President and Sabina Higgins to host a series of themed Garden Parties at Áras an Uachtaráin
Date: Tue 4th Jun, 2019 | 17:17
This summer, President and Sabina Higgins will again be opening up Áras an Uachtaráin to members of the public, for a series of Garden Parties.
The President and Sabina organise the themed Garden Parties to continue a tradition begun by President Hyde and to celebrate, among others, the work of people and organisations working to promote a fairer, more inclusive and creative Ireland.
The themes for the Garden Parties reflect the themes that President Higgins has chosen for his second term, including citizen action, democratic participation and sustainable development.
- The first Garden Party will take place on 5 June and celebrates the centenary of the first sitting of Dáil Éireann.
Throughout the President’s first term President Higgins led many significant commemorations during the 1912-1916 period. By hosting this ‘Dáil 100’ event the President will be paying tribute to those who by their courage took what the President has called this act of national self-determination – the meeting of the first Dáil. The event also celebrates the successes and potential of our democracy.
- Saturday, 8 June ‘Family Day’ will be a celebration for families including parents, grandparents and children throughout Ireland. Families will be invited to celebrate the love and solidarity that family provide us – in all their diverse shapes and sizes.
- Gender-based Violence will be the theme for the President’s third Garden Party which focuses on the need to put an end to gender-based violence. The President will highlight Sustainable Development Goal 5 - achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. The President and Sabina have invited people working in women’s shelters and in organisations working for the implementation for the Istanbul Convention ie ‘preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence’.
- The 16 June Garden Party is a celebration of Bloomsday, and of Ireland’s arts and culture. This year’s Bloomsday event will be a celebration of Ireland on Screen,paying tribute to all those involved in TV and film production.
- The fifth Garden Party this year will take place on Wednesday 19 June and is a celebration of those who work to support refugees and people seeking asylum, fleeing persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, social group or political views.
- On Friday 21 June, the President will host a special Presidential Concert, celebrating Irish country music.
- The President and Sabina will host a Garden Party on Sunday 23 June on the President’s initiative ‘Participation and Transformation’ celebrating the work of the Union of Students in Ireland and Macra na Feirme.