President Higgins has said Ireland's economic conditions does not solely define the Irish people.

Ireland is defined by its people and not its economic hardship, President Michael D Higgins has said.

In his Christmas message the President said it was the diverse and hardworking communities striving to help themselves that really made Ireland.

President Higgins: “As our economy has contracted in recent times, many people are feeling the consequences, in terms of employment or income. However, our economic condition does not, on its own, define who we are.

“We are, for example, a country with a network of communities, that are increasingly active in responding to their own, and their society’s, difficulties.

“We also have the resource of our scattered people around the world, who support each other, and who value their connection with their homeland.”

The President also recognised the difficulties being faced by some families because of rising unemployment, emigration and family bereavement.

He added: “Christmas provides an opportunity for us all to pause, reflect, and celebrate the things that we rightly cherish. It is a time when we, as citizens, as families, and as communities turn our minds to what is really important – family, friendship, neighbourliness and homecoming.

“At this time especially, those of us who are fortunate enough to have a joyous Christmas should be mindful of the need to reach out to others who – due to loss, emigration, illness or financial circumstances are going through a difficult time.”

Special recognition was given to the emergency crews, Gardaí, prison officers, Defence forces and medical staff who would be provided essential services over the Christmas period.

President Higgins said: “I thank all these public service personnel for their dedicated service to our community.

“There is much to be proud of, and much to build on, as we prepare for the New Year and look forward with hope and courage to realising all the possibilities that it presents.

“May I wish all the Irish at home and abroad, and those who live and work with them, a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a New Year full of promise, health and fulfilment.”

President Michael D Higgins has led Ireland's tributes to Barack Obama.

Irish President Michael D Higgins has told his newly re-elected US counterpart Barack Obama he hopes bilateral relations between the countries will prosper during his second term in office.

In a letter of congratulations to the US president, Mr Higgins assured Mr Obama he has the continued goodwill and best wishes of the people of Ireland.

Mr Obama, who visited Dublin and his ancestral home in Moneygall last year, defeated Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

“The international community faces many daunting challenges and we look forward to your continued leadership and constructive engagement in the period ahead,” wrote Mr Higgins, a human rights campaigner.

“The very close and warm relationship between Ireland and the United States has, with your help and encouragement, prospered during your tenure.

“I am confident that, under your leadership, our bilateral relations will be further advanced during the next four years.

“My wife Sabina and I send our warmest personal wishes to you and your family as you begin your second term.”

Obama secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race, with Romney conceding defeat in a short speech in Boston.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said Mr Obama was a good friend of Ireland.

Obama’s distant, distant Irish relatives were also celebrating.

Moneygall native Henry Healy said he was delighted for his eighth cousin, whom he also visited at the White House for St Patrick’s Day.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny added his congratulations.

“Our countries enjoy an especially warm and friendly relationship. This has been strongly reflected during President Obama’s first term of office, never more so than during his wonderful visit to Ireland last year,” Mr Kenny said.

The Taoiseach sent a letter to President Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden on behalf of the Irish people.

“I am confident that the relationship between our two countries will continue to flourish during his coming term of office, as our administrations continue to work together across a range of policy areas in our respective efforts to boost our economies, increase trade and investment, and create new and sustainable jobs,” he said.

The Taoiseach said he looked forward to working closely with the US president when Ireland takes over the presidency of the European Union on January 1.

“I have already made clear that I see Ireland’s EU presidency as an opportunity to seek to strengthen the ties between Europe and the United States, including in the area of international trade,” Mr Kenny said.

“Once again, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Barack Obama, to his wife Michelle, and to their two daughters.”

Michael McKillop receives the Whang Youn Dai Award at the Paralympics' closing ceremony. (Pic: David Davies/PA)

Irish President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to Team Ireland on their outstanding performance at the London Paralympic Games.

The team will touch down in Dublin to a heroes’ welcome tomorrow morning (Australian eastern time) with a haul of eight gold, three silver and five bronze medals.

President Higgins said the country’s paralympian athletes are inspirational role models for all.

“Their courage, commitment and sporting prowess will live long in the hearts and minds of the Irish people,” he said.

