President Michael D. Higgins Visits Kenmare
President Michael D. Higgins and his wife, Mrs. Sabina Higgins, graced Kenmare, Co. Kerry, with their presence on Friday, May 27th, participating in several engagements. These notably included a visit to Cumann na mBan Park and the unveiling of a monument commemorating the War of Independence.
The visit materialized after Senator Mark Daly extended an invitation to the President and Sabina to the area a few years ago. However, due to COVID-19, their visit was postponed.
Reflecting on the occasion, Senator Daly shared with The Kerryman, “It was a great honor for us. I’m the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad this year, on its 100th anniversary, and having served with President Higgins on the Foreign Affairs Committee, I witnessed the passion and depth of knowledge he brings to both national and international issues. We saw that conviction in his speech [on Friday].”
The day's events included unveiling a monument in the town, paying tribute to local involvement in the War of Independence, particularly highlighting the 1921 Headford Ambush. Local primary and secondary school students played an integral role in the day’s festivities, contributing significantly to the event. They showcased their talents by participating in the signing of the national anthem in Irish Sign Language and eloquently reading the proclamation in a multitude of languages, including Irish, English, and Ukrainian.
Senator Daly expressed gratitude that President Higgins could make the trip to Kerry and Kenmare despite a backlog of invites on his desk.