President Higgins was conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa by the Chancellor of the University of Manchester, Nazir Afzal OBE, in recognition of his extensive and significant contributions to literature and public life.
The citation was read by Professor John McAuliffe, Reader in Modern Literature and Creative Writing and Co-Director of the New Writing Centre at the University.
The conferral ceremony, with a dinner in the President’s honour, took place place at the Whitworth Art Gallery, which forms part of the University. The ceremony was attended by the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell.
