Earlier this afternoon, we published a first round of birthday wishes from Irish artists to the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Well, as we said at the time, that was just a start! Here we present, both an additional series of written tributes, and also a fist, wonderful set of video messages (more to follow!), also from artists, that are a mixture of fun, emotional and heart-felt – but which all reflect, in their different ways, the huge inspiration which President Michael D. Higgins has been to Irish people – and to Irish artists especially – since he first emerged on the Irish political scene at the start of the 1980s. But, of course, in particular since he began his period as President of Ireland...

Without further ado, as we arrive at the hour that, birthday parties mostly start, let's hear the voices of the artists as they arrive to the gathering. Welcome to Take 2 of Happy Birthday Mr. President. Back with Take 3 in a while...

DENA ANUK$A
I wish President Higgins the loveliest day celebrating his 80th birthday 🥳 complete legend of a man
– Dena Anuk$a

BABYLAMB
Happy birthday to President Michael D. from Babylamb. You’re a star, we love you!
– Babylamb

DE CARTERET
Happy birthday magic man, Micheal! Hope Bród and Misneach treat you with all the birthday cuddles possible! Love.
– DeCarteret

DOPPLER
Dear Mr. President. I thought you may enjoy this…

Spring throws
a switch

and turns the flowers on
even the old stars come

to see
the newest season

and how
the world is getting on.

The blue ball
keeps on spinning

and we haven't fallen
off yet.

Birds keeping on singing
trying to tell us how

it is
but

...do we listen?

That’s a piece by Donald Dempsey reflecting on Antaine O Raifteiri’s 'Anois Teacht An Earraigh’. Have a lovely birthday and thank you for supporting the arts.
– Doppler

JOHNNY FEAN (Horslips)
We have a lovely memory of meeting Michael D at the opening of the Ennis school of music a few years back, outdoors. The band arrived in glorious sunshine, then the President & his wife Sabina. As we stood there a big black cloud loomed in the background: we were all saying it's a beautiful day it will pass. But no, next thing one of the worst downpours ever descended on us.
There we were all huddled under a canopy, Micheal & Sabina sitting on drum stool and amps but all having a good laugh... It turned out to be a great day. It's great to meet someone who one can hold in awe, but yet feel so comfortable with.
We wish you a very happy 80th birthday – and many more to come!
– Johnny Fean

ENDA GALLERY
It's a great source of pride knowing that the President of Ireland cares so deeply about the well-being and the flourishing of all of our people. Happy birthday brother!
– Enda Gallery

HAMSANDWICH
We’d like to wish President Higgins a happy birthday on this milestone occasion. 80 years young! He has been so generous to us over the last few years inviting us twice to perform at the Aras which we were honoured to be apart of. We hope he has the best day surrounded by Sabina and all the family.

– Niamh, Podge & Darcy - HamsandwicH

RACHEL MAE HANNON
Happy Birthday President Michael D. Higgins! Thank you for always highlighting the importance of arts and culture. Wishing you happiness and health in the future ☺️✨
– Rachel Mae Hannon

CIARAN LAVERY
In the words of Ernest Hemingway: “The thing is to become a master and in your old age to acquire the courage to do what children did when they knew nothing.” Here is to you, a master of compassion and understanding, many happy returns. Lá breithe sona duit, Uachtarán na hÉireann.
– Ciaran Lavery

TARA LEE
Thank you for cherishing and nurturing the arts, for leading by example and giving a voice to Irish creatives. Happy Birthday, Mr President!”
– Tara Lee

ELEANOR McEVOY
“What though youth gave love and roses, Age still leaves us friends and wine” (Thomas Moore) To a poet & President that has made us so proud –
Happy Birthday President Higgins! Lots of love.
– Eleanor McEvoy

CONOR O’BRIEN (Villagers)
Happy birthday Michael D! It has been a true source of comfort and pride this past decade to know that our little country is represented by a man who displays and promotes education, decency and charm with a masterful eloquence and an intellectual ferocity; qualities which are sorely needed in these times.

LIAM Ó MAONLAÍ
A Uachtaráin dhil
Móradh dhuit ar lá do bhreithe
Moladh ar do chuid oibre déannta agus le teacht
Go dtí an chéad tionól eile
Beir bua agus beannacht
– Ó Liam Ó Maonlaí

DECLAN O'ROURKE
Who since O’Connell has been a greater advocate of the rights of all peoples on behalf of our nation; who since Hyde has been a greater supporter of Irish arts and culture at home and abroad; and who, in my lifetime, has been more worthy of admiration, respect, and love amongst the Irish people than you, Uachtarán Michael D. Higgins?
You are an inspiration and an example to us all.
Lá Breithe Shona dhuit.
With love,
– Declan O’Rourke

ROSSA Ó SNODAIGH
Guíonn muid breithlá shona ort a Mhicheíl D. UÍ Uiginn is a Uactaráin na hÉireann. Táimid iontach sásta go bhfuil tú beo beathaíodh agus ag táimid ag ceiliúradh leat inniu.
–Rossa agus Kíla

JOHN SPILLANE
Beatha agus sláinte chughat a uachtaráin shéimh Éireann!
Go mairir, a fhir chneasta, a fhir an cheartais is an chirt,
Fear dána, flaith fíor flaithiúil, clogad na mbocht,
Breithlá shona!