It will be hard to replace President Michael D

By Breda Nathan

With talk of a presidential election and names being pushed and pulled around, I can only feel sad to think of our wonderful president finishing up.

I understand the time is right for him, but who will ever replace this man who has given his life in so many ways to the job.

Politics is never an easy life, but this man has been there in so many ways for so many years.

Quietly working and even as president, no showy ceremonious carry on.

When something needs to be said… He speaks up, when maybe he’s not supposed to, but we know he is forthright and mostly correct.

My entire working life, he was there in the background, solid and sound.

His love of sport is great too.

He is a supporter of Galway soccer and always there for his team in the bad and better times.

His name will live on in Irish sport, he turns up at all events and reading of his final speech as president at the recent Blooms Festival being greeted with a standing ovation and a long and rapturous applause was lovely.

Serving as president since 2011, we must also acknowledge his years in politics before this.

The fact that he is a former sociologist, broadcaster, writer and poet gives him the added interest in all walks of Irish life and we know he is not just showing up dutifully.

In his earlier years he worked tirelessly for equality in education for all who wished to avail of it. He was instrumental in the film industry including the repeal of censorship in the broadcasting acts.

All his life our president has worked for the promotion of peace and democracy in Ireland and actually in other far off countries including Iraq, Chile, Somalia.

He was the first to win the Sean McBride peace prize in Helsinki for his work in justice and peace. He has written books, essays and poems all well worth reading.

We have had good presidents before, including two strong and clever women.

Mary Robinson and Mary McAliese made us proud. Hopefully this will continue when the next nominated person is democratically elected.

When you look across the water and watch and listen to stark raving madness, we can only be relieved that those who are nominated here are safe and sensible.

A world leader dribbling and screaming and bragging about his nuclear arms and intentions for the future of his country, you might be consoled by his old age and think he is raving, but… How many people voted this person in?

Every day we hear worse threats and read about planned bombings.

Are they blind to the pictures of starving children? Do they have any conscience in these countries?

Those making the threats are not suffering the homeless starving conditions of the innocent civilians and kids around them.

We can be so proud of our choices over the two elections our Michael D. won.

He has done us proud. Turning up for all events and occasions.

No big ceremonies just sitting quietly at the matches and all other events.

President Michael D Higgins – may we wish you good health, peace, happiness and many happy years of retirement… But will you still turn up in the crowds.