June President Michael D. Higgins donates Presidential Archive and Books to University of Galway

Celebratory event marks donation and renaming of historic Aula Maxima in honour of President

University of Galway has today announced the donation of the Presidential Archive of President Michael D. Higgins, as well as books from his personal collection.

The documents in the archive, which include personal papers, writings and correspondence, will be held in the Archives and Special Collections of the University Library.

The donation was formally announced at a special celebratory event at University of Galway, where President Higgins was accompanied by his wife Sabina as he was welcomed back to his alma mater, where he studied and taught before entering politics.

The event was held at the Aula Maxima in University of Galway’s iconic Quadrangle, which was renamed The Michael D. Higgins Auditorium as part of the celebrations.

A portrait of President Higgins, by artist Colin Davidson, which has been acquired by the University for its public art collection, was also unveiled.

The celebration was hosted by Chair of the Governing Authority of University of Galway, Dr Máire Geoghegan-Quinn and Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway.

            President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, said: “I am very pleased to formally announce the collaboration with the University of Galway of my archive of writings and documents from my Presidential terms, for their custodianship.

“The University of Galway Library Archives and Special Collections can now provide a secure home for these files and make them accessible to future generations of researchers who are interested in the political, social and cultural life of our country over this period, the files of my Presidency that perhaps explain my thinking, motivation, and frustration too – the personal data that has helped inform my speeches, statements and other written materials over the past 14 years of my life mar Uachtarán na hÉireann.

“As well as my archive files, as an avid reader with a significant collection of books, I am delighted to be in the process of contributing a proportion of my collection to the University, a collection that includes titles that I acquired for my own personal research, including some heavily annotated volumes that informed my thinking during my time as a lecturer at the University through to my Presidency. The collection also includes many books presented to me from a wide range of sources while undertaking local, national and international engagements, with some of these marking historic events attended by myself in an official capacity.

“For me it is important that the Aula Maxima in the Quadrangle – the iconic auditorium which I am truly honoured is now to be associated with me as the ‘Michael D. Higgins Auditorium’ – always be open and accessible to the public, to those who live in Galway, to visitors, to the university staff and students, and to visitors and tourists. Therefore, it is a source of pleasure to hear that it is a space that will be utilised not just for university related occasions, but that it will also be used for other public occasions such as, for example, the Galway Arts Festival.”

Interim President of University of Galway, Professor Peter McHugh, said: “It is an honour and privilege to be in my role on the day when University of Galway announces the donation of President Higgins’ Presidential Archive. Our University holds a special place in our hearts and minds for President Higgins. The donation affords us an opportunity to reflect, but also to look ahead. As we become the custodian of such a treasured collection of papers, we hold a unique gift - the chance to inspire the minds of students and researchers.”

Monica Crump, University of Galway Librarian, said: “President Higgins is a true scholar with a passion for books and the importance of reading.  His archive and books enable us to witness his scholarship in action, with well-thumbed and annotated books linking directly to his work as President and the topics in his speeches. It is an absolute privilege that he has chosen to donate his Presidential archive and a selection from his book collection to the University of Galway Library and we are proud to be the custodians of his legacy, which will inspire future generations of students and scholars”.

Catriona Cannon, Head of Heritage Collections and Digitisation at University of Galway Library, said: “President Michael D Higgins has been an active, vibrant presence in the social, cultural and political life of Galway since his years as a student at the University of Galway. His impact on University life and on the city is evident across our existing holdings and it is our privilege to now add his personal papers from his time as President of Ireland. We look forward to engaging our staff and students with his inspiring legacy for years to come.”

Ahead of the celebratory event, two panels were installed inside the newly named ‘The Michael D. Higgins Auditorium’, one of which is biographical and was composed with the support of Dr John Cunningham, retired lecturer in History at University of Galway. The second features a photograph of President Higgins as an activist with text from his poem ‘Of Saturdays Made Holy‘ dedicated to Mary McPartlan, a former staff member of the University and good friend of President Higgins.

About the archive - The Michael D. Higgins Collection

Spanning two full presidential terms, President Higgins’ archive offers an extraordinary window into the life and work of Ireland’s ninth President with a rich array of material representing personal papers from his time in office. It includes meticulously edited speech drafts bearing his handwritten annotations and his personal correspondence with a wide and diverse network of individuals.

The collection runs to more than 150 archival boxes and is to be catalogued by Archivist Kieran Hoare.

The official records of President Higgins’s terms of office will remain with the State and be transferred to the National Archives.

The Michael D. Higgins Collection at University of Galway sits alongside two other notable Presidential archives preserved by the University Library: the papers of former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, as well as a number of collections relating to Douglas Hyde, the first President of Ireland.

It also adds to existing collections held at the Library, in which President Higgins features frequently, highlighting his enduring relationship with the University, his passionate advocacy for the arts, his influential role in national commemorations during the Decade of Centenaries, and his steadfast dedication to human rights and equality.

These archives form a compelling narrative of leadership, intellectual rigour, cultural stewardship and visionary public service.

As well as his archive collection, President Higgins is in the process of transferring a selection of book collection to the University.

Special Collections Librarian, Marie Boran, notes that this includes books presented to him during his Presidency, as well as many titles acquired by the President for his own personal research, including heavily annotated volumes which informed his thinking during his time as a lecturer at the University through to his Presidency.

Once catalogued, both the archive and books will be accessible for research by members of the public in the Library’s Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.

Michael D. Higgins’ Presidential Archive at the University of Galway follows on from papers which the President has already donated from his time in public life to the Irish Labour History Society in Dublin’s Beggars Bush and to the National Library of Ireland, relating to his work in the Labour Party and the Houses of the Oireachtas respectively.

It is the President’s wish, shared by all of the institutions, that scholars will have easy access to all three archives and that there will be an open and collaborative approach between all three organisations.

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