“I look forward to meeting them in Aras an Uachtarain in the near future and to congratulating them in person.”

Elsewhere, Irish runner Michael McKillop has been chosen as the athlete who exemplified the best spirit of the Paralympic Games, alongside Kenya’s Mary Nakhumicha Zakayo.

The Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award winners received a gold medal at the London 2012 closing ceremony overnight.

Thirty-nine participating countries nominated 58 athletes for the award.

The International Paralympic Committee said McKillop, who lit up the Olympic Stadium in London with gold-medal winning races in the 800m and 1,500m T37 events, was chosen for dedicating his time to helping and encouraging thousands of schoolchildren throughout Ireland.

The runner, from Glengormley, Northern Ireland, said he believes all Paralympians should help promote their own sports and serve as role models for the next generation.

President Higgins said the gold medal-winning performances of McKillop, Jason Smyth, Mark Rohan, Darragh McDonald and Bethany Firth were “brave and heart-warming”.

“We also remember the wonderful medal-winning endeavours of Catherine O Neill, Fran Meehan, Catherine Walsh, Helen Kearney, Orla Barry, James Brown, Damien Shaw, James Dwyer, as well as some great performances which did not achieve medal success,” he said.

“I am delighted that the Paralympic team has exceeded its medal targets by a considerable margin, sixteen medals is an astonishing achievement. “The combined efforts and success of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes makes all of us feel so proud and we are indebted to them.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny also congratulated the team on a fantastic performance at London 2012 Paralympics.

He said: “The team’s phenomenal performance has made the whole country proud and inspired the nation.

“I wish the athletes a well deserved chance to rest and spend time with their families after their extraordinary achievements and I look forward to welcoming them to the Government reception on Friday.”

Jim Stynes has received a new award from the Presdient of Ireland.

The late AFL legend Jim Stynes is among 10 members of the Irish diaspora to receive a new annual award from President Michael D Higgins.

The Presidential Distinguished Service Awards provide recognition to people who have made a sustained and distinguished service to Ireland or Irish communities abroad.

Those heavily involved in Australian Irish community support, arts, culture and sport, charitable work, business and education, peace, reconciliation and development, were eligible for nomination.

Dublin-born Stynes, who lost his battle with cancer on March 20 and was subsequently given a state funeral by the government of Victoria, was awarded in the category of arts, culture and sport.

“Jim Stynes was a sportsman, philanthropist and writer,” a statement from the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore explained.

“In his lifetime he reached the peak of his adopted sport, Australian Rules Football, during a career characterised by fair play, resilience and dedication. His work for young people through the charity he co-founded – the Reach Foundation – has been widely recognised and acknowledged. The impact of his life and work permeates all levels of sporting and public life.”

It added: “As an Irishman, Jim Stynes has represented his country to the highest possible standards and has been a towering example to young people in both countries and beyond.”

Other recipients in the same category were Pat Kelly, a publican in Ottawa, Canada, and French author Pierre Joannon.

Coca-Cola CEO David Keough (USA) and Britain’s Irish International Business Network founder Andy Rogers were awarded for their contributions to business and education.

American philanthropist Chuck Feeney was awarded for his charitable work.

Sally Mulready (Britain), America-based Sr Lena Deavy and Loretta Glucksman, and Fr Michael kelly in Zambia were awarded for Irish community support.

President Michael D Higgins said, in a statement: “Each of the awardees has distinguished themselves by the long-standing service they have given to Ireland and to the Irish community abroad.”

Mr Gilmore announced details of the first recipients at a government meeting on Wednesday.

“I’m delighted to recognise the distinguished and sustained work made by these ten individuals to Ireland, Irish communities abroad or Ireland’s international reputation by people living abroad. We are honouring individuals who, in their own separate ways, have made a remarkable contribution to this country,” he said.

“I made a commitment at the 2011 Global Irish Economic Forum to establish an award system which would provide formal recognition by the Irish State to individuals resident abroad. The award will now be presented on an annual basis.”

The awards will be presents at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin on November 15.

Internet icon: Michael D Higgins

Michael D Higgins has become an overnight viral sensation in the United States, after a two-year-old radio clip in which he lambasts the Tea Party movement spread rapidly through social networks.

