Described variously as a poet, a politician, a sociologist and a broadcaster, the current President of Ireland was also, at one time, a regular contributor for Hot Press.

Following a 1982 interview with the magazine, Michael D. Higgins was asked to write a column by Editor Niall Stokes. Given the freedom to write about whatever he wanted, "as long as it was between 800 and 2,500 words", Higgins turned the column into a moral, intellectual and personal diary of the '80s.

He reported from Seanad Éireann and from his travels to places as far flung as Chile and Nicaragua, as well as writing about ethics, community, morality and sustainability. Mr. Higgins wrote for the magazine for more than 11 years, before becoming Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in 1993.

In the newest issue, he revisits his old column and reflects on a society where individualism, social media and neo-liberalism have led us to disregard or ignore the problems like climate change, famine and loneliness.

The Michael D. Higgins Column is not a celebratory reminiscing of times past, but a timely examination of the world we live in today.

To read the full column, you can buy our Hot Press 40th Birthday Special issue on racks across Ireland now. You can also Buy 41-10: The 40th Birthday Special direct from hotpress.com, or download the iOS app for iPad.