Well-wishes are being paid to President Michael D Higgins, as he turns 75 today.
Presbyterian Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. Ian McNie, has congratulated Mr Higgins.
He has offered the president the greetings of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland "and our warmest congratulations".
Mr Higgins will be continuing his duties as normal today, delivering the Irish Association for Contemporary European Studies annual lecture.
Mr Higgins at Slane Castle in 1984 | Image © 2016 President of Ireland
He will be attending the Royal Irish Academy on Dublin's Dawson Street this afternoon.
Born on April 18th 1941 in Limerick city, Mr Higgins was raised in Co Clare.
He was a factory worker and a clerk - before becoming the first in his family to access higher education.
Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina on their wedding day | Image © 2016 President of Ireland
He studied at the University College Galway, the University of Manchester and Indiana University.
On November 11th 2011, he was inaugurated as the ninth President of Ireland.
He also served as Ireland’s first Minister for the Arts in 1993-97.
Áras an Uachtaráin says President Higgins celebrated his birthday with his wife Sabina and their family at the Áras yesterday.
Among the other appointments he has held are:
- Member of Dáil Éireann for 25 years
- Member of Seanad Éireann for nine years
- Labour Party spokesperson for Foreign Affairs
- Founder member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Lord Mayor of Galway on two occasions
Watch Mr Higgins life and career through the years:
