New York …

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