Michael Daniel Higgins (Irish: Mícheál Dónal Ó hUigínn; born 18 April 1941) is an Irish politician, poet, broadcaster, and sociologist who has been serving as the ninth president of Ireland since 2011. [2]Entering national politics through the Labour Party, he served as a senator from 1973 to 1977 having been nominated by the Taoiseach. [3] Elected in 1981 as a Teachta Dála (TD), he ...

Nov 11, 2011 · A desire to work more directly for equality and justice led Michael D. Higgins to enter public life and he went on to serve as a public representative at many levels from Councillor and Mayor to 9 years in the Seanad and 25 in Dáil Éireann.

Nov 8, 2024 · PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has agreed to dissolve the 33rd Dáil, kicking off the general election. The dissolution of the parliament triggers the start of a short three-week election...

Jan 30, 2025 · Higgins was then elected to represent Galway West in the Dáil (1981–82) and served another term in the Seanad (1983–87), representing the National University of Ireland, before becoming a fixture in the Dáil in the seat for Galway West (1987–2011).

Nov 8, 2024 · President Michael D Higgins (left) and Taoiseach Simon Harris after the signing of the Warrant of Advice and in duplicate of the Proclamation of Dissolution requesting the dissolution of Dail Eireann, at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, …

Nov 8, 2024 · Ireland's General Election for 2024 has officially kicked off after President Michael D. Higgins dissolved the current Dáil Eireann at the request of Taoiseach Simon Harris. As per Irish...

6 days ago · “One of the things you did see with Michael D Higgins in 2011 is that he just stood back in the debates and barely got involved . . . That probably suited him quite well,” said O’Malley.

He is the first president of Ireland to have served in both Houses of the Oireachtas, having previously been a member of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. [57] Before his inauguration, Higgins and his family met his predecessor Mary McAleese and her husband Martin for lunch at Áras an Uachtaráin on 3 November. [58]

He was appointed to Seanad Éireann in 1973 and was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1981 as a Labour Party TD for Galway West. He lost his seat in November 1982 and returned to the Seanad.

The current President is Michael D. Higgins, who commenced his term on 11 November 2011. The President of Ireland is elected by the people of Ireland.