Michael D. Higgins

The outgoing Irish president, Michael D Higgins. His softly spoken style and his pretensions to being a poet often disguised uncompromising views and disdain for political opponents. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Owen Polley: Higgins reminded us that ‘new Ireland’ as anti British as old one

Taoiseach Micheal Martin (centre) at the National Day of Commemoration 2025 at Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Former Moderator represents Presbyterian Church at Irish Commemoration event

Relatives mourn during the funeral on Sunday of Antonio Macias, killed by Hamas militants while attending a music festival in southern Israel on October 7. Israel is up against an army of unadulterated evil that is encouraged and helped by rogue nations like Iran and Russia, writes Ruth Dudley Edwards

Ruth Dudley Edwards: We must help Israel defeat this army of unadulterated evil

Orangemen take part in the annual Rossnowlagh procession in Donegal earlier this month. President Higgins has been invited to attend the annual demonstration since 2011 and despite initially indicating he hoped to attend a future annual Twelfth he has not managed to find the time

Letter: Ireland rejects a holiday on Twelfth but it should be one for whole UK

Dublin Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy presents the Pride of Place award to Terry McKeown from Sailortown. They won the Urban Neighbourhoods with a population under 3,000 category.

Belfast community projects win at all-Ireland awards

The Presbyterian identity in the Irish Republic was recognised last weekend when the new Church moderator, Rev Dr John Kirkpatrick, participated in with other faith leaders in the Republic’s ‘National Day of Commemoration’ in Dublin.

Photography by Declan Roughan / Press Eye

Billy Kennedy on churches: Presbyterian moderator takes part in Dublin memorial

People to be banished to a desert island:

From bottom left, heading right, the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill, President Emmanuel Macron of France, beneath him Ian Paisley MP, libel lawyer Paul Tweed, Meghan clutching Harry, President Joe Biden, top, Gerry Adams, then beneath him President Michael D Higgins, PSNI chief constable Simom Byrne, then President Justin Trudeau of Canada, top, Alliance councillor Michael Long, above him and slightly to the right Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney, First Minister Paul Givan, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Other people despatched to the island, but not illustrated, include Carrie Johnson, Martina Anderson, Wales’s First Minister, Mark Drakeford and
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden

Ruth Dudley Edwards: My list of people from 2021 to banish to a desert island

Ruth Dudley Edwards, the author and commentator, who writes a column for the News Letter every Tuesday. She is author of 'The Faithful Tribe: An Intimate Portrait of the Loyal Institutions' and her most recent book is 'The Seven: the lives and legacies of the founding fathers of the Irish republic'

Ruth Dudley Edwards: President Higgins should say sorry for centenary row or go

Ruth Dudley Edwards, the author and commentator, who writes a column for the News Letter every Tuesday. She is author of 'The Faithful Tribe: An Intimate Portrait of the Loyal Institutions' and her most recent book is 'The Seven: the lives and legacies of the founding fathers of the Irish republic'

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Gay Catholic Tory minister will listen to unionist fears

Letter to the editor

Unionists not being realistic in asking for Higgins to rubber stamp partition

Ruth Dudley Edwards, the author and commentator, who now writes a column for the News Letter every Tuesday. She is author of 'The Seven: The Lives And Legacies Of The Founding Fathers Of The Irish Republic'

Ruth Dudley Edwards: President Higgins struck right note on the centenary of Blo...

Legendary performer Van Morrison

Van Morrison birthday songs: Andrea Corr, Gary Lightbody, Hozier, Michael D Higg...

Brendan Grace

Father Ted star passes away after short illness

Irish President, Michael D. Higgins and DUP MEP for Northern Ireland, Diane Dodds.

DUP MEP Diane Dodds blasts President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins over Brexit '...

President Michael Higgins, right, and his wife Sabina at Queens University in Belfast on his visit in May

Police dispute Irish President's security claims during Belfast trip

Team Ulster athletes gathered at Belfast Central train station.

Ulster athletes set for Special Olympics Ireland Games
The final countdown is on for the Special Olympics Ireland Games, as 273 Ulster athletes prepare to compete on a national stage this weekend.
By The Newsroom

Kevin Myers, more than anyone else, revealed the contribution of Irishmen in the First World War

Kevin Myers is amusing, courageous and has exposed much hypocrisy

Ãras an UachtarÃ¡in, residence of the Irish president, where the former president Mary McAleese invited membes of the Orange Order to a garden party on July 12

President Higgins is missing an opportunity to reach out to the Orange Order

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to hold talks with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable George Hamilton greets the Prince of Wales as he attends the PSNI HQ memorial garden opening in Belfast, during their visit to Northern Ireland

Prince meets police chiefs in Northern Ireland ahead of Memorial Garden opening

The funeral cortege for Captain Mark Duffy leaves St Oliver Plunkett Church in Blackrock, after he died when the Irish Coast Guard helicopter he was in crashed off the coast of Co May

WATCH: Tributes paid at funeral of coast guard helicopter crew member killed in ...

President Higgins deserves praise for missing dinner

President Higgins: Attacks undermine right to live in peace

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