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Michael D. Higgins

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Michael D. Higgins
Michael D. Higgins in April 2022
9th President of Ireland
Assumed office
11 November 2011
TaoiseachEnda Kenny
Leo Varadkar
Micheál Martin
Leo Varadkar
Simon Harris
Preceded byMary McAleese
Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht
In office
15 December 1994 – 26 June 1997
Preceded byBertie Ahern
Succeeded bySíle de Valera
In office
12 January 1993 – 17 November 1994
Preceded byJohn Wilson
Succeeded byBertie Ahern
Teachta Dála
In office
17 February 1987 – 25 February 2011
Preceded byFintan Coogan
Succeeded byDerek Nolan
In office
11 June 1981 – 24 November 1982
Preceded bySeat established
Succeeded byFintan Coogan
ConstituencyGalway West
Senator
In office
23 February 1983 – 3 April 1987
ConstituencyNational University of Ireland
In office
1 June 1973 – 26 May 1977
ConstituencyTaoiseach's nominee
Personal details
Born
Michael Daniel Higgins

(1941-04-18) 18 April 1941 (age 83)
Limerick, Ireland
Political partyIndependent,
Labour Party (1968–2011)
Spouse(s)
Sabina Coyne
(m. 1974)
[1]
Children4
Alma materUniversity College, Galway
Indiana University, Bloomington
University of Manchester

Michael Daniel Higgins (born 18 April 1941) is the ninth and current President of Ireland. He took office on 11 November 2011.[2] Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster.[3]

Higgins was a Teachta Dála (TD) and represented the Galway West constituency. He also was the Minister for Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht from 1993 to 1997. Higgins was the President of the Labour Party from 2003 until his election to the presidency in 2011.

Higgins is known because he was the first president to make a state visit to the United Kingdom.[4]

Early life

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Higgins was born on the 18 April 1941. His father's name was John and he was from Ballycar, County Clare. His father was a member of the militant group, the Irish Republican Army. His fathers rank was a 2nd Lieutenant. He served alongside his brother Peter and Michael.

In the 1970s and some of the 1980s, Michael was involved in university and college positions, but later moved to politics in 1987.

On 11 November 2011, Michael D. Higgins became the 9th President of Ireland, after Mary McAleese. It was the first time the President of Ireland has been a male since Patrick Hillery left in 1990.

Personal life

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Higgins studied at University College, Galway, at Indiana University, Bloomington, and at the University of Manchester. Higgins has been married to Sabina Coyne since 1974. They have four children.

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References

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  1. "Michael D. Higgins elected President of Ireland". RTÉ News. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  2. "Michael D. Higgins wins Irish presidential election". The Daily Telegraph. London. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  3. O'Leary, Jennifer (28 October 2011). "Who is Michael D Higgins?". BBC News. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  4. "In pictures: Irish President Michael D Higgins visits UK". BBC. 8 April 2014.

Other websites

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Media related to Michael D. Higgins at Wikimedia Commons Wikisource logo Works written by or about Michael D. Higgins at Wikisource