Thank You, Mr President: Michael D. Higgins celebrated in star-studded special issue of Hot Press

As his 14 wonderful years at Áras an Uachtaráin come to an end, we're saluting Michael D. Higgins' phenomenal legacy as President of Ireland in a special new issue of Hot Press – available to pre-order now.

In his final in-depth interview as President, Higgins – who graces the cover of the issue – sits down with Stuart Clark to discuss the highlights of his two terms, his work as a poet, his time as a Hot Press columnist, and his plans for the future.

“When the Savita Halappanavar case happened,” the President recalls in a fascinating, wide-ranging interview, "I was in England and was asked, 'Should there not be a public inquiry?’And I said, 'I hope that the inquiry will have the consequence of making it safer and better for any Irish woman in the future'.

"There was a big hullabaloo about it back home – but when I campaigned in 2011 for the Presidency, I published literally a manifesto on what I was seeking to do in terms of inclusion and all of that. I did the exact same thing in 2018. No one could have been surprised at my views on feminism and basic human rights.”

Plus, in this unique edition, a selection of major figures pay tribute to Higgins – with contributions from Cillian Murphy, Bob Geldof, Niall Horan, Dermot Kennedy, Denise Chaila, Mary Coughlan, Gavin James, The Stunning, and Roz Purcell, among many more.

"Over the years, your words have resonated deeply with people of all generations,” singer and songwriter Niall Horan says, in a moving tribute, "and your commitment to equality, creativity and the arts has left a lasting legacy. Thank you for your service, your humanity, and for leading with such warmth.”

And there is much more in the same kind of vein.

“I hope this issue of Hot Press offers a fitting tribute to the President,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said. “He has given us fourteen fantastic years, during which he represented Irish people with extraordinary grace, dignity and intelligence, both at home and on the international stage.

"You can see from what our artists have to say in Hot Press just how much his presence in the Áras – with Sabina alongside him – has meant to musicians and to the creative community and how deeply people love the man. Now, as he moves on to the next stage of a life incredibly well lived, we are all really looking forward to seeing what’s next – and to hearing of your latest adventures. Go n-éirí and bóthar libh, Micheál agus Sabina."

President Michael D. Higgins on October 10th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Elsewhere in the issue:

Jeremy Allen White discusses his remarkable starring role in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, which is a rock ‘n’ roll fly on the wall, love story and buddy movie all rolled into one.

Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in 20th Century Studios' SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE. Photo by Macall Polay. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved

Ahead of their much awaited 3Arena date, London indie stars The Last Dinner Party talk to Flo Laurent about their new album From The Pyre, fond Dublin memories, and using Catholicism to write about sex.

As they return with the brilliant WE WERE JUST HERE, Dundalks's Just Mustard sit down with Lucy O'Toole to discuss support slots for The Cure, and drawing influence from dancefloors, funfair waltzers and folk music.

Just Mustard. Photo: Conor James

Taking a breather from his Chasing Myth Irish Tour, David Keenan drops into Hot Press HQ to talk about the influences and inspirations of his stellar new album Modern Mythologies.

Already an influential force in Irish rap for the guts of a decade, Zimbabwean-born, Shannon-raised rapper God Knows tells Riccardo Dwyer all about the heritage which shaped his long overdue debut album, A Future Of The Past.

God Knows. Credit: Daragh Soden

Niamh Algar’s inner badass comes out in The Iris Affair, a breakneck AI thriller from the pen of Luther creator Neil Ferris. The Mullingar native talks to Stuart Clark about code-breaking, bear traps and doing her own death-defying stunts.

Focusing on a pair of estranged brothers, Anemone sees Daniel Day-Lewis make his hugely awaited screen comeback in his son Ronan’s directorial debut. Paul Nolan looks at the film’s fascinating background – and also why the brilliant score from electronic maestro Bobby Krlic, aka The Haxan Cloak, has further made it one of the year’s most talked about films.

And that's just a taste of what you can expect in this riveting new issue – which lands in shops this weekend, and is available to pre-order online now: