President Higgins and Sabina host New Year’s Eve performance to end the year of Covid

As a gesture to all those who have died, or who have lost a loved-one during the past year, President Higgins and Sabina have invited Dan McCabe to perform ‘The Parting Glass’ at Áras an Uachtaráin for New Year’s Eve. The performance serves to remember the year that was, and to bring 2020 to a close, with a thought for them all.

The performance is part of the President’s ‘Samhlaíocht agus An Náisiún / Imagination and the Nation’ initiative, which highlights the powerful and transformative role of art and creativity in society.

In his introduction, the President said:

“Agus muid ag fágáil slán le blain an Covid is cóir dúinn smaoineamh ar íad atá imithe úainn agus íad atá fágtha ina ndiaidh.

"As we emerge from the year of Covid it is appropriate that we remember all those who have departed from us during the year, and those they have left behind and who did not have the opportunity of grieving for them in the way that is so traditional, and so central to Irish life.

"As a gesture to them both, and on behalf of all of us, Sabina and I are so pleased to have Dan McCabe perform ‘The Parting Glass’ as we leave this tough year behind.

May we wish you all a year of health and fulfilment in 2021.

Beir Beannacht d’on bhliain nua.”

An video of the President’s welcome message and Dan McCabe’s performance is available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/HOcNmU39YSk

An audio recording of the President’s message and the performance is available for download and broadcast here: https://soundcloud.com/presidentirl/new-years-eve-2020-president-higgins-invites-dan-mccabe-to-perform-the-parting-glass/s-4GL8SPGZXVN