Wexford musician delivers poignant musical tribute to President Michael D Higgins

Acclaimed musician and composer Colm Mac Con Iomaire, based near Gorey, County Wexford, delivered a poignant musical tribute to President Higgins at the recent Irish Development Education Association (IDEA)’s annual conference in Malahide…

His performance was a central element of the ceremony honouring President Michael D. Higgins with the inaugural ‘Global Voice for Humanity’ Award.

A founding member of both Kíla and The Frames, Mac Con Iomaire has spent over two decades touring globally, blending traditional Irish music with contemporary influences. His solo work, including albums like The Hare’s Corner (2008), And Now the Weather (2015), and The River Holds Its Breath (2019), has garnered critical acclaim for its emotive depth and cultural resonance.

Reflecting on his participation, Mac Con Iomaire stated:

“Ba mhór an phléisiúr dom a bheith páirteach i gceiliúradh bhronnadh an ghradaim ar ár nUachtarán uasal Mícheál D Ó hUigín. It was my great pleasure to be a part of the ceremony which honoured our great President Michael D Higgins on Wednesday. He has for many decades been a consistent advocate for the poor and oppressed people of the world. We have been lucky to have him as our President,” he told Wexford Weekly.

Mac Con Iomaire performed two original compositions: “The Minbar of Saladin,” written in Jerusalem, and “The Road to Jericho.” Both pieces were inspired by his 2019 experiences in Palestine and Israel and are part of a larger musical project influenced by Colum McCann’s novel Apeirogon, which tells the story of two bereaved fathers, Rami Elhanan and Bassam Aramin, who together founded the organisation Parents Circle.

President Higgins also highlighted the crucial role of artists in driving social change, noting their consistent presence at the forefront of transformative movements. He praised the presence of musician and composer Colm Mac Con Iomaire at the event as a symbol of this essential contribution.

“I’m so delighted that Colm Mac Con Iomaire is here, because that says something. What a great example he is of the combination of technology and music… But also, more importantly, at the front of all of the campaigns I’ve been involved in, they’re always the artists, often the people with the most precarious income,” he said.

The IDEA conference was attended by nearly 200 educators, community leaders, and advocates, including teachers from Wexford and surrounding regions, all dedicated to advancing global citizenship values in their communities.

IDEA CEO Ruairí McKiernan, who led the award presentation, praised President Higgins’ legacy:

“President Higgins has long been a rare kind of leader—someone who combines intellectual courage with deep humanity. He has spent a lifetime standing up for the marginalised and challenging us all to think critically and act with compassion. Through his leadership and example, he has inspired so many people in Ireland and beyond to believe in the power of education and the importance of active citizenship.”

IDEA represents over 100 organisations across Ireland working in Global Citizenship Education—an approach that empowers people to think critically, challenge injustice, and build a more just and sustainable world.

Event Highlights

The conference also featured contributions from Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Global Citizenship Education through Irish Aid. Other highlights included tributes from Caoimhe de Barra (CEO of Trócaire), reflections from schoolchildren involved in Concern Worldwide’s global education programme, and a poetry reading by Sarah Clancy.

Ireland is regarded as a European leader in Global Citizenship Education, with initiatives supported by Irish Aid and the Department of Foreign Affairs reaching over 300,000 people annually.

In his passionate address at the conference, President Higgins warned:

“Without a radical shift in thinking, the world risks continuing harmful systems of inequality and discrimination. Otherwise, the quiet racism embedded in current models of development will persist and spread,” he said.

He highlighted the critical role of education in empowering change and holding those in authority accountable. He also stressed the need to stand in solidarity with the marginalised and to prioritise the empowerment of local communities as fundamental steps in creating a fairer, more equitable world. Reflecting on his long life, he posed a deeply personal challenge to the audience:

“Looking at this stage of my long life, I have to say that the most important moral question in the end is, how was your energy in its different stages delivered?”

Closing his remarks, President Higgins left the audience with a powerful call to action:

“There is no doubt whatsoever that it is possible to achieve the transformation that will bring into reality all of the things that you all have been working so hard for.”

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