Dingle Literary Festival, of which I am extremely proud to be a founder and director, was delighted to welcome President Michael D. Higgins to the Dingle Peninsula to open the 2021 literary festival for the third year.

He was interviewed by journalist and broadcastor with RTÉ, Seán Mac an tSíthigh about his new book, Reclaiming the European Street.

A passionate political voice, academic and human rights advocate, President Michael D. Higgins is also champion of creativity within Irish society, a writer and a poet. The President comes to Dingle to discuss his most recent publication Reclaiming the European Street. In his collection of speeches on European themes, he points to a weakening of solidarity and rising inequalities and highlights the need to learn lessons from the past.

President Michael D. Higgins was elected the ninth President of Ireland in 2011 and was re-elected in 2018 securing the largest number of votes in Irish presidential election history. President Higgins has forged a career as an academic, a poet, and as a public representative serving at every level of public life in Ireland. He was a member of Dáil Éireann for twenty-five years and a member of Seanad Éireann for nine years. He has campaigned extensively for human rights, inclusive citizenship and climate sustainability across the world. Previous works include When Ideas Matter: Speeches for an Ethical Republic (2016), Renewing the Republic (2012) and Causes of Concern (2007).

Members of the voluntary Dingle Lit team with President Michael D. Higgins at the opening of Dingle Lit 2021. (from left to right) Siobhán Prendergast, Dingle Lit Chairperson Sheila O’Reiley, publishing professional Peter McKay (formerly with Thomson Reuters, Elsevier and The Publishing Training Centre), award-winning magazine editor Deanna O’Connor, (front) young student volunteer from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Sibeál Ní hÓgáin, President Michael D. Higgins, Irene Flannery (Writer, West Kerry Live), poet and writer Nicholas McLachlan, Mia Colleran and PCD student, (front) volunteer David O Catháin at The Skellig Hotel in Dingle.