
President Michael D. Higgins to release debut album
The record features ten original poems penned by the President, and is underscored by a musical composition from celebrated musician Myles O'Reilly.
O'Reilly is best known for releasing several ambient albums and collaborating with many renowned artists on the Irish music scene, most notably Ronan O'Snodaigh (of Kila).
The album announcement is accompanied by the release of the lead single and title track 'Against All Certainty', which you can check out below:
To date, Michael D. Higgins has published four collections of poetry — The Betrayal; The Season of Fire; An Arid Season; and New and Selected Poems. Against All Certainty is the first-ever collection of vocal recordings of his works.
The album was recorded in Áras an Uachtaráin, offering an insight into the life and times of the poet, from childhood to adulthood, before he became Ireland's ninth President.
Sebastian Barry, novelist and Laureate for Irish Fiction, describes this incredibly immersive album: 'These are truly prodigious poems by Michael D Higgins — not just a milestone in his own work but in Irish poetry. Readers and listeners will be astonished by their inspired truthfulness and their lovely adroitness of line.
'Because the poet happens to be President of Ireland should not distract from the fact that these poems are written with all the precision and fervour of a free soul, and one that has made no bargain with rectitude or even the meaner sorts of discretion.'
You can pre-order Against All Certainty here.
1. 'The Truth of Poetry'
2. 'Brothers'
3. 'Katie's Song'
4. 'Dark Memories'
5. 'My Mother Married my Father in Mount Melleray in 1937'
6. 'The Death of The Red Cow'
7. 'Against All Certainty'
8. 'The Betrayal'
9. 'The Death of Mary Doyle'
10. 'Stargazer'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Live Aid's message of empathy and action should inspire renewed solidarity today
Michael Buerk's iconic BBC report from Ethiopia in 1984 was not the first to raise the famine alarm bell. Brothers Kevin and Mike Doheny from Ballinalacken, Co Laois, who worked with Concern in Ethiopia had been pleading with broadcasters to film the unfolding catastrophe. While the main networks including the BBC deemed it unsafe to send a crew, the Doheny's persuaded an independent cameraman, Paul Harrison, to travel to Ethiopia in July 1984. Later, back in London, when Harrison was transferring the film to tape at Visnews, the horrific famine footage was seen by a journalist from ITN. It was shown that night on their bulletins with a caption asking for donations to be sent to Concern in Dublin and was later picked up by French, Irish, Canadian and Australian media. It wasn't until October that year that Michael Buerk went to Ethiopia, and while he was not the first reporter to cover the crisis, his broadcast, with harrowing images shot by Kenyan cameraman Mohammed Amin, produced one of the most powerful television reports of the late 20th century. Bob Geldof saw the reports and decided that something, anything, had to be done. Band Aid was born, culminating in eight Live Aid concerts that raised £150 million, (equivalent of £490 million today) for famine relief and development in Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa. The full impact of Live Aid on famine relief has always generated debate but, without question, it not only raised desperately needed funds (Concern alone received £11 million for food supplies for both Ethiopia and Sudan that saved thousands of lives), it also raised an extraordinary level of public awareness, sparking a global movement that led to increased aid spending and policy changes. As Geldof put it: We took an issue that was nowhere on the political agenda and…. were able to address the intellectual absurdity and the moral repulsion of people dying of want in a world of surpluses. Bono, having performed with U2 at Live Aid in London, travelled with his wife, Ali Hewson, to Ethiopia at the end of 1985 where they visited the Concern team in Wollo, the epicentre of the famine. Geldof and Bono, true Irish humanitarian activists, clearly attuned to Ireland's own deeply troubled history of famine, embarked on a lifetime journey that took them from charity fundraising to tackling the deeper structural causes of poverty. 40 years on from the momentous Live Aid concerts, while the narrative and conversations around humanitarian work have changed to be more inclusive and representative, the commitments to end global poverty and hunger have weakened. We have more data, technology and better resources but in a world that is more dangerous, more brutalized, with hunger and starvation on the rise, empathy and action is in short supply. Gaza, Haiti, Yemen, South Sudan and many more contexts are already in what is called "catastrophic food insecurity", one step away from starvation. Sudan, now more than two years into a horrific war has become the world's largest hunger crisis. Famine has been declared in north Darfur and is threatened in 13 other parts of the country. Twenty years ago, when I worked in Darfur, I saw how the horror of conflict and suffering shocked the world and yet when I returned last year, a new generation of Sudanese were reliving the same hell; except, this time, the world is failing to pay adequate attention or provide sufficient resources. Across the globe, humanitarian needs are rising as resources are diminishing. Apart from a handful of donors, including Irish Aid, which have stayed the course, funding levels for humanitarian and development work, already in decline, hit a new crisis level this year. The magnitude and suddenness of funding cuts from major donors means that, at best, 114 million people, 38% of the total number