Speeches By President Of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins

Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins this presented this year’s Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad at a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin. The MC for the event was Doireann Ní Bhriain. This year’s ten recipients are: Séamus Coleman, Republic of Ireland international football captain Patrick Leahy, Former United States Senator Aduke Gomez, Irish-Nigerian scholar Rosalind Scanlon, Artistic Director of Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, London Professor Enrico Terrinoni, translator of Irish literature into Italian Orla Kiely, fashion designer Sr Teresa McKeon, missionary and educator in Sierra Leone (in absentia) Mary O’Neill, legal advocate in Los Angeles Pam O’Mahony, Irish community supporter in Australia Stella O’Leary, Observer to the International Fund for Ireland The Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad recognise the service given to this country or to Irish communities abroad by those who live outside Ireland. The Awards were establi