President Michael D Higgins to release album of poetry
The spoken word album, called 'Against All Certainty', will feature 10 original poems, set to music from Myles O'Reilly.
The album was recorded in Áras an Uachtaráin and will be put out by Claddagh Records.
President Higgins has published four books of poetry. This will be his first recorded project in the spoken word.
Those behind the project said listeners can expect to "find themselves fully transposed into the incredibly interesting life and times of the poet before he became Ireland's President, from childhood to adulthood".
A series of videos will also be released as part of the project, which, among things, will depict the "hardship of the President's" early life.
'Against All Certainty' will be available in a number of formats, including CD and vinyl.
It will be released on 5 September.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
President Higgins leads tributes to Irish filmmaker George Morrison who died aged 102
Prolific Irish filmmaker George Morrison has sadly passed away at the amazing age of 102, and Michael D Higgins was one of the first to pay tribute. The Waterford native was best known for the 1959 documentary film, Mise Éire, which presents a history of one of Ireland's most turbulent periods, culminating in the 1916 Rising and Sinn Féin's electoral victory in 1918. In light of his passing, President Higgins, who served as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht from 1993 to 1997, paid tribute to Morrison, hailing him as an 'iconic and foundational figure in Irish filmography'. Pic: Joe Giddens/The statement reads: 'As President of Ireland, may I express my deepest condolences on learning of the death of George Morrison. George Morrison is and will remain an iconic and foundational figure in Irish filmography. 'A filmmaker of immense craft and skill, he will rightly be remembered in particular as a great innovator in the techniques of film, using new and pioneering camera work while realising how film and music could be brought together in a way that is distinctive. 'His seminal works, including Mise Éire and Saoirse as well as his many other films including his early partnership with the Gate Theatre, comprise an outstanding body of work that has made a deep and lasting impact on Irish culture and Irish cultural memory. 'Mise Éire was created following a painstaking process through which George tracked down long lost or forgotten newsreels from the independence period in archives across Europe. This work led to the preservation of 300,000 feet of early 20th century newsreel footage which may have been lost forever without his work. 'I had the honour of bestowing the honour of Saoi of Aosdána on George Morrisson in 2017 and have also had the pleasure of meeting with him on many other occasions over the years, including when we marked his 100th birthday in Áras an Uachtaráin in 2023. 'On behalf of Sabina and myself, may I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those who have been so inspired by his work over the decades.'
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Thousands descend on Wexford as President Michael D Higgins and Anthony Kearns open Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
Last year, Wexford hosted the largest ever Fleadh, smashing the previous record held by Mullingar and the early signs are that the size and number of people attending this Fleadh will even larger Despite the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann only being just a few hours old, thousands of people, young and old and from every corner of Ireland gathered on Wexford's quayfront on Sunday, as the festival was launched at the Wexford Credit Union Gig Rig stage, by President Michael D Higgins, who gave one of his last landmark speeches, as his 14-year term comes to a close. The day got off to a great start with Ceoltóirí na Sláine performing The Paddy Berry Suite. They are a teenage traditional Irish music orchestra which was set up by Barbara Walsh and Shelly O'Grady to coincide with Wexford town being chosen to host the Fleadh in 2024. 75 young musicians from different Comhaltas branches in Wexford came together in a non-competitive way to showcase their talent.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Thousands flock to Wexford as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in full swing for a second day
The festival, hosted by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee, returned to Wexford town for the second time. President Michael D Higgins said Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 'holds a special place in his heart', as he officially opened the festival in Wexford on Sunday. More than 5,000 competitors, 750,000 visitors and numerous performers are expected to descend on Wexford Town for a week of ceol, spraoi and community spirit. While addressing the crowds on Wexford's quay front on Sunday, President Higgins praised the festival for its cultural importance. 'This will be my final occasion opening the Fleadh Cheoil, mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, a festival that holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts of the Irish people, both at home and abroad,' he said. 'As President of Ireland, I would like to say how immensely proud I am of the rich and vibrant Irish traditional music scene that continues to flourish. "We are in the midst of deeply creative period in our music, a folk musical revival fuelled by a resurgence of interest among young people who are embracing traditional music with enthusiasm, passion, creativity and talent. "The Fleadh Cheoil is a perfect example of this vibrant scene, and the perfect platform to showcase such talent,' he added. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan, said it was 'a proud day for our county". "The Fleadh is a powerful expression of who we are as a people — rooted in community, creativity, and a shared love of music and tradition,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT The events will run until Sunday, including concerts, street sessions, performances, culminating with the competitions from Friday. The director of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, Labhras O'Murchú, said the Fleadh is 'more than a festival'. "It is the finest display of who we are as a community and a nation,' he said. "As we approach the 75th year of Comhaltas, it gives me great pleasure to see the road we have travelled, the great joy our traditions bring to so many people and how they connect us around the world.' This year's festival will also see a new stage introduced as an initiative run by the Gaelgeoirí, building on the back of last year's success in an area dedicated specifically to the Irish language. The Seachtain na Gaeilge area based in Selskar is a cultural space where an Ghaeilge will be central to the festival. The event organiser, Darren Ó Ceallaigh, said: 'everyone is welcome to attend and use their cúpla focal'. "Everything we have planned will be accessible for everyone, there's no fear of a language barrier, and you absolutely do not have to be fluent to attend our events,' he said.
