Michael D. Higgins: Ireland’s Ninth President draws on an unprecedented seven decades of RTÉ Archives and interviews with Michael D. Higgins, exploring his life and political career from the 1960s to present day.
The documentary charts, in Michael D.’s own words, how his childhood shaped the evolution of his socialist ideals and explores his early political losses. It examines key moments such as his opposition to the insertion of the 8th Amendment into the Constitution in 1983, and features passionate and lively exchanges from a range of television and radio programmes – all of which took place against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Ireland.
His work for Hot Press Magazine, his transformation of the arts in Ireland while a Minister in the 1990s, his family and his path to a two-term Presidency from 2011 onwards are explored by contributors including: Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson; Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach during President Higgins’ term in office; writer and film director Neil Jordan; Hollywood actor and activist Martin Sheen; Niall Stokes, editor of Hot Press Magazine; Professor Deirdre Heenan, member of the Council of State during the 2011-2018 presidency; and Eamon Gilmore, friend, confidant, and former leader of the Labour Party.
Michael D. Higgins: Ireland’s Ninth President will air on Wednesday 19 November on RTÉ One at 9.35pm, and will be available to stream on RTÉ Player.
