Media Library

President attends inauguration of the Irish in Latin America Exhibition, Palacio Segundo Cabo

The Irish in Latin America exhibition has been developed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Embassies of Ireland in Mexico and Argentina, in collaboration with Dr. Margaret Brehony, President of the Society for Irish Latin American Studies, of which President Higgins is Patron. 
 
The exhibition tells some of the key stories of the contribution by Irish men and women to Latin America’s political and economic development over the past number of centuries, highlighting the role of the Irish in independence and revolutionary struggles, nation building, and contributions to other areas, notably the artistic sphere. 
President Higgins inaugurated the English-language version of the exhibition in UCC on 26 January 2017.   
 
The launch of the exhibition in Cuba will take place in the Palacio Segundo Cabo at the Plaza de Armas.  Formerly the residence of the Vice Captain General of the island, the Palacio Segundo Cabo is undergoing restoration and conversion into a cultural centre and museum with a particular focus on cultural exchange between Cuba and Europe (its restoration has been funded by the European Union).  

Keynote Address at Colegio Universitario San Géronimo

Keynote Address at Colegio Universitario San Géronimo
University of Havana, Cuba, 17 February, 2017

Address at the Launch of Star Of The Sea by Joseph O’Connor

President Higgins, along with the Cuban Minister for Culture Abel Prieto and the author Joseph O'Connor, launched the publication of the Cuban edition of the novel 'Star of the Sea'' by Irish writer Joseph O'Connor.

The novel was launched at the Havana Book Fair, one of the largest Book Fairs in Latin America. According to the Cuban Ministry of Culture, this will be the first Irish novel to be published in Cuba since James Joyce's 'Ulysses'.

The launch took place in the iconic Morro Cabaña complex of fortifications which overlooks Havana Bay, where the Book Fair takes place each year. A number of other authors also participated in this year's Fair, including Colm Toibin, Michael McCaughan, Lisa McInerney, Dermot Keogh and Pura Lopez.