'Galway will always be home' says President

By Dara Bradley

Galway will always be home, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins declared on Friday during his first official visit to the city since his inauguration last November.

Speaking at County Hall, where he was honoured with a civic reception, President Higgins said his first Galway homecoming in an official capacity was “particularly special” for him and his wife Sabina.

“A visit home to Galway always refreshes my mind and gladdens my heart. Galway and its people will always be in our hearts and, irrespective of where we may be, Galway will always be home,” said President Higgins.

President Higgins said it has been “a whirlwind experience” since he was inaugurated as the 9th President on November 11, but it is a journey he has “enjoyed immensely so far”.

“To be recognised by one’s peers is always a special accolade but to be recognised by your own people is truly a heart warming experience. Here in Galway, I certainly feel that I am among my own people; people who welcomed me to their city and county many decades ago and who welcomed me and my family into the heart of their community,” he said.

President Higgins said “Galway is consistently in the vanguard when it comes to the arts” and added the social and economic benefits of the arts are clear.

“The success of the Druid, Macnas, Taibhdearc na Gaillimhe and of course the annual Arts Festival have placed Galway at the forefront of this cultural nexus and droves of people from the four corners of the world have been enthralled with their experiences of outstanding cultural performances in Galway,” he said.

Earlier on Friday, President Higgins visited University Hospital Galway (UHG) and NUI Galway.

President Higgins also dropped into the HSE West’s Galway Training Centre at Merlin Park Hospital where he met with staff and trainees.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.