
President Michael D. Higgins to release spoken word album
The 10-track album is due be released on September 5, not long before the end of Higgins' second term as president in November.
The title track, Against All Certainty, has already been released and is available now via streaming platforms. 'Incredibly interesting life'
Higgins, 84, began his political career in 1973 when he was appointed to the Seanad by Taoiseach Liam Cosgrove.
He later served two terms as TD for Galway West and for several years was Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
However, throughout his political career, he also worked as a writer, broadcaster and poet.
He had a regular column for the music magazine Hot Press and has had four poetry collections published, as well as a number of non-fiction books.
Against All Certainty is the president's debut spoken word album and will feature 10 of his most well-known works.
"Listeners can expect to find themselves fully transposed into the incredibly interesting life and times of the poet before he became Ireland's President, from childhood to adulthood," press for the album states.
The album was recorded in Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence and office of the President of Ireland.
The tracks will be set to musical compositions by O'Reilly, a member of the band Juno Falls, who has also directed a number of music videos and documentaries. 'Prodigious poems'
Against All Certainty will be released on CD, hardback CD book and vinyl formats by Claddagh Records.
Irish novelist, playwright and poet Sebastian Barry, who was Laureate for Irish Fiction from 2018 until 2021, hailed the president's work.
"These are truly prodigious poems by Michael D. Higgins — not just a milestone in his own work but in Irish poetry," he said.
President Higgins will step down from his role later this year, having served the maximum two terms.
The album is available to pre-order from Claddagh Records by clicking here.
See More: Claddagh Records, Michael D Higgins, Poetry
Hashtags

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


The Irish Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
RTE star enjoys ‘glorious weekend' as she jets off on holiday with telly pals and ‘shocks' fans
RTE star Miriam O'Callaghan has jetted over to Spain for a sun-soaked trip alongside some familiar TV faces. The Prime Time host has been enjoying a break away from presenting this week in the beautiful city of San Sebastian. 3 Miriam O'Callaghan soaked up the sun in San Sebastian with pals 3 Miriam shared snaps of her sunshine trip on social media 3 Miriam captured beautiful pictures of San Sebastian The popular presenter took to The 65-year-old looked sensational as she posed for a smiling selfie with her friend on the beach front. The glamorous star wore a blue linen bardot top and accessorised with a unique gold charm necklace. READ MORE IN RTE In another photo, Miriam and Steve beamed as they stood in for a snap with their pals right beside the sea. The Irish host also took a stunning picture of the golden coastline in San Sebastian as the blue skies loomed over. Later, the couples did some sightseeing around the city where they encountered old medieval buildings and jaw-dropping viewing points. To finish off their day on Sunday, Miriam and her husband did what any Irish couple would on holiday - watch the All-Ireland Final. Most read in News TV Unfortunately, the star noted how they had "searched high and low" for a pub or bar that would be showing the match on TV, but were unsuccessful. Instead, the pair opted to find a wine bar and streamed the match on their phone. Miriam O'Callaghan shares snaps from Paddy's Day celebrations Miriam shared a snap of their two wine glasses and Steve's iPhone balancing on the table. The presenter penned in her caption: "We improvised and watched it in all its glory! What a game. Congrats Tipp." 'THEY HAD ONE JOB' And fans were left shocked when the star told how there were no Irish bars showing the game. Avila wrote on Instagram: " Was it not on in any Irish bars?? That's shocking! #theyhadonejob." Marian said: "Perhaps you weren't meant to watch it, do I see a Cork jersey ?" While Simon joked: "The, 'We must find the hurling final!!!', drive is a perfect encapsulation of my internal being." And Annie added: "Can't believe they weren't showing it."


Irish Independent
9 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Postcard from Louth's past launched by Louth County Council
The eight-postcard collection, an initiative of Louth County Council's arts office, and funded under the Decade of Centenaries programme in 2024, is available through local library services, while stocks last. Led by Louth County Council Arts Officer Moya Hodgers, the collection was developed last year with the assistance of local historian Donal Hall, who provided ideas for the illustrations as well as background to each of the events. Images were created by award-winning illustrator Alan Dunne. Alan's work in young adult publications and graphic novels has been critically acclaimed, and he has also worked on key projects such as 'The Great Irish History Book' by Myles Dugan. His illustrations bring to life key events such as the Shelling of Millmount Tower in June 1922 and the public launching of Cumann na Ban in Dundalk in February 1916. The Decade of Centenaries programme has been running since 2016, and each year local authorities across the country have been provided with government funding to commission projects of historical, cultural and creative value. From Historian in Residence programmes in local libraries to theatre productions and visual art projects, all commissions engage with the public and celebrate Irish history. Last year, the arts office launched the children's novel Sorcha, Queen of the Castle, with free copies being made available to every primary school in the county, as well as available to lend from your local library. This collection of eight postcards can now be viewed in the newly opened Dunleer library in its new place of residence. Sets of the postcard collection are also now available in each of the five libraries across the county and are free of charge to members of the public while stocks last, so call into your local branch to get your copy.


The Irish Sun
38 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Fans shocked as rock star worth £111m is seen queuing for Ryanair flight
FANS have been left totally shocked after spotting a rock star worth £111m queuing for a Ryanair flight. Not only was this Irish superstar seen about to board a budget flight, but he told a fan: "I don't spend millions on luxury travel." Advertisement 5 Famous people seemingly travel with budget airlines, too Credit: Getty 5 Bob Geldof was seen at Venice's Marco Polo airport on Friday Credit: SWNS 5 He wore a white shirt and a beige hat Credit: SWNS 5 He posed with travel content creator Jay Curtis Credit: SWNS Boomtown Rats frontman The Live Aid founder was seen by a fan as he waited at the check-in queue for his flight. Seen with his bandmates at Venice's Marco Polo airport, Bob was waiting to board his plane to London, as per reports. One onlooker saw Bob waiting in line and noted how he had queued with regular members of the public who were also flying, for an hour. Advertisement Read More about Celebs Fellow passenger Jay Curtis, 39, saw Bob as he was waiting to board the plane. As well as seeing him in line, he also saw him enjoying a croissant and a coffee whilst waiting for his flight, believed to be to London, on Friday afternoon. Speaking to "There was quite a long queue at the Ryanair check-in, and Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive "I had a selfie with him in the line but saw him twice again. "He was sat in a cafe after security about three or four tables away from me, having a coffee and a croissant. Watch as Bob Geldof 'leaks' The One Show secret live on air - leaving viewers 'feeling lied to' "I was just surprised; the guy's worth $150m and he's queuing with everyone else." He then explained how he was "quite shocked" and noted how he "was not priority or anything". Advertisement Mr Curtis went on to say how Bob and his band "didn't even pay to fast-track security or anything". Mr Curtis, who is a travel influencer, spoke to Bob and asked him: "Why are you flying Ryanair?" I don't spend money on luxury travel. Bob Geldof to fellow plane passenger Bob replied: "I don't spend money on luxury travel." The traveller then explained how his flight to Bristol from Venice was £47. Advertisement "So he's probably not spent much more than that on his flight," he added. The Irish rocker is widely recognised for his activism and charity work. In 1984, he teamed up with Midge Ure to found the charity supergroup Band Aid to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. Bob and Midge went on to organise the charity super-concert Live Aid the following year and the Live 8 concerts in 2005. Advertisement 5 Jay Curtis has dished the gossip on his chat with Bob Credit: SWNS