Tipperary man has lunch with President of Ireland Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina Higgins

I had a wonderful day on Tuesday April 1, when I travelled to Áras an Uachtaráin for the presentation of my latest book, 'Tipperary Talks’ to Mrs Sabina Higgins.

I had written to her assistant to say that I had published my second book, and I was really overjoyed to receive an email inviting me to present the book to Mrs Higgins over lunch.

It was a great honour for me to be received by Mrs Sabina Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin for the presentation of my book.

It was really wonderful for me to spend time with Mrs Higgins and discuss aspects of my book. She took particular interest in the stories of Fr Alec Reid, who played such an influential role in the Peace Process of the former farmers leader and MEP TJ Maher, of Paddy Clancy of The Clancy Brothers and of the late Harry Gleeson, reading out the caption under the picture of his remains being brought into Holycross Abbey.

I spoke to Mrs Higgins about the homecoming of Harry to his native place and that it was the President that had pardoned Harry posthumously for a crime that he did not commit. Mrs Higgins also referenced some of my poetry and paid a very warm tribute to my poem ‘The Child in this War.'

The occasion was made extra special when The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, joined us.

I was honoured to have the opportunity to discuss the book further with the President and to speak with him at length about my voluntary work with the Tipperary International Peace Award and with the organisation of the National Conference on strokes, which will take place in the Cashel Palace Hotel on Monday April 28.

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The President was of course very much aware of my work with the Tipperary International Peace Award and he commended the great work of the Convention. It was also a very important opportunity for us both to be able to discuss issues around strokes, something that has affected us both. The President suffered a stroke in February (of 2024) and has made an excellent recovery and we spoke about the challenges of recovery.

I briefed the President on the upcoming National Conference and we both agreed that it was a very important event for stroke survivors, carers and professionals. The President said that he would like to take the opportunity to encourage people to attend the Conference, and wished myself and the committee members the very best of luck with the event.

The President and Mrs Higgins thanked me for the presentation of my book and wished me every success with it. Before I left, I was taken on a tour of Áras an Uachtaráin by Mrs Higgins. It was such an honour to be received by both the President and Mrs. Higgins, and a day that I will never forget.

'Tipperary Talks' is available from Bookworm in Thurles, Callanan's in Emly, Joe Whelan's in Tipperary Town, O'Connell's in Bansha, and Moroney's in Aherlow.

It is also available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tipperary-Talks-Mr-Martin-Quinn/dp/B0DPVR4Y9L