President Michael D Higgins will on Tuesday evening be awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, the University of Manchester, for his contributions to literature and public life.
The President’s visit coincides with the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the university, where he studied from 1968 to 1971. It also marks the tenth anniversary of his State visit to the United Kingdom.
Mr Higgins will deliver the inaugural lecture in a new series of lectures which will run at the university over the next five years. The John Kennedy Lecture Series, will be part of the programme of the University of Manchester’s School of Arts, Languages and Cultures.
His lecture is entitled ‘Of the consciousness our times need in responding to interacting crises and the role of Universities as spaces of discourse in facilitating it’.
Eoghan Daltun: Overgrazing eats up the last of Ireland’s ancient rainforest
Strike: The Ink Black Heart review: JK Rowling’s unlikely cult hit is a gift that keeps on giving
Owen Doyle: Mack Hansen’s ill-advised comments simply cannot be allowed pass without sanction
Róisín Ingle: My profound, challenging, surprisingly joyful, life-changing year
Mr Higgins will be conferred with the degree of Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa by the chancellor of the University of Manchester, Nazir Afzal, “in recognition of his extensive and significant contributions to literature and public life”. The citation will be read by Professor of Poetry John McAuliffe.
The president will also meet a number of contacts in institutions in Manchester, as well as members of the well-established Irish community in the city.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
