NEW YORK BOSTON |#Popular: Irish Celebrity Gossip Irish in US Politics Irish Festivals Irish Roots Irish Entertainment Offbeat Irish

Home Page > News > The right man for the job - Michael D Higgins well received in New York and Boston

The right man for the job - Michael D Higgins well received in New York and Boston

Higgins makes good impression in US

Irish Voice Editorial,

Published Thursday, May 10, 2012, 7:38 AM

Updated Thursday, May 10, 2012, 9:46 AM

Larger Text

E-mail

12 Comments

Irish president Michael D Higgins

Photo by RTE

Based on the evidence of his first visit to America as president, the Irish have chosen well by selecting Michael D. Higgins as their head of state.

In both New York and Boston Higgins made a very positive impression on both community groups and business leaders as he forged his way through his maiden voyage to America.

His speeches on the consequences of the Irish Famine, on the current state of Ireland and the need for the Irish to reinvent themselves were true intellectual exercises, but thought provoking as well.

As a former politician representing the west of Ireland Higgins understands the emigrant mindset very well, and he certainly came across as warm and approachable in his visits to the Bronx and Queens to visit the Irish centers.

Higgins impressed all those who met him, and we can look forward to having an advocate for the Irish abroad installed in Aras an Uachtarain, his official residence, for the next seven years.

Nster.com

E-mail

12 Comments

See all comments

IrelandNorth | May 12, 2012, 08:52 AM EDT

Depends what you consider the job to be. The vociferous opposition of the republics political establishment to a second president from Northern Ireland betrayed a disposition to share power in the rest of Ireland. Perhaps they were afraid Mc Guinness would be antagonist to their Commonwealth project. Perhaps this website is Fine Gael, since I don't see the previous post I posted last week?

Report abuse

canadianirish | May 11, 2012, 04:52 PM EDT

Would love for him to visit Toronto. Pity he couldn't have stopped by on his recent visit to the U.S.

Report abuse

ciaradexy | May 11, 2012, 02:12 PM EDT

Joan, in Ireland, Irish American and American Irish means the same thing, American and not Irish at all.

Report abuse

ciaradexy | May 11, 2012, 02:12 PM EDT

Joan, in Ireland, Irish American means American as does American Irish.

Report abuse

STEVENSTAR | May 11, 2012, 08:37 AM EDT

WHEN DOES IDIOT GET BACK OFF THIS HOLIDAY ? IVE HAD ENOUGH OF HIM GOING AROUND SHAKING HANDS AND MY TAXES PAYING FOR HIS ALL EXPENSES PAID TRIP I BET ... OH COME HOE YOU FOOL !!

Report abuse

STEVENSTAR | May 11, 2012, 08:28 AM EDT

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHEN THIS IDIOT GETS BACK OFF HIS HOLIDAY AND WHAT EXACTLY IS HE DOING OVER THERE GOING AROUND SHAKING PEOPLES HANDS ??? .... I DIDNT EVEN KNOW HE WAS OVER THERE UNTIL I READ IT ON HERE .. WHAT A WASTE OF MY TAXPAYERS MONEY ...

Report abuse

Murph46 | May 10, 2012, 11:04 PM EDT

Bythebuttinski-don't cry to me cause you can't run your elections! Higgins is elected,and doing a fine job and you can pound salt!

Report abuse

Bythebay | May 10, 2012, 08:05 PM EDT

Michael Higgins wasn't the first choice of the Irish people for President. The first choice was reported to have acted illegally just a couple of days before the election which was proven untrue after the election. It was too late then to correct the election of course.

Report abuse

Bythebay | May 10, 2012, 05:29 PM EDT

He's not a head of state, he's a figurehead with no authority. The Irish Voice editors don't even know about the Irish Government. He didn't return to Ireland with any money either, whatever was collected stayed in the USA, of course!!

Report abuse

Murph46 | May 10, 2012, 01:19 PM EDT

He also broke some fund raising records-good job!Could have used him in San Antonio Joan!

Report abuse

Seanmor | May 10, 2012, 10:15 AM EDT

I'm left with the impression that Higgins excludes those of us whose nationality applies to the whole Irish nation (an náisiún uile agus gach roinn di). Agus cad mar gheall ar na hÉeireannaigh a bbhuil meas mór againn ar theanga na nGael,an bhfuil aon mheas ag Higgins orainn?

Report abuse

joan1954 | May 10, 2012, 09:55 AM EDT

Yes, Michael D would be well received in what is known as the "heartland" of Irish America. The problem is how he would be perceived in the American-Irish communities of the south and southwest where friends must be made and alliances formed. There are differences in the terminology Irish-American and American-Irish. As defined in some parts of the south American-Irish means someone whose heritage is four or more generations back.

Report abuse