President Michael D. Higgins confers Paul Muldoon with the title of Saoi of Aosdána. Photo: Maxwell Photography

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins presided at a ceremony, today, Thursday 6th February 2025, to mark the election of poet and Aosdána member Paul Muldoon to Saoi  of Aosdána.  

The honour of Saoi is bestowed for singular and sustained distinction in the arts and, this afternoon, the President presented Professor Muldoon with the symbol of the office, a gold Torc. The ceremony took place in Áras an Uachtarán.  

Speaking today, President Michael D. Higgins, says:  

“Reflecting upon a lifetime of outstanding creative work, which continues, it is such a pleasure to congratulate Paul Muldoon on being chosen by his peers in the world of arts and culture for this honour and, mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, to thank him for all that he has given, and all that he continues to give to us and to the world of Irish literature. 

Traoslaím leis agus guím rath agus beannacht ar a chuid oibre agus ar a shaol.” 

Maura McGrath, Chair of The Arts Council, says:  

“To date, there have been 21 Saoithe, and today, the happy occasion of Paul Muldoon’s election brings the number to 22 across Aosdána’s 44 years. Paul Muldoon is the thirteenth Saoi in the discipline of literature. The title of ‘Saoi’ is an honour only conferred on artists whose body of work is considered by their fellow members to be of significant merit and distinction.” 

The current Saoithe are: Roger Doyle (music) elected 2019; George Morrison (visual art) elected Saoi in 2016; and Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin (literature) elected in 2022. Members of Aosdána nominate and elect the Saoithe and no more than seven members may hold this honour at any one time.   

The ceremony was attended by many of the poet’s colleagues, family and friends. Also present were Arts Council Director, Maureen Kennelly; Arts Council Chair, Maura McGrath and Aosdána Toscaireacht Chair, Cecily Brennan. 

 More information about Paul Muldoon and his work can be found here.