Well-wishers gathered outside Áras an Uachtaráin on Monday evening as Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina left the presidential residence on his final day in office. The couple were greeted with cheers and given yellow roses, said to symbolise friendship and joy.
Members of the Sanctuary Runners — a group of Irish citizens, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees of which Mr Higgins is patron — formed a guard of honour outside the gates in Phoenix Park. One runner, Monica Pumpkin, originally from Botswana, handed the couple yellow roses to thank them for his support during his presidency.
Earlier, a group of Bernese mountain dog owners had come to say farewell. President Higgins has owned several Bernese mountain dogs during his time in office, including his current five-year-old dog, Misneach.
In a statement, Mr Higgins described serving as president as “a great privilege” and thanked the people of Ireland “for the warmth of reception which they gave to both Sabina and myself over the past 14 years,” adding that it had allowed him to engage with issues and projects to promote an inclusive citizenship and a creative society.
A portrait of Mr Higgins was removed from its central position inside the main entrance to Leinster House earlier in the day. Incoming president Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated at a ceremony in Dublin Castle on Tuesday.
