AWARD RECIPIENT
Michael D. Higgins
Later this year, the keys of Áras an Uachtaráin will change hands, and Michael D. Higgins will end his tenure as President after 14 years. In recognition of his service, he received a Lifetime Achievement award at The GALAS. A politician, poet, broadcaster and sociologist, Higgins has long used his influence to work towards an Ireland where all can live authentically and freely and have their voices heard and valued. He has regularly spoken out against global injustices and intolerances, and celebrated and raised up marginalised communities.
In his message for Pride 2025, Higgins wrote, “As I reflect on my terms as President of Ireland, I have been continually inspired by the creativity, resilience, and generosity of spirit shown by Ireland’s LGBT+ community. In so many aspects of Irish life, including the arts, activism, education, community-building and public life, your rich and varied contributions have helped to enrich our society immeasurably, widening the circle of belonging for us all.”
He concluded the statement by expressing his renewed hope “to craft a future together that is peaceful, just and inclusive – a future defined by equality and participation of all citizens across the world in all their wonderful diversity.”
AWARD RECIPIENT
Siobhán O’Dowd
Another Lifetime Achievement accolade was awarded posthumously to Siobhán O’Dowd who passed away on May 17, 2025. A pioneering force in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, social justice and community development, Siobhán dedicated more than 30 years to activism, particularly in Cork’s equality movement. She was a founding member of several key organisations, including LINC (now LINQ Ireland), the Cork AIDS Alliance (now the Sexual Health Centre) and the Cork LGBTI+ Interagency Group. Among many other achievements, she was also instrumental in raising the first rainbow flag on a public building in Ireland.
Siobhán’s wife Tina accepted the award on her behalf, saying, “I know she would have been very touched to receive this. I know, too, that she would see it very clearly as an acknowledgement of the community and voluntary work several generations of Irish lesbians and queer women contributed to Irish society over the past century or more, particularly during the AIDS crisis but more recently during the Covid lockdown.”
Tina also gave a special mention to their friend Sarah Clancy who was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to break Israel’s siege on Gaza and deliver aid to Palestinians. “Siobhán firmly believed that ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine, and she would certainly say, Free, Free Palestine.”
By Alice Linehan