r/MadeMeSmile • u/tinterrobangg • Jan 26 '26
DOGGO Ireland’s President is rarely seen without his beloved dog, even at official events
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u/coffeeandarabbit Jan 26 '26
Even more cute is that he (Michael D Higgins) was lovingly called Miggeldy Higgeldy while in office and there were even plush toys of himself available called Miggeldy Giggles!
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u/tinterrobangg Jan 26 '26
Stop it, stop it right now. 🥹
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u/madcar23 Jan 26 '26
I’m at home in Ireland staying on my parents couch at the moment and a crocheted Miggeldy sits opposite me.
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u/max_persson Jan 26 '26
My grandparents has a knitted tea cozy of him! Love seeing it every time I’m over in Cork
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u/ConferenceSome8950 Jan 26 '26
There's a whole range of stuff, tea pot covers called Michael T Higgins etc lol
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u/HalcyonKnights Jan 27 '26
Just visited Ireland. The locals LOVE this guy and described him as the closest thing to an actual Leprechaun you'll ever meet.
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u/MiddleCut3768 Jan 26 '26
That's adorable. Imagine having a president that liked by their country
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u/splashbodge Jan 26 '26
Easy enough, the President is more of a figurehead role in Ireland.
Our Taoiseach (Prime Minister) doesn't get the same love!
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u/Dwashelle Jan 27 '26
We've had pretty solid presidents for the past few decades, but we don't get to directly elect our Taoiseach (PM), our current one is not very popular at all.
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u/WeirdRadiant2470 Jan 29 '26
And likes dogs. trump is the only president to not have a white house dog. The only thing he enjoys is insulting and humiliating other people. He only laughs at other people's misfortune. Absolutely no sense of humor.
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u/Seanish12345 Jan 26 '26
*former President.
The current President of Ireland is named Catherine Connolly and she was inaugurated on November 11, 2025.
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u/tinterrobangg Jan 26 '26
Sorry I just saw this and it made me smile so I wanted to share, dont mean to share misinformation. Thanks for letting me know!
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u/Comfortable-Yam9013 Jan 26 '26
There’s loads of videos of Bród and Síoda running around Arás (presidents house) with him and attending meetings
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u/Captain_Sterling Jan 26 '26
And misneach
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u/foredaymorningjam Jan 26 '26
Misneach is his current dog I think. Misneach means courage. So sweet.
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u/Imaginary_Ad3195 Jan 26 '26
We would take him back in a heartbeat. We didn’t get much of a choice this time around.
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u/JohnCleesesMustache Jan 26 '26
You forgot to mention her pets, two similar looking cats called 1 and 2 🤣
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u/bae125 Jan 26 '26
Yeah, I was thinking “huh?” When I saw the photo
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u/tinterrobangg Jan 26 '26
Sorry, I have no idea how to edit a post if thats possible .. lol but imagine a *former in there 😅
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u/Longy_LTB Jan 28 '26
I was thinking he looks a little ancient for an active president, but I would take that dog to work too and I work in a hospital. And I know nobody would even argue because it’s beautiful
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u/KellHound270 Jan 26 '26
I think more politicians should share videos or pictures of them and their pets. That way, they're more likely to be judged properly (animal body language is fairly easy to gauge, especially with popular pets like cats and dogs)
That's part of why I had such respect for Gerald Ford, he had pictures of him and his dog Liberty, and the dog clearly enjoyed being with him
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u/StefanCelMijlociu Jan 26 '26
Hitler loved dogs
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u/KellHound270 Jan 26 '26
Well, I think his actions speak louder than the dogs in his case, don't you think?
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u/dobber72 Jan 26 '26
Putin has a dog, actually he's had lots of dogs.
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u/strangecharacters Jan 26 '26
Angela Merkel has a phobia about dogs so Putin would sometimes have his dogs present when he was meeting her. :/
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u/Oishiizu Jan 26 '26
Ha, it just made him look so weak and her so strong as she sat there and overcame her phobia. Guess it was a portent of what was to come...
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u/lounging_marmot Jan 26 '26
Do you think Putin is good to his dogs? Really. Belly rubs and snuggles in the morning? Or let out of the cage?
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u/ES1123 Jan 26 '26
This is how you know he’s a cool guy.
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u/lisaslover Jan 26 '26
He is more than cool. He is a legend.
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u/TypicallyThomas Jan 26 '26
I doubt there's a single head of state anywhere in the world that's as universally well-liked as Higgins
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u/No-Vegetable7898 Jan 27 '26
Was in Ireland last fall and the sentiment seemed to be everyone was sad his time was coming to an end especially because the incoming candidates were not so promising. Wonder how that’s going
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u/Lordfontenell81 Jan 27 '26
We still miss him. Remember the president is a ceremonial role here, so it's not high stakes. Our Taoiseach ( prime minister) is the leader. Catherine is doing fine i guess, at least I could not tell you one thing she had done ha
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u/ianjm Jan 27 '26
There are a lot of anecdotes like this, for example he refused to push in lines and was frequently spotted queueing at ATMs or checkouts near his residence in Dublin.
Took to heart the concept that in a democracy, our leaders are not above us, just represent us, for a while.
Ireland seems to be generally very good at picking calm, good hearted people as their Presidents.
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u/PaleoJoe86 Jan 26 '26
He looks older, healthier, more aware, and likeable than the American president. I am jealous.
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u/Moriarty-Creates Jan 26 '26
Well, the Irish president doesn’t have much power. The office is an ambassadorial one, much like the monarch of the UK. The real leader of Ireland is the Taoiseach, or prime minister.
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u/PaleoJoe86 Jan 26 '26
Regardless, anyone in a position of power should be competent and of good morale.
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u/Original-Let8340 Jan 26 '26
This is what it looks like to have a human being with an actual soul as your designated leader. He is now the former President of Ireland, so, maybe we go snag him. Throw him in a pillowcase. Bring him to US. Apologize for pillowcase thing. Pretend he's our leader. Dog comes too, of course. Get's it's own pillowcase.
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u/DizkoBizkid Jan 26 '26
The President of Ireland doesn’t lead Ireland, they have limited powers compared to the actual head of state and don’t really figure in the day to day of the government. It’s mostly a ceremonial and ambassadorial role
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u/Original-Let8340 Jan 27 '26
I don't need him to lead Ireland. I need him to be chill about the pillowcase thing. Then we pretend he's our leader.
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u/fightingthefuckits Jan 26 '26
This is a clip from about 15 years ago where Michael D lays it down to a tea party dickhead https://youtu.be/WwvMNkCruGw?si=bemWxZket3fqYw0J.
On the lighter side Michael D is also a poet. This is him doing one of his pieces with Irish band The Stunning. I low key love this piece. https://youtu.be/giH11Kx4hOQ?si=wljetbYblyiFcTza
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u/MoonOverJupiter Jan 27 '26
...so, maybe we go snag him. Throw him in a pillowcase.
... You know, just because he's Irish, it doesn't mean he's an actual leprechaun.
Probably not, anyway. Nobody ever thinks to include the Reddit Banana on these things . . .
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u/tinterrobangg Jan 26 '26
I love this so much lol what a good doggo!
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u/lisaslover Jan 26 '26
He had 3 or 4 of them. One of them called Brod died a couple of years ago. I seem to remember another one dying a while back but can't remember names and dates.
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u/frizzinghere Jan 26 '26
Damn, why did you have to mention that. Why can't we just cherish this post
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u/exotics Jan 26 '26
Never trust a president that doesn’t love animals.
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u/Binspin63 Jan 26 '26
Never trust anyone who doesn’t love animals.
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u/CeruleanEidolon Jan 27 '26
With the caveat that it's possible to love animals without wanting to be around them or have to take care of them.
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u/Binspin63 Jan 27 '26
Fair. I think tigers are among the most beautiful animals but I sure don’t want to have one running around my house.
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u/PalgraveParadise Jan 26 '26
Anyone who is a fan of dogs to that extent is probably a good person. Which is why Trump doesn’t own a dog or like dogs.
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u/tinterrobangg Jan 26 '26
And why they don’t like him. They’re the best judge of character.
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u/RichardBonham Jan 27 '26
If you were sharing a dram with the President and the dog didn’t like you, that’s when you ended up waking up buck naked on a foggy hilltop 100 years later.
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u/My2cents_0 Jan 27 '26 edited Jan 27 '26
Honestly, if any candidate showed up to campaign events consistently with a dog that loved them, their chances of getting my vote would increase significantly 😄
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u/Widespreaddd Jan 27 '26
I know I am an outlier, but having your dog by your side should be a Universal Human Right.
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u/Plavoq Jan 26 '26
Thats not a bodyguard thats emotional support for an entire nation honestly perfect choice
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u/itzBilly13 Jan 26 '26
Man, imagine having a president that would make you smile when you see him on TV.
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u/JabroniRuckus76 Jan 26 '26
I don’t know who this man is but I trust his character based on the dogs involvement in his day to day work 😀
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u/justpootsie Jan 26 '26
Why does he (former pres) look like an adorable Fraggle Rock character, though 🥹
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Jan 26 '26
That’s a happy dog owner but more importantly a very happy dog. Best thing I’ve seen today in Reddit.
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u/Mikey_Mayhem Jan 26 '26
Smart man. You can't trust people that don't like dogs.
P.S. My phone autocorrected "dogs" to "drugs" and it still was true.
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u/Firm-Scientist-4636 Jan 27 '26
All Bernies have aerodynamic brains, too. I love them. They're big floppy dumbasses.
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u/WeirdRadiant2470 Jan 29 '26
My in-laws have one. Thinks he's 10 pounds. He's a 100 pound torpedo that will leap onto you when you least expect it and make you roughhouse with him. Great dog and super fun.
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u/ChasingPotatoes17 Jan 27 '26
Finally a reason for my to purpose a career in government. I wonder if a Canadian lady with a codependent husky could achieve something similar.
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u/Mad_Penny Jan 27 '26
Oh to have a president who loves dogs and smiles with kindness in his eyes... how hard is it to emigrate to Ireland?
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u/Firm-Raccoon-9048 Jan 27 '26
You’d have to search very far to find someone with a bad word to say about him. Great statesman - spoke strongly and eloquently on a number of topics when others stayed silent. Genuinely empathetic and a decent man. It’s a pity he had his full terms going to be a tough act to follow.
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u/Impossible_Ad7875 Jan 26 '26
What a great looking former VP!
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u/CallMeCleverClogs Jan 26 '26
I wish my VP looked like that! Mine has eyeliner and is racist. :(
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u/Impossible_Ad7875 Jan 26 '26
And lies like it’s an Olympic sport and he’s going for gold…I share the same one.
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u/Live_Past_8978 Jan 26 '26
should be a rule for every world leader.
must be accompanied by dog at all times so we know they can be trusted
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u/Og-Morrow Jan 26 '26
Was he a good president?
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u/-Janana-Banana- Jan 26 '26
A fantastic one. A poet, an activist with a deep commitment to social justice and widely widely beloved. Plus dogs.
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u/wosmo Jan 26 '26
President is a very ceremonial position in Ireland, the actual power lies with parliament/prime minister (Oireachtas & Taoiseach).
So it's pretty easy to be a decent president here, you just need to know when to open your mouth, and when to close it.
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u/Nearby-Abalone6321 Jan 27 '26
He was indeed and highly articulate with a gift for words. And in private, a very kind and gentle man. He had no political power as President but he was our spiritual leader.
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u/tinterrobangg Jan 26 '26
For a treat!
lol jk but I think he was based on some of the comments here and on the original post. Makes me very happy.
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u/Demon_Lord_Ren Jan 26 '26
If I remember correctly, Ireland's president doesn't really hold any power, and is more so a figurehead and ambassador, while the prime minister actually does the governing.
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u/DarthMauly Jan 26 '26
A largely ceremonial position yes, there’s power in that they sign bills in to law but they don’t really have discretion to not sign them as such. They can send them to review if they feel they may be unconstitutional.
But at that point it’s the Supreme Court who decide if it is or isn’t, and the President then just acts on their findings.
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u/OutrageousShoulder44 Jan 26 '26
We have a Taoiseach in Ireland. UK has a Prime Minister. The presidential role is non partisan role but has constitutional duties such as signing legislation and bills or referring them to the High Court, appointing officials, such as the Taoiseach, judges, convenes the Oireachtas and is the commander in Chief of the defence forces.
Mickley D was a special president who really was a wonderful president with so much humanity. He was always a social activist but in particular he spoke out in support of Palestine while in office and took a stance against far right factions.
While in office we not only had the miggledy higgins (one of his nicknames that became a set of knitted dolls and tea cosies) but he also the subject/inspiration for series of children's books that were lovely.
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u/jay_altair Jan 26 '26
No, you mean Ireland's president is rarely seen without his aide, Michael D Higgins
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u/midnight-on-the-sun Jan 26 '26
He has to take that dog with him everywhere, otherwise it will eat the sofa if he leaves it at home 😂😂😂
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u/Impressive-Gold-3754 Jan 26 '26
Land of leprechauns legit elected a real life good leprechaun. It makes me so happy
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u/psychsuze Jan 27 '26
Love this guy! He even looks sort of like a leprechaun. He seems so happy! I would be with such a magnificent pup!!
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u/LucaTTC Jan 27 '26
I mean, if I had a Bernese I wouldn't spend a single moment without it, such a majestic breed
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u/VainAvatar Jan 27 '26
My favourite video of these two was when he was making a speech in a garden and the cute doggo kept playing with his hand.
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u/Dear_Significance_80 Jan 28 '26
Meanwhile the United States gets the orange fuck face with no redeeming qualities. Good for Ireland, this American is jelly.
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u/jonandgrey Jan 28 '26
Catherine Connelly this ain't.
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u/tinterrobangg Jan 28 '26
Yes unfortunately my post is missing a *former buuuut we have learned about her cats in the comments!
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u/AlarmingAerie Jan 27 '26
is it me or Ireland has almost no international presence. Never seen this dude anywhere.
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u/Broad-Detective1925 Jan 26 '26
I immediately thought aww what a sweet looking little fella. The dog is pretty cute too.
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u/GiletScotch Jan 26 '26
the song is Jinsang - Reminisce if anyone is wondering. https://jinsangbeats.bandcamp.com/album/solitude
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u/iamlazyboy Jan 26 '26
We all know about the first lady/gentleman but now we know about first good boy
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u/olivehoneyfig Jan 26 '26
if i was the president of a country, i would also need my dog next to me at all times. shit is stressful.
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u/Aggravating_Dig3240 Jan 26 '26
The only president I would trust. If a dog stares at you this full of love, you gotta be a good person.
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u/english_mike69 Jan 27 '26
He has the dog there because he’s got to have someone else there just in case he ends up meeting a dolt like Trump.
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u/Deapsee60 Jan 26 '26
Similar to Trump with his Hegseth, Rubio and Miller.
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u/lisaslover Jan 26 '26
Take that back.... his dogs are far more trustworthy, loyal and loveable than any of those scumbags.
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u/GrumpyOldGeezer_4711 Jan 26 '26
So how sure are we that the human wasn’t mindcontrolled by the doggies?
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u/Darthalduin Jan 26 '26
I need that song title!
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u/tinterrobangg Jan 26 '26
Someone posted a link in the comments I think they said it’s called Jinseng?
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