of people in need of humanitarian assistance globally (299.7 million) will be assisted this year, and then only if the $29 billion required to assist them is immediately forthcoming. And this is the problem - as of June 30, just $5.96 billion has been received. In contrast, global military expenditure reached a record high of $2.718 trillion last year, and this figure is set to be surpassed this year. Seventy years on from his 'Chance for Peace" speech, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower's words ring ever more true: "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed'. Across the world, humanitarian actors and civil society are working relentlessly to respond to the escalating needs of conflict-affected populations. However, the lifeline that is humanitarian assistance can only be stretched and cut back so far. It is already at breaking point. If this trend of underfunding for humanitarian crises continues, millions of people in dire, life-threatening circumstances cannot and will not be reached with food, water, shelter, and protection. Many of them will die. It is that simple, that brutal, and totally preventable. Political self-interest We are failing, not just on resource mobilisation, but also at a political level. Human suffering is repeatedly sidelined by political self-interest. World leaders failed to agree an adequate climate finance deal at COP29 to help those countries that suffer the greatest impact of climate change. The UN Security Council has consistently failed in its mandate to maintain peace and security, refusing to call for immediate ceasefires, the protection of civilians, and the safe delivery of humanitarian aid in places such as Gaza and Sudan. The horrific images from Michael Buerk's report which shocked the word into action 40 years ago continue to be played out on our TVs and social media which pound us with even more disturbing images spurring public outrage and demands for political action. Yet with all our digital technology, reporting is highly selective. Little attention is given to the millions of people who struggle in the crises such as those in Sudan, and so many other parts of the world where there are still children dying in their mothers' arms, there are still people desperate for grains of wheat in the sand. They remain out of sight, out of mind, and marginalised from public and political attention. Live Aid broke the deafening silence around famine in Ethiopia. The enduring power of its message of empathy and action should inspire renewed calls for global solidarity in the face of ongoing challenges. We all have a role to play and as the UN turns 80 this year, we must urge member states to put empathy and action at the heart of every decision, and live up to its claim to be the one place on Earth where all the world's nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit ALL of humanity. Dominic MacSorley is Humanitarian Ambassador for the Irish humanitarian organisation, Concern Worldwide. For more details of Concern's work visit


The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Island's Ben reveals future with Andrada and admits he's had a ‘reality check' after fans branded him ‘vile'
AXED Love Island star Ben Holbrough has opened up about his future with Andrada - and admitted he's had a 'reality check'. The OG Islander was Advertisement 4 Axed Love Island star Ben admits he's had a "reality check" Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 He and Shakira didn't always see eye to eye Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 He later met Irish bombshell Andrada in Casa Amor Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Days after their exit, the pair appeared on podcast Ben shared how he's had a "reality check" after He said: "We had Yasmin, Toni, Shakira - I had my run-ins with them. The thing is, it was all such silly things as well. "Not using it as an excuse, but feelings and emotions are just so heightened. It's the littlest things that can trigger you." Advertisement Read more on Love Island Ben continued: "For me, the way I went about it, I should've went about it so much more differently. The way I spoke, the language and stuff. "It's not until I watched it back that you realise - obviously with certain situations in life, you have arguments. "But you never see it back. You're never in a position where you can watch it back and see how you actually were. "I think me actually watching it back especially, gave me like a real reality check of, 'I don't like how I spoke', Advertisement Most read in Love Island Exclusive Elsewhere, the pair also addressed the future of their blossoming new relationship. Andrada said they were "taking it easy" and it was still "very early days." Watch steamy moment Love Island's Ben has three-way snog with Casa girls She added: "We're just taking it day by day and getting to know each other more and more." Ben entered the ITV2 villa on Day 1, where he was Advertisement However, bombshell Toni He would ultimately later recouple with Shakira - and also explored connections with Yasmin and Helena. Love Island 2025 full lineup : A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. : A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. : A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. : International business graduate with brains and ambition. : A gym enthusiast with a big heart. : A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. : A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. : A towering 6'5' personal trainer. : A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. : Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. : The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. : Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Giorgio