Phoenix Bark!

by Katie Finnegan

Bruno - Courtsey of Valerie Hughes

Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina will not be joined by their four adult children in their new home in Dublin's Phoenix Park, but the couple are not the only ones moving in. The halls of Aras an Uachtarain will be filled with the sound of heavy paws as the couple is set to adopt Bruno the Bernese Mountain Dog. 

The presidential pooch, was a 12-month-old homeless puppy owned by a Northern Irish couple who emigrated to South Africa. Sadly, they could not take him with them and that’s when Galway Bay fm radio broadcaster and dog breeder Valerie Hughes stepped in.


"They were absolutely devastated and heartbroken when they handed him into the Bernese Mountain Dog Club," Ms Hughes said.






Ms Hughes is one of the best-known breeders of Bernese Mountain Dogs in the country and has won many awards in a variety of different dog shows for her pedigree Bernese Mountain Dogs. Many of these have been at Crufts, the world's largest dog show held annually in Birmingham, amongst others.

"He has had Bernese mountain dogs for over 19 years and is very familiar with the breed so we are just delighted that the new president is going to stay with the breed that he knows and loves."

Bernese Mountain Dogs can reach up to 70cm in height and an astonishing 120 pounds in weight. The handsome Swiss dogs retain their puppy-like enthusiasm until they are about 2½ years old, so need plenty of open space to bounce and play. Where better to do that than in Aras an Uachtaran.

Ms Hughes said that the new President had been in touch with her regarding the dog for some time and he was adamant that the lucky dog that would be joining him the Aras would be a dog that was in need of a good home. She also revealed that one of her own pedigree puppies would be joining Bruno at some stage in the New Year.


"When I told Michael D about the dog, his eyes lit up and he was bowled over by the pictures. The second puppy will be born in the New Year and I will house-rear that so that the Aras staff and security don't have to be cleaning up after a young puppy," she said.
 
Bruno moved into his new home on the 11^th of November

Valerie and her award winning Miss Ailce pictured with Michael D. Higgins at Galway Bay fm

John Lee and the chair

In other presidential news, the white Oak inauguration chair used in the inaugural ceremony for Michael D Higgins has been designed and made by GMIT Letterfrack graduate John Lee. 

John, based in Pagestown, Maynooth, Co.Meath, graduated from the Furniture Design and Manufacture programme in 1993 and following a number of years working in the UK, returned to Ireland and set up his own highly successful furniture design and making business.

John was awarded the commission following a tendering process conducted by the OPW to replace the previous chair, the ‘Viceregal Throne’, made in the 19th Century for the British Viceroys or Lord Lieutenants of Ireland who controlled British administration in Ireland.  This chair was altered for use by the Éire government to inaugurate the first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde, by removing a carved crown that decorated its top and incorporating the State Harp as a fabric inset in the back of the chair.

"The new chair is a modest and modern but not overwhelming piece that reflects the dignity of the office of the President," says Mr Lee.