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Power To The People: The Hot Press Years
An essential read for anyone interested in Ireland as it was – and in the exciting new country that emerged in the 21st Century.
Michael D. Higgins is one of the most brilliant and influential voices in Irish culture and political life over the past 40 years. He was elected President of Ireland in 2011 and again, in 2018. During his ten years on the frontline with Hot Press, the future President wrote passionately about many of the most important issues affecting Ireland – and the world at large. It was visionary, sometimes emotional, often provocative, egalitarian stuff that pulled no punches.
This collection, featuring a carefully chosen selection of his powerful work for Hot Press, is packed with penetrating insights and wonderfully vivid writing – on women’s liberation, Gaza, US foreign policy, war and peace in Africa, the democratic deficit, sustainability and LGBTQI+ rights. Way ahead of its time in so many ways – and often very funny – it made radical and inspiring reading then. Even more so now, as it underlines the exhilarating reality that it really is possible to make positive changes, even in the most monolithic, conservative societies.
Michael D. Higgins is one of the most brilliant and influential voices in Irish culture and political life over the past 40 years. He was elected President of Ireland in 2011 and again, in 2018. During his ten years on the frontline with Hot Press, the future President wrote passionately about many of the most important issues affecting Ireland – and the world at large. It was visionary, sometimes emotional, often provocative, egalitarian stuff that pulled no punches.
This collection, featuring a carefully chosen selection of his powerful work for Hot Press, is packed with penetrating insights and wonderfully vivid writing – on women’s liberation, Gaza, US foreign policy, war and peace in Africa, the democratic deficit, sustainability and LGBTQI+ rights. Way ahead of its time in so many ways – and often very funny – it made radical and inspiring reading then. Even more so now, as it underlines the exhilarating reality that it really is possible to make positive changes, even in the most monolithic, conservative societies.
Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2024
About the author
Michael D. Higgins
28 books21 followersMichael D. Higgins
On 11 November 2011, Michael D. Higgins was inaugurated as the ninth President of Ireland.
A passionate political voice, a poet and writer, academic and statesman, human rights advocate, promoter of inclusive citizenship and champion of creativity within Irish society, Michael D. Higgins has previously served at almost every level of public life in Ireland, including as Ireland’s first Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
Michael D. Higgins was born on 18 April 1941 in Limerick city and was raised in County Clare. He was a factory worker and a clerk before becoming the first in his family to access higher education. He studied at the University College Galway, the University of Manchester, and the University of Indiana.
Michael D. Higgins is married to Sabina Higgins, and they have four children. Sabina Higgins attended the Stanislavsky Studio of acting in Dublin and was a founding member of the Focus Theatre.
As a lecturer in political science and sociology in National University of Ireland, Galway, and in the United States, Michael D. Higgins was a passionate proponent for the extension of access to third level education beyond the walls of established Universities. He was centrally involved in the development of extra-mural studies at National University of Ireland, Galway, and he travelled extensively across the West of Ireland to provide accessible evening classes for interested citizens.
A desire to work more directly for equality and justice led Michael D. Higgins to enter public life and he went on to serve as a public representative at many levels from Councillor and Mayor to 9 years in the Seanad and 25 in Dáil Éireann.
As Ireland’s first Minister for the Arts in 1993-97, Michael D. Higgins’s achievements include the reinvigoration of the Irish film industry, the establishment of Teilifís na Gaeilge, now TG4, and the repeal of censorship under Section 31 of the Broadcasting Acts. He also established a rich network of local arts and cultural venues which brought a crucial access to citizens across Ireland to these facilities. Moreover, he drove the revitalisation of Ireland’s canal network, resulting in over 1,000 kilometres of navigable waterways, supporting thousands of jobs, and creating wealth in many rural and economically-deprived areas of the State.
Michael D. Higgins has, like many in Ireland, seen generations of his family emigrate. He has a strong interest and solidarity with the Irish abroad and has been a regular visitor to Irish Centres in Britain.
Throughout his life, Michael D. Higgins has campaigned for human rights and for the promotion of peace and democracy in Ireland and in many other parts of the world, from Nicaragua and Chile to Cambodia, Iraq and Somalia. In 1992, Michael D. Higgins was the first recipient of the Seán MacBride Peace Prize from the International Peace Bureau in Helsinki, in recognition of his work for peace and justice in many parts of the world.
Michael D. Higgins is also a writer and poet, contributing to many books covering diverse aspects of Irish politics, sociology, history and and culture. He has published two collections of essays — ‘Causes for Concern — Irish Politics, Culture and Society’ and ‘Renewing the Republic’. He has also published four collections of poetry — ’The Betrayal; The Season of Fire; An Arid Season’ and ‘New and Selected Poems’.
Among the other appointments Michael D. Higgins has held are:
Member of Dáil Éireann for 25 years;
Member of Seanad Éireann (the Irish Senate) for 9 years;
Ireland’s first Cabinet Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht 1993-97;
As Minister, he had direct responsibility for the promotion of the Irish language and for the economic and social development of Irish-speaking areas in the State;
Labour Party Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs in the Irish Parliament and founder member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs;
Lord Mayor of Galway on
On 11 November 2011, Michael D. Higgins was inaugurated as the ninth President of Ireland.
