President Michael D.Higgins has issued his annual Christmas address, reflecting on the "season of peace" as he remembered his visit to the United Kingdom in April this year.
He called it a “great honour” to be the first Irish Head of State to pay an official State Visit to the UK, whom he called “our dearest neighbour in every sense”.
He said it was a great privilege to “manifest the friendship between our two peoples, who no longer `look at eachother with doubtful eyes’, but, rather, with the trustful eyes of mutual respect”.
He appealed to those among us who may be feeling “distressed or lonely” to look beyond the dark nights and onto the “dawning light of Spring”.
He also reflected on what he saw on his trip to Africa in November, noting their "impressive solidarity...in responding to the predicament of so many men, women and children" from neighbouring countries who were forced to leave their homes in search of refuge.
He took time to thank the carers in our society who will be looking after communities during the Christmas season.
In particular, he thanked "the staff in our hospitals and emergency services, An Garda Síochána, and members of our Defence Forces who are supporting peace abroad".
He finished by wishing us all a happy Christmas and “a bounty of opportunities for flourishing and renewal” in 2015.
