Michael D. Higgins

Michael Daniel Higgins (born 18 April 1941) is an Irish politician who was the 9th President of Ireland. He took office on 11 November 2011. Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster. 

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.

 Early life 
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 
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.

Related pages
List of sociologists from Europe

References

Other websites

Biography at Áras an Uachtaráin website
 Documentary about Michael D. Higgins (family, career, and presidential campaign)  on YouTube, TG4,  2011.
Presidential election acceptance speech (RTÉ video in Irish and English)  
Presidential inauguration speech (Text)
Audio recording of speech opening the G. B. Shaw: Back in Town conference, Dublin 2012
Henry, William (2002). Role of Honour: The Mayors of Galway City 1485–2001. Galway: Galway City Council. 

Category:1941 births
Category:Living people
Category:Presidents of Ireland
Category:People from Limerick