MICHAEL D. HIGGINS has served the nation as the 9th President of Ireland since November 2011.

During the past 6 years, Higgins has become a beloved cultural icon and today announced that he will seek another term as President.

Here’s 7 reasons why he has captured the nation’s croí and why we NEED to see another 7 years of a Michael D. Higgins Presidency.

1. His sense of humour

During the Presidential campaign, this iconic photograph was taken at Sea Sessions.

A freelance photograph suggested that Michael D. hop on a BMX bike and strike a pose by the BMXing and skateboarding area. Michael D. willingly obliged, because of course he did! And the rest is history.

The internet loved it, and the photo was reshared heavily online after Donald Trump’s election, to show what a ‘real President’ should look like.

2. His epic takedowns

In 2010, a year before becoming President, Michael D. took part in a Newstalk interview hosted by George Hook. Also on the show was a rightwing Tea Party organizer and Boston conservative radio host, Michael Graham.

The clip went viral in 2012 for  Michael D.’s epic 4 minute long takedown of Graham’s politics. It also brought us one of the greatest insults of all time when he urged Graham to be “proud to be a decent American rather just a wanker whipping up fear”.

3. He’s a festival Icon

Before there was flower crowns, eyelash extensions, and tassel earrings, there was the original Irish festival hun – Michael D.

This spectacular picture of him was taken during Bob Dylan at Slane Castle in 1984.

Before you go judging his style, remember that wearing a shirt open to expose a rake of chest was the height of fashion back then. There are loads of images of Bruce Springsteen, during his Born In the USA era, rocking a very similar look.

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4. He has a framed photograph of himself with Michael Sheen in Áras an Uachtaráin

This was taken during an interview with the Six One News. It’s lovely to see that Michael D. is humble enough to get starstruck by other celebrities. The look of pure delight and joy on his face!

5. His acknowledgement of the real reason that Liam Neeson got an IFTA for his contribution to film (and pop culture)

And are you even Irish if you don’t slag someone at the same time as praising them?

Michael D. did exactly that at the IFTAs when he presented Liam Neeson with Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award.

In the course of giving a sincere and heartwarming speech (a true specialty of Higgins) about Neeson’s career as an Irish actor for the whole island of Ireland, Higgins dropped in a line from Neeson’s best known speech…

6. The Presidency hasn’t changed him

Michael D. was spotted queuing for a cash machine like any regular Joe Soap by one astute twitter user. Even Presidents need cash dolla dolla bills too!

Even though he must have a dozen aides who could do his bidding, it’s humbling to see that despite being Ireland’s ‘Chief Representative’, it hasn’t gone to his head and Michael D. has remained as unpretentious as ever.

7. And finally, so we can continue to use our Presidential tea cosy

Ireland went mad for this tea cosy after it was spotted on Googlebox.

Not Just Hats Not Just Hats

Long reign Michael Tea Higgins!

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