Michael D Higgins

Church of Ireland Dean of Enniskillen Kenneth Hall and Monsignor Peter O'Reilly, parish priest of the Co Fermanagh town, who have both been made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the King's Birthday Honours list, for services to services to Reconciliation and Peace Building in Enniskillen and County Fermanagh. Photo: Peter O'Reilly/PA Wire

Enniskillen clerics say OBE recognition ‘belongs to all who build bridges’

No one country has a monopoly on historic suffering - but Mr Higgins dwells on his own version of it, and that is unproductive

Letter: Higgins could never let go of historic resentment

Irish president Catherine Connolly is already taking more public interest in foreign policy than she should

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Connolly has the potential to be a serious problem

A bid to rename a Dublin park – named after the former president of Israel, and Belfast-born, Chaim Herzog, pictured – has backfired on Sinn Fein

Ruth Dudley Edwards: SF have made Irish seem most anti-semitic in Europe

Catherine Connolly during her inauguration ceremony as Ireland's 10th president in Dublin Castle. Picture date: Tuesday November 11, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire

Catherine Connolly vows all voices will be heard as she becomes president

Catherine Connolly speaking after her inauguration ceremony as Ireland's 10th president in Dublin Castle. Picture date: Tuesday November 11, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire

Catherine Connolly declared President of Ireland

Morning View

Editorial: A timely report about Irish duplicity on foreign affairs

Catherine Connolly may find her pacifist, left-wing politics do not go down well with America or with NATO, both of which Ireland derives huge benefits from, writes Ruth Dudley Edwards

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Connolly on collision course with reality of world politics

Morning View

Editorial: Irish election shows it gets ever more republican

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly is hugged by supporters at the Dublin Castle count in Ireland's presidential election to replace Michael D Higgins. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Sinn Fein-backed Catherine Connolly promises to be an Irish president for all

A ballot box is emptied as counting begins at the Punchestown Racecourse, County Kildare, in Ireland's presidential election to replace Michael D Higgins, who has served the maximum two seven-year terms. The candidates are independent Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys

Connolly ‘absolutely delighted’ as early tallies show commanding lead

The ballot paper used to elect the next Irish president is on display at Claddagh National School in Galway city, Co Galway

Counting to begin in Ireland’s presidential election

Michael Rooney, his wife Stephanie, and their granddaughter leave the Deaf Village in Cabra, north Dublin, after casting their vote in the election for the next Irish president. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Candidates cast votes as polling stations open in Irish presidential election

Early voters arrive at Scoil Mhichil Naofa (St Michael's National School) in Athy, Co Kildare, as voting beings in Ireland's presidential election. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Voting has started in the Irish presidential election

(left-right) Sarah McInerney, independent candidate Catherine Connolly, Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys and presenter Miriam O'Callaghan ahead of the final debate of the Irish presidential election campaign at the RTE studios in Donnybrook, Dublin. Picture date: Tuesday October 21, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Connolly and Humphreys make late push for votes as they canvass across Ireland

Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly speaks to the media at a rally in Monaghan town, during campaigning for the Irish presidential election. Photo : Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire

Connolly and Humphreys make late push for votes as they canvass across Ireland
The two candidates for the Irish presidency are making late pushes for votes as they campaign across the country.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

A Presbyterian, Heather Humphreys has shown herself in all her public activities to be wholly non-sectarian. She would have no fear of being at the centre of ceremonial duties required of a president

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Humphreys is best suited for Irish presidency

The grumpy Irish electorate was left with Heather Humphreys, Catherine Connolly - a proud member of the loony left, endorsed by Sinn Fein - and Jim Gavin. Pic: Conor O'Mearain/PA Wire

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Exit of Gavin might lead to a worse president than Higgins

Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys leaving the first presidential debate on The Tonight Show, at Virgin Media Television Studios in Dublin. Picture date: Monday September 29, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Irish presidential candidates say flag should be seen as a ‘symbol of unity’

Dr Martin Mansergh, who sadly passed away

Tributes lead to Martin Mansergh after his death aged 78

Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys is one of three candidates remaining in the Irish presidential race

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Honest debate in Irish president vote avoided

Sinn Fein party president Mary Lou McDonald (centre), stands with vice president Michelle O'Neill and Pearse Doherty, during an announcement in Dublin, that Sinn Fein will back the independent candidate Catherine Connolly in her bid to become the next president of Ireland

Sinn Fein backs independent Catherine Connolly for the Irish presidency

Sinn Fein is to announce its position in the Irish presidential race

Sinn Fein to set out position over Irish presidential contest later today

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins

President of Ireland is a ‘nasty little man’ says DUP councillor

Padraic Fiacc (1924-2019), was born in what was then Elizabeth Street, not far from the Falls Road in Belfast

Ulster History Circle blue plaque to be unveiled for Belfast poet Padraic Fiacc

A portrait of Irish president Michael D Higgins was removed from a reception room at Belfast City Hall used by the lord mayor, the DUP's Tracy Kelly

Letter: Michael D Higgins portrait should be reinstated

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins describes himself as a ‘passionate political voice and champion of creativity within Irish society'

Ruth Dudley Edwards: What a spectacle a clash of Higgins and Trump would’ve been
Senator Michael McDowell recently ruled himself out as a candidate for the Irish presidency. I wasn't surprised.
Ruth Dudley Edwards