On Wednesday, social sharing site Upworthy posted the exchange from a 2010 Newstalk broadcast.

Mr Higgins and a conservative Boston-based talk radio host, Michael Graham, can be heard debating foreign policy.

“Michael D Higgins (who was elected president of Ireland last year) is fed up with over-the-top Tea Party rhetoric, and he isn’t afraid to show it,” wrote Upworthy’s Mansur Gidfar.

“Listen to him call out radio host Michael Graham on everything from health care to foreign policy in this heated exchange from 2010. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.”

Taking Mr Graham to task for support of the Tea Party, the then Labour TD tells him to be “be proud to be a decent American rather than being just a w**ker whipping up fear”.

The Irish Times reports that the clip has resulted in over a million unique page views on the Upworthy site since it was posted on Wednesday.

Listeners to 2RDJ FM radio show Ireland Calling were given a welcome surprise on May 19, when it broadcasted an interview with the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.

Mr Higgins told listeners that his connections with Australia were very strong and explained that his nephew lives in Australia.

President Michael D Higgins.

But the links went further back, more specifically, to Queensland.

He explained his uncle was buried in Toowoomba, southern Queensland, after dying while building railways there.Mr Higgin’s aunt was buried in Warwick.

“My father’s family emigrated to Australia and they were in turn going out to the previous generations of Lynchs, who had visited Australia, so then again entered the new generation of Irish. My nephew Kevin and his family are the next generation making a connection to Australia,” he told Michael Lyons, in an interview that was prerecorded in early May.

Ireland Calling presenters Tina King and Catherine Crosse broadcast the interview on May 19.

Mr Higgins said there will be a ‘new Ireland’ for people to come home to, if they decide to return. He urged people to keep in touch with their home.

“Make the very best use of where you are. Know that you are in our thoughts. You will be most welcome to come back and make all the changes in Ireland that you feel to be necessary to make it a more satisfactory place for you and your children,” he said.

Correction: In the print version of this story published on May 23, Ireland Calling was incorrectly referred to as Michael Lyons’ radio show. In fact, Tina King and Catherine Crosse present Ireland Calling. The author apologises for the error.

Ireland's President elect Michael D Higgins celebrates his victory with wife, Sabina Coyne

Thousands of people have celebrated the success of President-elect Michael D Higgins during a homecoming in Galway city.

Young and old braved the weather during an open air event on Eyre Square.

The 70-year-old Labour veteran, his wife Sabina and party leader Eamon Gilmore were among the guests of honour at the massive street party.

Mr Higgins said: “I think the important thing now is for us to have a celebration and then with determination move in to our common shared different future.

“And I hope at the end of the seven years people will say I have been of some inspirational value to them at home in terms of inclusively and abroad I look forward to representing Ireland.”

His wife, who cried when her husband’s win was formally announced in Dublin Castle, said the election turnout and his support was huge.

“I’m feeling so happy for Michael, myself and for the Irish people,” she said.

“I think they said a big yes and everywhere people were weeping and crying and celebrating.”

Mr Higgins secured more than a million votes after transfers from four counts. It was the largest total in a presidential election.

The poet, professor and campaigner, will be inaugurated on November 11.

His victory came after one of the most remarkable political comebacks ever.

He seized an unprecedented 15% swing in support following the spectacular implosion of his biggest rival, independent Sean Gallagher, on live television in the final days of the campaign.

The former TD vowed to lead the country in a necessary transformation away from values based on wealth and said his seven-year term as head of state will be defined by efforts to turn inclusion into reality.

Mr Higgins declared his triumph was built on a left-leaning campaign while his seven-year term will be marked by inclusion, ideas and transformation.

:: Stunning

Jubilant scenes in Eyre Square. (Pic: PA)

The 70-year-old’s resounding victory was obvious within an hour of ballot boxes being opened in a massive voter swing just days after favourite Sean Gallagher publicly derailed during a TV debate.

“I feel a little overwhelmed,” Mr Higgins said.

“I’m very, very happy. It is something I prepared for, something I thought about for a long while.

