Imelda May on Michael D. Higgins: "He’s just been a phenomenal leader, and he leads with love"

Imelda May:

I just want to thank him from the bottom of my heart for giving so much of himself and for bringing such heart into politics, which is so often missing. He brought his intellect and his passion, and he brought Irish, music and poetry. He really did so much for the arts. And that, I think, is one of our huge attributes as a country – our dedication to the arts.

Our artists are known throughout the world. Some of the biggest literary geniuses ever have come from our country and he was well aware of that. I really appreciate his dedication and support of the arts, because it means so much to creatives. But it also benefits the whole country when our arts are held high, as they should be.

He’s just been a phenomenal leader, and he leads with love. You can’t ask for any more of a person. I would like to mention Sabina too, who’s really dedicated herself as well. Not just through her support of him, but all of the speeches I’ve seen her make, all of the talks – she’s done so much.

I can’t thank the two of them enough for, one, leading us in such a beautiful way, and two, representing us in such a heartfelt way, with love and beauty, to show who we are to the rest of the world.

President Michael D Higgins and Imelda May at Nothing Compares at The Moat Theatre, Naas to celebrate Brigid 1500 with Hot Press and Kildare County Council. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Read our in-depth cover story interview with Michael D. Higgins – and tributes from Cillian Murphy, Bob Geldof, Niall Horan, Dermot Kennedy, Denise Chaila and more – in the current issue of Hot Press, out now: