A special evening of poetry and music will be held at the National Concert Hall on Friday, September 5, to celebrate the life and work of President Michael D Higgins.

Against All Certainty: A Celebration of Michael D. Higgins will mark the release of the President’s debut spoken-word album, Against All Certainty, and pay tribute to his contribution to the arts, culture and society in Ireland.

Hosted by Tommy Tiernan, the participants will include singer-songwriters including Galway’s Mary Coughlan, alongside Paul Brady, Imelda May, Andy Irvine and Brían Mac Gloinn (of Ye Vagabonds); musicians Myles O’Reilly and Rónán Ó Snodaigh; renowned fiddle player Martin Hayes; and newer voices Niamh Bury, Muireann Bradley and Seán Boylan.

The former Ireland Professor of Poetry Paula Meehan, prize-winning author and former Laureate for Irish Fiction, Sebastian Barry; Limerick-based rapper God Knows; broadcaster Ryan Tubridy; gay rights activist and drag queen Panti Bliss; and Galway actor and writer Olwen Fouéré will also be part of celebrating President Higgins’s legacy as a poet and cultural champion, during and prior to his presidency.

There will be live performances of Michael D Higgins’ poems to coincide with the release of his debut spoken-word album Against All Certainty on Claddagh Records.

The National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy, will backbone the event.

Michael D Higgins has written four poetry collections – The Betrayal, The Season of Fire, An Arid Season, and New and Selected Poems. Against All Certainty is his first recorded spoken-word project, and was created at Áras an Uachtaráin.

Tickets are €35, €50, €65, €85 and are limited to two per person.

They are available at www.nch.ie by phone at 01-4170000 or from the box office.

Against All Certainty Album CD €15, available to purchase with your ticket at the time of booking (Album will be available for collection on the night).

Option to purchase/pre-order the album only is available directly from Claddagh Records.

Pictured: President Michael D Higgins