“I am very glad as well that it is a presidency built on a campaign that emphasised ideas. I hope it will be a presidency that will enable everybody to be part of and proud of.”

Mr Higgins secured the victory for Labour – the second in a day as the party edged towards a by-election win – after the other six candidates conceded defeat.

He took 40 per cent of the poll, 701,101 votes out of 1,77 million, on the first count.

Mr Gallagher, the opinion poll topper with a 15-point margin four days before the vote, saw his support vanish to 28 per cent in a stunning defeat blamed on his ties to Fianna Fáil, the party most associated with Ireland’s economic demise.

But the businessman refused to criticise.

“These are campaigns and this is the nature of a campaign,” the former political fund raiser said

Eamon Gilmore, Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) and Labour leader, said it had been an honour to nominate Mr Higgins for the job.

“This is a good day for the Labour Party. “I’m really happy for him. I’m really delighted that he succeeded,” Mr Gilmore said.

Runner-up Mr Gallagher would not blame the man who derailed his seemingly unassailable campaign on live TV last Monday.

The businessman – a former fund raiser for the Fianna Fáil party which was widely blamed for the country’s economic woes — ran into a storm of controversy amid allegations he was a “bag man” soliciting and collecting donations.

Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, who was ran third in the poll securing a tactical victory, dropped the bombshell that Mr Gallagher had requested and personally received a €5,000 cheque from a businessman with a conviction for tax fraud and fuel smuggling.

With his wife Trish by his side, Mr Gallagher admitted it had been an enduring campaign before he paid tribute to Mr Higgins.

Two independents at the bottom of the polls, Mary Davis, who headed the Irish division of Special Olympics, and Dana Rosemary Scallon, former Eurovision winner and Eurosceptic MEP, were excluded on the first count.

But Gay Mitchell had the worst performance in history by a candidate from Fine Gael.

His failure to register left him vying with Senator David Norris, a former Trinity professor and Joycean scholar, for the fourth and fifth spots. The Senator was first candidate to declare Mr Higgins’ win.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter was again forced to deny allegations that Fine Gael failed to offer its full support to presidential flop Mr Mitchell.

He said he did not think Mr Mitchell’s defeat had anything to do with the party, saying the presidential election is more about personality than politics.

“It’s a very different election. It’s a personality election,” he said.

:: Referenda

Meanwhile, Government plans to give politicians radically beefed up powers of investigation have been defeated, dealing a huge blow to the coalition.

While a referendum to cut judges’ pay was unanimously supported, a second vote on whether to allow the Oireachtas hold major inquiries into matters of public importance was rejected.

It had been opposed by eight former attorneys general.

Alan Shatter, the Justice Minister who championed the defeated reform, denied he had been arrogant in dismissing the advice of the leading lawyers.

“When something goes wrong no-one is ever criticised, everything comes down to systemic failure,” he said.

The public voted the planned reform down 53% against.

Michael D Higgins has come out as the preferred president for Ireland in a symbolic poll of Irish expats.

Voters across Ireland go to the polls today to elect the country’s ninth president.

A record seven candidates have been vying for support, with the campaign marked by bitter claim and counter-claim involving leading contender Sean Gallagher in the final 72 hours.

The independent candidate, who was a political fundraiser for the Fianna Fail party in 2008, has been attacked over claims he personally requested and collected a €5,000 cheque from a businessman for a meet-and-greet with then taoiseach Brian Cowen.

He has also been under pressure over financial transactions in his businesses and despite him giving some explanations confusion remains over a directors’ loan.

Other contenders are Labour Party veteran Michael D Higgins, thrown in as odds-on favourite today, and Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, who resigned as Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister to run and led the charge against Mr Gallagher at the last live debate on Monday.

Next on the bookies list are Gay Mitchell of the Government Fine Gael party — but who has failed to garner support from his own political grassroots — and Senator David Norris, an independent, a former Trinity College, Dublin professor and a Joycean scholar.

Former head of the Special Olympics in Ireland Mary Davis, who brought the world games to Croke Park in Dublin in 2003, and former Eurovision winner Dana Rosemary Scallon, a successful Christian singer in the US and a one-time eurosceptic MEP are expected to run towards the bottom of the poll.

