Maria Doyle Kennedy, Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Elaine Mai pay tribute to Michael D. Higgins

Maria Doyle Kennedy:

The sadness we feel as your term in office comes to its finish is a measure of your meaning to us. Representing with compassion and grace, an eloquent honour in the centre of your words… We will miss you deeply, but are so glad to have had you present on our behalf. Go raibh míle maith agat, meas ana-mhór.

Rónán Ó Snodaigh:

I’m so fond of Michael D., I love how principled he is. We’re really lucky to have somebody like him as Uachtarán na hÉireann, someone who has principles and who you can trust.

We’ve been in Michael D.’s presence so much – at gigs, at the Garden Parties – he actually loves you and you think, ‘Oh, he loves this country. He loves us. He wants us to be better and brighter and more beautiful.’

It’s like rolling a big fucking cannonball down a pinball that knocks the shit out of you. Michael D.’s poetry is good poetry, that will trip you up and make you feel human or a little bit vulnerable, or a bit proud. Yeah, he can swing a stick.

Elaine Mai:

He represented us and our nation in a very considerate, empathetic and warm way. He always seems to be able to bring through the Irish spirit, in terms of our openness and the art that’s in our culture. He was just an amazing representative for us. I also think he was very down-to-earth and accessible – I mean, we all remember the picture of him at the ATM. I think that’s very unique to our country and culture. He’s going to be missed.

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: