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Ireland’s First Lady Sabina Higgins has opened up about her excitement at leaving Aras An Uachtaráin – saying she is looking forward to “not having a bother in the world”.
President Michael D. Higgins and his wife will return back to Galway after their time in the Phoenix Park ends later this year.
Speaking to host Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh for a special Nationwide show on Monday, Sabina revealed her and the President’s next plans, saying they will be moving back home to Galway.
She said: “I hope the West will be asleep, and I will be sleeping luxuriously in its lap, and I will be looking up at the beautiful Western sunsets, and I will not have a bother in the world about what’s happening.
“As it was, the President will still be always. People would be coming for him…
“It’s been non-stop,” she admitted, before adding: “It’s kind of 24 hours a day, 365 days.
“And so many books that I haven’t had a chance to read and love,” she added.
In Monday night’s special episode of RTÉ Nationwide, Bláthnaid goes behind the scenes at the last season of garden parties at Áras an Uachtaráin.
A tradition since 1939, the annual garden parties take place over a three-week period in late June and early July.
From 450 up to 600 guests experience the house and stunning grounds and the Áras staff begin preparations early in the year to make sure their experience is an unforgettable one.
The guests include those doing valuable work in their community. President Higgins tells RTÉ Nationwide about what’s at the heart of the events: “People who have been doing wonderful things get recognition. I meet the different people from the different branches of their activities, and they tell me and talk about it and I think that that is important.”
Head gardener Robert Norris takes viewers on a tour of the gardens which include the formal gardens, ceremonial tree-lined avenues and two walled gardens. One is the president’s flower garden and the second is a 2.2 hectare organic fruit and vegetable garden.
In the Áras kitchens Executive Head chef Tina Weir and her team start at 5am on the day to prepare the sandwiches and home baked delicacies that go down a treat.
The guests arrive mid-afternoon and are greeted by the president and Sabina Higgins and for many it is their first time in the Áras.
They include 16-year-old Sarah who is a member of the organisation, Family Carers Ireland, who said: “I think it’s really important and I think it’s really special because it’s not us – we are here as a community on behalf of everyone in Ireland who is a young carer and we might be confident to be able to speak here but not everyone can do that, most of them face challenges. I think it’s really special to be here to represent them all.”
Bernadette Carroll has worked at the Áras since 1991 and is employed by the OPW as Supervisor to the Household Staff. “I think it is a privilege to work for three presidents of Ireland. There are not many presidents in the world that would open their houses free of charge to people to come into,” she said.
Sabina Higgins describes the team effort of all at the Áras that makes the experience for the guests so special. “The presidency is the thing and everyone here – they are all there to support the presidency. It is hugely important, and it is celebratory. What is the magic thing about it is, we are here for 14 years and in 14 years every garden party has been a beautiful sunny day. And the letters that come in from people, it means so much to them. But always magic, magical, is how they describe it.”
Watch RTÉ Nationwide this Monday, 15th September at 7pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
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