Media Library

President addresses State Parliament of Western Australia

President Higgins became the first Head of State to address the joint Houses of Parliament of Western Australia. 

In his address, entitled "Ireland and Australia – A Deep, Historic and Valuable Contemporary Relationship", the President spoke of the historic links between Ireland and Australia, the history of migration and colonialism, and the importance of ethical remembrance.

President Receives Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Australia

The President was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Western Australia for his many achievements, including his advocacy on behalf of minority groups, the poor, the marginalised and the underprivileged.

The University of Western Australia (UWA) was established in 1911 as the State's first university. It was also the first free university in the British Empire, actively promoting equal access to tertiary education for all social classes.

Speech at the Unveiling of an Irish Famine Memorial, Subiaco, Perth, Australia

The President unveiled a Famine Memorial in Subiaco Park.

The sculpture, commissioned by the West Australia Irish Famine Commemoration committee, is designed by Charlie Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith, originally from Waterford, and commemorates the Great Irish Famine.

In addition to the sculpture, the Committee has sourced and donated Famine Travel Boxes, commemorating the 4,000 women who were sent from workhouses in Ireland to Australia.

Replicas of the Travel Boxes have been made by the Irish Prison Service and one was presented to President Higgins in January 2017.  (See http://www.president.ie/en/diary/details/president-presented-with-the-famine-times-travel-box-made-by-prisoners )