Media Library

President Higgins Addresses Mothers At A ‘Latching On’ Morning 2017

As part of National Breastfeeding Week Sabina Higgins hosted a reception and ‘Latching On’ morning in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Sabina welcomed more than 90 breastfeeding mothers and their babies along with supporters and campaigners for breastfeeding. Representatives of Cuidiú, La Leche League of Ireland, Friends of Breastfeeding, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and Baby Friendly Health Initiative, Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services Ireland and Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland were in attendance. 

Experts consider breastfeeding during the baby’s first year as crucial for its growth and development. Breast milk provides the nutritional properties that is needed by infants in the early stages of life.  It provides long term protection for the baby and paves the way for preventing childhood obesity.  Breastfeeding helps mothers recover quicker after given birth, they have a strong bond with their child and it reduces the risk of post-natal depression, breast and ovarian cancer.

Speech at a Reception for Representatives from Poetry Ireland and Children’s Books Ireland

President Michael D. Higgins received representatives of Poetry Ireland to mark its 40th anniversary and Children’s Books Ireland to mark its 20th anniversary

Speech at the Opening of The Clifden Arts Festival 2017

President Michael D. Higgins will formally open the 40th Clifden Arts Festival.

The President will pay tribute to those who initiated and managed the festival through the years, in close cooperation with the local community.

Since his inauguration in 2011, President Higgins has spoken on numerous occasions of how the development of culture and creativity in our society can help create the foundations for an inclusive citizenship, built on a sense of shared meaning, heritage and identity.