File photo dated 29/10/10 of Lord Henry Mount Charles, beside the Phil Lynott statue in Dublin city centre. Tributes have been paid to Slane Castle's Lord Henry Mount Charles, who has died aged 74. He died late on Wednesday after "a long and valiant" battle with cancer, his family said. Issue date: Thursday June 19, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Tributes paid to Slane Castle’s Lord Henry Mount Charles, who has died aged 74

Michelle O'Neill pictured among the mourners at the funeral for Pope Francis. Image: Michelle O'Neill/Twitter

Michelle O'Neill hails late pope's ‘vision for a fairer, more just world’

Mourners in a queue to enter St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, to view Pope Francis's open coffin as preparations are being made for the funeral of the 88-year-old's Pontiff on Saturday following his death on Easter Monday. Picture date: Friday April 25, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story DEATH Pope. Photo credit should read: PA Wire

Quarter of a million people viewed Pope’s body over three days, says Vatican

The UK Government is “choosing weapons of war over people and public services”, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said.

TUV responds to Michelle O'Neill representing NI at funeral of Pope Francis

Pope Francis arrives to attending the closing Mass at the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin in 2018. Photo: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Republic of Ireland leaders to attend Pope Francis funeral in Rome

Irish president Michael D Higgins used the setting of Holocaust Memorial Day to criticise Israel and direct the attention of those assembled towards Gaza

Letter: Holocaust Memorial Day no place for politics

The casket of acclaimed Belfast poet Michael Longley, is taken from All Souls Church in Belfast following his funeral. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Poet Michael Longley touched souls with just a few words, funeral hears

Poet Michael Longley

Funeral of Belfast poet Michael Longley to take place

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins appears to have forgotten the hideous atrocities of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched their attack on Israel, writes Ruth Dudley Edwards

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Higgins’ persistence over Israel is damaging relations

Morning View

Editorial: An ill-timed criticism of Israel from President Higgins

President Michael D Higgins arriving for Sunday’s Holocaust event in Dublin. In his speech, Mr Higgins referenced the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, describing it as long overdue and that a heavy price had been paid for it

Little-Pengelly criticises Irish president over Gaza comments at Holocaust event

Irish President Michael D Higgins with Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichenthal as they arrive at a Holocaust Memorial Day event at the Mansion House in Dublin.

Protests at Irish President's address to Holocaust Memorial event in Dublin

Irish President Michael D Higgins signs warrant of Appointment and presents the Seal of Office to newly elected Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin. Photo: Maxwell's/PA Wire

Irish PM finally confirmed after yesterday's chaos in Dail

Irish President Michael D Higgins still plans to speak at National Holocaust Memorial Day next Sunday

Irish president rejects call for him to stay away from Holocaust memorial

Irish premier Simon Harris doesn’t see the need to align Ireland with its European counterparts on the working definition of antisemitism

Letter: Policy stance diminishes claims of no antisemitism

Simon Harris arriving at Aras an Uachtarain where he formally tendered his resignation as Taoiseach to Irish President Michael D Higgins as part of the formalities for the first sitting of the country's newly-elected parliament

New Irish parliament will not be silenced in calling for peace in Gaza

Irish President Michael D Higgins hosting a credential ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin for 'Ambassador of the State of Palestine' H.E. Jilan Abdaljamid on Tuesday 17 December 2004. Photo: Irish President

Backlash against Higgins over his 'lies' about Israel

Irish President Michael D Higgins with Simon Harris in Aras an Uachtarain where he formally tendered his resignation as Taoiseach as part of the formalities for the first sitting of the country's newly-elected parliament

Irish premier tenders resignation as new parliament meets

ine Gael leader Mr Harris will go to President Michael D Higgins’s residence at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin’s Phoenix Park

Election campaign to formally start in Ireland with dissolution of Dail

President Michael D Higgins is ‘a disgrace’ over his stance on Israel, wrote Ruth Dudley Edwards in a recent News Letter column, and now Robin Bury agrees

Letter: Shame on those not supporting Israel

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins accused the Israeli Embassy in Dublin of circulating a letter he wrote to the President of Iran

Letter: Higgins – not the Israelis – made Iran letter into an issue

Nell McCafferty’s frequent rudeness towards and about men was deplorable, writes Ruth Dudley Edwards

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Nell and I got on well, but she could be a frightful pain

Renowned author, journalist and feminist activist Nell McCafferty has died at the age of 80. Issue date: Wednesday August 21, 2024.Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Irish journalist and feminist activist Nell McCafferty dies aged 80

Classical pianist and conductor Barry Douglas has enjoyed a remarkable international career (Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

Acclaimed pianist Douglas is ‘buoyed up’ for festival

Barry Douglas with his Camerata Orchestra on the last night of the 2016 festival at Clandeboye

Barry Douglas to celebrate Camerata Ireland's 25th anniversary

Edna O’Brien’s early books were banned in Ireland

Edna O'Brien, acclaimed Irish novelist, dies at age of 93

Relatives of victims attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial to the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings on Talbot Street in Dublin, to mark the 50th anniversary of the bombings

Wreath-laying ceremony marks 50th anniversary of Dublin-Monaghan bombings

New Fine Gael leader Simon Harris leaving Aras an Uachtarain on Tuesday after meeting the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins

Election of new taoiseach Simon Harris 'is a chance to reset relations'

News you can trust since 1737

© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Terms and Conditions Privacy notice