President Michael D. Higgins donated his Presidential Archive and books from his personal collection to the University during a visit to his old alma mater on the second day of his Galway trip today.
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 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 added that files of his presidency in the archives could “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.”
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.
“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.”
President Higgins said that this collection includes titles that he acquired for his 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.”
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”.