About 3.1 million people are eligible to vote in the single transferable vote system, where the successful candidate needs 50 per cent of the vote plus one.

Ireland’s ninth president will follow the respected 14-year two-terms held by Mary McAleese. She leaves office on November 10 after a remarkable tenure marked by her “Building Bridges” theme and work on the peace process in Northern Ireland.

The President’s residence, Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, was also opened to more guests and visitors than ever before.

Counting of ballots begins on Friday at 9am in 43 constituencies across the country with results relayed to a central database in Dublin Castle.

Early figures from the first counts from individual constituencies can be expected in the evening, with indications of how the poll will pan out later that night.

However, if the pattern of opinion polls in the final week is to be believed no candidate is likely to be within 10 per cent of the 50 per cent plus one majority. And with seven candidates the result may only be decided certainly after a second count and possibly going down to a third or fourth.

The electorate is also being asked to vote on two referendums to make alterations to the Irish constitution.

One is on a proposal to beef up the powers of parliamentary committees in holding inquiries into matters of public interest, while the other would allow the government to reduce the pay of judges.

Also, in west Dublin, voting takes place to fill the seat of the late former finance minister Brian Lenihan.

:: Higgins tops expat poll for President

Michael D Higgins has won by a landslide in an online presidential election among 2,500 Irish emigrants.

The Labour candidate received 40 per cent of first preference votes with independent Senator David Norris coming in second at 24 per cent in a count by the Ballotbox.ie website.

However, frontrunner Sean Gallagher finished fourth with 10 per cent, eight points behind Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness in third place at 18 per cent.

Irish emigrants from over 97 countries were polled by Ballotbox.ie, a site founded by recent Irish emigrants to highlight the disenfranchisement to Irish people once they leave the State.

Britain, United States, Canada, Germany and Australia were the dominant countries from which votes were received while predominant home constituencies were in Dublin and Cork.

Other votes came from from Estonia, Malawi, Nicaragua and El Salvador.

Voting took place over six days and closed today, with IP technology used to block voters in Ireland and passport information used to discourage non-Irish voters.

Registering less than 10 per cent between them were Fine Gael candidate Gay Mitchell , independent Mary Davis and independent Dana Rosemary Scallon.

Michael D Higgins is the first confirmed candidate for this year's presidential election.

Michael D Higgins has won the Labour Party nomination to run as its candidate for the presidential election.

The party president defeated former party adviser Fergus Finlay and former senator Kathleen O’Meara at a convention in Dublin.

Mr Higgins’ wife Sabina ran up and kissed her husband as the result was announced in the Mansion House.

The 70-year-old polled 37 votes, compared to 18 for Mr Finlay and seven for Ms O’Meara The secret ballot had been taken by members of the Parliamentary Labour Party, including TDs, senators, MEPs and members of its executive board.

Mr Higgins is the first official candidate in the race to succeed President Mary McAleese in the autumn.

He was first elected to the Seanad in 1973 and to the Dáil in 1981. He served as minister for arts, culture and the gaeltacht from 1993 to 1997, and was previously mayor of Galway twice.

He retired as a TD for Galway West ahead of the general election earlier this year to concentrate on his presidential campaign

An academic, Mr Higgins is also a keen poet, author and dedicated human rights activist.

He became the first recipient of the Sean MacBride Peace Prize of the International Peace Bureau in Helsinki in 1992 in recognition of his work for peace and justice.

Mr Higgins paid tribute to the other candidates but said he was confident he had a majority after holding lengthy meetings with party members.

Mr Finlay, chief executive of children’s charity Barnardo’s, was an adviser to Labour’s Dick Spring in the ’80s and ’90s before leaving the party in 1997.

Meanwhile former journalist Ms O’Meara has been a county and town councillor for Nenagh, Co Tipperary, and was head of advocacy and communications with the Irish Cancer Society in 2008.

“I am very honoured and very pleased and I intend to have an energetic campaign that will bring me all over the country,” said Mr Higgins.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the presidential campaign would not be between the parties but between the candidates.

He said the Labour Party would not be claiming ownership of the candidate selected because the party respected the independence of the presidency.