Russo : The 30-year-old will be spending his summer in the sun, potentially his sister Alessia's successful tournament at the Euros in Switzerland. : Professional DJ from Manchester who appeared on X Factor 2016 in girl group Four of Diamonds. : Miss Bikini Ireland 2019 winner who hails from Dublin and works as a nail technician and personal trainer. Emma Munro: Harry Cooksley's ex who entered as a bombshell and works as a hydrogeologist. Departures : : Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. : A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. : A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. : A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell . : Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. Poppy Harrison: The bombshell broke up with her boyfriend after finding out she would be in the villa Will Means : The fourth fittest farmer in the UK according to Farmers' Weekly in 2023 entered the villa as a bombshell : An Irish actress part of the OG line-up. : 23-year-old personal banker from Glasgow who fancies herself as a 'good flirt'. : 27-year-old gym hunk who entered the show as a bombshell . Shakira had recoupled again but had no romantic spark between them. Upon meeting the new girls, Ben and Andrada soon hit off and began their connection. Advertisement They were coupled up in the main villa, before ultimately Love Island airs on ITV2 and ITVX. 4 Ben and Andrada are continuing to explore their connection Credit: Shutterstock Editorial


The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Axed Love Islander Andrada reveals villa feud is worse than fans see on TV after furious row with Meg
AXED Love Island star Andrada revealed a villa feud is worse than what fans see on TV. Irish bombshell Andrada, 27, 4 Andrada and Meg clashed in the villa Credit: Eroteme 4 OG Islander Meg arrived on the first day Credit: Eroteme 4 Ben and Andrada were axed together after being voted 'least compatible' Credit: Eroteme The couple recently appeared on podcast Love Island: The Morning After. During the episode, Andrada opened up about joining the Islanders She addressed the villa girls' pre-existing groups of Helena & Meg, as well as Shakira , Toni & Yasmin. Asked whether the Casa girls became their own group, Andrada shared: "You were able to join the other groups. Read more on Love Island "You know, [Shakira and Toni] did even say like, "Thank God you came in because [you all] are a great addition to the team. "Everyone was just so lovely - they were very, very welcoming." It comes as Andrada Dejon grew close to Andrada in , calling her "babygirl" and saying she was the "best bombshell" they'd had. Most read in Love Island When they returned to the villa Dejon admitted he was still "open" and wanted to carry on getting to know her. But after Love Island's Ben admits he's had a 'reality check' after fans branded him 'vile' Speaking in her exit interview, Andrada said: "Dejon is a very smart and calculated guy who knows how and when to use his words. "We would have a flirty conversation wherein he'd ask me a question, I'd answer it, then I'd return the same question but he wouldn't answer because it would make him look bad. "When we got back into the main Villa, he was still open but then Meg got on his back and was upset. Then he shut it off. "I don't think that he shut it off because he wanted to, he did it because Meg told him so. "I definitely feel like things would have been very different if she wasn't there." Love Island 2025 full lineup : A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. : A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. : A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. : International business graduate with brains and ambition. : A gym enthusiast with a big heart. : A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. : A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. : A towering 6'5' personal trainer. : A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. : Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. : The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. : Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Giorgio Russo : The 30-year-old will be spending his summer in the sun, potentially his sister Alessia's successful tournament at the Euros in Switzerland. : Professional DJ from Manchester who appeared on X Factor 2016 in girl group Four of Diamonds. : Miss Bikini Ireland 2019 winner who hails from Dublin and works as a nail technician and personal trainer. Emma Munro: Harry Cooksley's ex who entered as a bombshell and works as a hydrogeologist. Departures : : Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. : A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. : A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. : A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell . : Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. Poppy Harrison: The bombshell broke up with her boyfriend after finding out she would be in the villa Will Means : The fourth fittest farmer in the UK according to Farmers' Weekly in 2023 entered the villa as a bombshell : An Irish actress part of the OG line-up. : 23-year-old personal banker from Glasgow who fancies herself as a 'good flirt'. : 27-year-old gym hunk who entered the show as a bombshell . Andrada and Ben were sent packing after the public voted them the least compatible couple. Speaking about her future with Ben, she said: "We want to see where things go because we get along very well. "There's nothing I can fault about the guy. He's a gentleman and treats me like a princess." Love Island airs on ITV2 and ITVX. 4 Andrada and Ben later appeared on Aftersun Credit: Shutterstock Editorial