Former President Michael D. Higgins will be honoured with the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025.
The ceremony takes place on 27 November at the Convention Centre Dublin, with the award marking a significant recognition of Higgins' enduring contribution to Irish cultural life.
Michael D. Higgins, who served as President of Ireland from 2011 to 2025, is an accomplished writer and cultural advocate. His literary output includes five poetry collections, most recently Against All Certainty (2025), published alongside a spoken word album in collaboration with musician Myles O’Reilly.
Other notable works include New and Selected Poems (2011), An Arid Season (2004), and The Season of Fire (1993). He has also authored essay collections such as Causes for Concern – Irish Politics, Culture and Society (2006) and Reclaiming the European Street (2021).
Beyond his writing, Higgins has played a significant role in shaping Ireland’s cultural landscape. As Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, he spearheaded initiatives such as the reestablishment of the Irish Film Board and the founding of Teilifís na Gaeilge (now TG4).
The Board of the Irish Book Awards praised Higgins for his "profound and lasting influence on Irish art and culture," noting his advocacy for writers and artists and his commitment to human rights and social justice.
Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the Awards, said: "Michael D. Higgins has consistently demonstrated the power of culture to connect, challenge, and inspire society."
Higgins joins an illustrious list of previous recipients, including Seamus Heaney, Maeve Binchy, Anne Enright, Colm Tóibín, and Edna O’Brien.
The An Post Irish Book Awards, now in its 20th year, celebrates the best of Irish writing across multiple categories, with winners to be announced on 27 November.
A one-hour television special hosted by Oliver Callan will air on RTÉ One on 11th December, featuring highlights from the event.
Find out more about the Irish Book Awards 2026 here
