THE PRESIDENT took time to honour those who can't make it home this festive season.
Christmas is a time for family and rekindling relationships, however for some families, that is not an option financially or for other reasons.
Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina held a ceremony to witness the Christmas tree being lit in Áras an Uachtaráin and hundreds of attendees listened to the President honour those away at Christmas.
According to The Irish Times, President Higgins said his thoughts are with emigrants, immigrants, and people working in the defence forces at this difficult time of year.
Higgins dedicated the tree as an offering to those who couldn't return for Christmas: "And so this evening, as we light the Christmas tree in Áras an Uachtaráin, we will remember all of the people for whom it is being lit – we will remember our emigrants who will be with us in spirit, even if they cannot make it home for Christmas this year.
He also honoured those are sick and without shelter: "We will remember those who have lost someone, the bereaved for whom this Christmas will be a particularly sad and difficult time; we will remember the lonely, the ill and the homeless; we will remember those who have come to Ireland in recent times to make a new home here and who will be bringing their own special memories to their Christmas celebrations".