A passionate political voice, a poet and writer, academic and statesman, human rights advocate, promoter of inclusive citizenship and champion of creativity within Irish society, Michael D. Higgins has previously served at almost every level of public life in Ireland, including as Ireland’s first Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
Michael D. Higgins was born on 18 April 1941 in Limerick city and was raised in County Clare. He was a factory worker and a clerk before becoming the first in his family to access higher education. He studied at the University College Galway, the University of Manchester, and the University of Indiana.
Michael D. Higgins is married to Sabina Higgins, and they have four children. Sabina Higgins attended the Stanislavsky Studio of acting in Dublin and was a founding member of the Focus Theatre.
As a lecturer in political science and sociology in National University of Ireland, Galway, and in the United States, Michael D. Higgins was a passionate proponent for the extension of access to third level education beyond the walls of established Universities. He was centrally involved in the development of extra-mural studies at National University of Ireland, Galway, and he travelled extensively across the West of Ireland to provide accessible evening classes for interested citizens.
A desire to work more directly for equality and justice led Michael D. Higgins to enter public life and he went on to serve as a public representative at many levels from Councillor and Mayor to 9 years in the Seanad and 25 in Dáil Éireann.
As Ireland’s first Minister for the Arts in 1993-97, Michael D. Higgins’s achievements include the reinvigoration of the Irish film industry, the establishment of Teilifís na Gaeilge, now TG4, and the repeal of censorship under Section 31 of the Broadcasting Acts. He also established a rich network of local arts and cultural venues which brought a crucial access to citizens across Ireland to these facilities. Moreover, he drove the revitalisation of Ireland’s canal network, resulting in over 1,000 kilometres of navigable waterways, supporting thousands of jobs, and creating wealth in many rural and economically-deprived areas of the State.
Michael D. Higgins has, like many in Ireland, seen generations of his family emigrate. He has a strong interest and solidarity with the Irish abroad and has been a regular visitor to Irish Centres in Britain.
Throughout his life, Michael D. Higgins has campaigned for human rights and for the promotion of peace and democracy in Ireland and in many other parts of the world, from Nicaragua and Chile to Cambodia, Iraq and Somalia. In 1992, Michael D. Higgins was the first recipient of the Seán MacBride Peace Prize from the International Peace Bureau in Helsinki, in recognition of his work for peace and justice in many parts of the world.
Michael D. Higgins is also a writer and poet, contributing to many books covering diverse aspects of Irish politics, sociology, history and and culture. He has published two collections of essays — ‘Causes for Concern — Irish Politics, Culture and Society’ and ‘Renewing the Republic’. He has also published four collections of poetry — ’The Betrayal; The Season of Fire; An Arid Season’ and ‘New and Selected Poems’.
Among the other appointments Michael D. Higgins has held are:
Member of Dáil Éireann for 25 years;
Member of Seanad Éireann (the Irish Senate) for 9 years;
Ireland’s first Cabinet Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht 1993-97;
As Minister, he had direct responsibility for the promotion of the Irish language and for the economic and social development of Irish-speaking areas in the State;
Labour Party Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs in the Irish Parliament and founder member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs;
Lord Mayor of Galway on
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 17, 2025
This book strengthened my belief that Ireland chose the best person to represent us as our president for the last nearly 14 years. Higgins discusses a history of politics, geopolitics, socio-economics and human rights from a left wing perspective during an era where conservatism was the norm and any questioning of this was demonized. This was a true look into the psyche and emotions of a person who held firm to their beliefs and worked as hard as they could in the pursuit of a better world.
Also, Higgins's predictions regarding today's housing crisis and the potential results of the privatisation of state held assets have proven true in the period since the days of his Hot Press column.
Also, Higgins's predictions regarding today's housing crisis and the potential results of the privatisation of state held assets have proven true in the period since the days of his Hot Press column.
April 5, 2025
A collection of excellent articles written in the 80s and early 90s that are as relevant today as they were then, addressing topics such as privatisation and neoliberalism, social justice, climate change, warmongering, the tethering of the Irish economy to America, among other things.
Each piece is delivered with sharp wit, cutting criticism, unapologetic empathy, and inspiring prose, while being prefaced into context with helpful and poignant summaries, often looking back and hinting at the prescience of the article's thrust, with the benefit of 30 years of hindsight. Highly recommended.
Each piece is delivered with sharp wit, cutting criticism, unapologetic empathy, and inspiring prose, while being prefaced into context with helpful and poignant summaries, often looking back and hinting at the prescience of the article's thrust, with the benefit of 30 years of hindsight. Highly recommended.
February 3, 2025
Very insightful and informative. A truly inspiring man with a brilliant grasp of language and how to wield it. The book allowed me a reevaluation of a letter period of my own life.
November 25, 2025
Maybe the most interesting and wonderful person in the world. Incredible how pertinent his writing still reads, even decades later.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews