Has Michael D Higgins changed the presidency for ever?

Michael D Higgins will shortly finish his two terms as President of Ireland, having served 14 years as head of State.

In 2011 he said his tenure would be “a presidency of ideas”. But what are they and where in his background and in his impressive and varied pre-Áras career did they come from?

And how has his outspokenness on a wide range of subjects, from foreign affairs to army pay, been received by successive governments? To what extent did his personal popularity insulate him from criticism and even censure when he was perceived to have overstepped the boundaries of the role?

The 84 year-old’s appeal, notably among young people, has secured a prominent place for him in Irish popular culture inspiring a range of “miggledy” memorabilia from T-shirts to tea cosies.But while his public image is that of a warm, affable elder statesman in a tweed suit with a ready smile and an ability to connect with everyone who comes in contact with, his private persona is somewhat different according to Irish Times journalist Naomi O’Leary who has written a long profile of this very popular, effective President.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. 

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