Muireann Bradley and Niall McNamee pay tribute to Michael D. Higgins

Muireann Bradley:

When I was growing up, if I walked into the living room and the news was on TV, or a politician was talking or anyone in a suit was on the screen, I turned on my heel and walked back out the door.

President Higgins was different though. I remember seeing him on TV when I was very small, before he was president, and I would stop and listen to what he was saying. There was something about the sincerity of how he expressed himself that was very unusual. Once he became president, I realised all my friends at school felt the same. Everyone loved Michael D – there was genuine affection for him even in primary school.

I think it will be a long time before we have someone in such a prominent position in public life in Ireland again who evokes such feelings. As I grew older and began to play music, I realised how lucky we were in Ireland to have such a champion for the arts.

I was fortunate enough to meet President Higgins when I was invited to perform at one of the garden parties thrown by himself and his wife, Sabina, at the Áras in June last year. It was a very special day for me and my family, and I will not forget hearing the president’s speech that day. So obviously I was delighted to be asked again to perform at ‘Against All Certainty’, a celebration of the President, to mark the launch of his first spoken word album back in September.

It was a magical night with President Higgins’ poetry taking centre stage, and there were heartfelt performances from a who’s who of Irish music, entertainment and literature. I was in awe. I wish President Higgins the very best when his second term ends, and as I’ve heard him say himself, I know he’ll not be stuck for something to do.

Niall McNamee:

I love Michael D. I got to meet him last year and it was an incredible moment. I sang him one of my songs about my granddad. He’s just a hero, isn’t he? I don’t know any politician who’s more well-liked, who has more reason to be well-liked. He’s a great example of someone who’s consistently been on the right side of history, and he’s done so much for our country.

I don’t know if many countries could say when they see their own president, on a football ground or on the world stage, that they’re proud to put him in front of their country. He represents us in a way that I think is truthful. He is someone who, at his soul, is the best encapsulation of the Irish people as a whole. He understands us.

The only negative I can say about him is that for whoever comes next, he’s going to be really hard to beat. Because what a tenure, what a man. He’s a gentleman. I really felt cared for, and I felt like he was interested when he chatted and, of course, that’s his charm. But more than anything, he’s been on the right side of history for his whole life. I hope he can sit back now and be proud for a second. I don’t think he will be, though, he’s not egotistical enough. I think he’ll just think he did the job that he was supposed to do, and that’s true as well.

To him, I’d say the All-Ireland, the rugby, the football and the country won’t be the same without you. Thank you.

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: