The President turns 80 today!
Born in Limerick in 1941, Michael D. Higgins entered politics in the mid 1960s.
He was originally a member of Fianna Fail before switching to Labour.
Higgins was first elected president in 2011, and the father-of-three won a second term in 2018.
In an interview with the Sunday Independent, he says lockdown has been very hard and he's looking forward to meeting the public again.
Also adding that he's looking forward going to a soccer match, meeting his children and grandchild, and going to the sea.
The President lives in Áras an Uachtaráin with his wife Sabina and their beloved Bernese Mountain dogs Bród and Misneach.
Ahead of his 80th birthday, Michael D. appeared on The Late Late Show on Friday night.
On the show, he discussed his hopes for Ireland’s future.
The President was widely praised for his comments on social media with many taking to Twitter after the “moving” interview.
