The Michael D Higgins presidency was full of standout moments

President Michael D Higgins managed to build up a relationship with the Irish public and, in many ways, became the grandfather of the nation.

President Michael D. Higgins speaking at Áras an Uachtaráin in 2022.

After 14 years in Áras an Uachtaráin, the Michael D Higgins era has come to an end as he officially ends his two terms as President.

A poet, a former minister, and Ireland’s ninth president, his tenure as Uachtarán na hÉireann had plenty of standout moments.

Criticism of Government

In the latter years of his presidency, Mr Higgins was never afraid to criticise the Government, particularly on housing. In June 2022, he branded the Irish housing crisis as a “disaster” and our “great, great, great failure”.

“Building homes is what is important. It is not to be a star performer for the speculative sector internationally,” he said.

Controversies

President Higgins was never immune to controversy.

In 2016, he rejected suggestions that he neglected human rights concerns when making a statement about the death of former Cuban president Fidel Castro, in which he branded him a “giant among global leaders”.

A spokesperson later clarified that he raised human rights concerns with Cuban government representatives.

In September 2021, President Higgins was forced to deny that he was “snubbing” Queen Elizabeth II as he declined an invitation to a ceremony in Armagh to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland.

He argued the event was marking the “centenary of partition”. He also raised objections to being called the “President of the Republic of Ireland”, rather than the “President of Ireland”.

Ireland's President Michael D. Higgins signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London on September 18, 2022, following the death of Britin's Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: Jonathan Hordle/AFP

In April 2023, he found himself in economists’ bad books, accusing them of having an “obsession” with economic growth. He argued that economics had “lost touch with everything meaningful” and was “devoid of vision”.

Several months later, in June 2023, he apologised to Louise Richardson, the chair of a Government forum on neutrality, for comments he described as a “throwaway remark”. He described her as a person “with a very large DBE – Dame of the British Empire”.

The genocide in Gaza

President Higgins battled constant suggestions that he is antisemitic following his repeated criticisms of Israel’s genocide in Palestine.

Despite the criticism, he continued to call for an end to the famine and starvation in Gaza.

President Higgins receives a courtesy call from H.E. Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, ambassador of Palestine. Picture: Tony Maxwell

Last December, he said it was “gross defamation and slander” to brand those who criticise Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “anti-Semitic”.

In September 2025, at his final appearance at the National Ploughing Championships, he suggested that Israel and countries that supply it with weapons should be excluded from the UN.

President Higgins and wife Sabina attend the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, earlier this year. Picture: Tony Maxwell

His public image

Whether it was Michael D on the BMX, tea cosies, or the nation’s grá for his four Bernese Mountain Dogs — Shadow, Bród, Síoda, and Misneach — President Higgins managed to build up a relationship with the public and, in many ways, became the grandfather of the nation.

President Higgins on a stroll in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin with Misneach and Brod É. Picture: Tony Maxwell

When his health dipped in recent years, there were outpourings of well-wishes.

During his final hours in office, videos of people paying their respects outside the Phoenix Park with their own Bernese Mountain dogs went viral.

While Catherine Connolly certainly connected with the public during the election, she has big boots to fill and even bigger expectations to meet.