Taylor Swift has had a big year with a record-breaking album and an engagement but we didn’t expect to see her feature in the Irish Presidential election!
It’s been an emotional week in Irish politics as Michael D Higgins officially bid farewell to Áras an Uachtaráin on Monday evening, ahead of Catherine Connolly’s inauguration as President of Ireland.
RTÉ’s TikTok account marked the moment with a video of the beloved President and his wife Sabina leaving the Áras, as crowds waited outside to wave him off and hand him roses.
President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina receive Catherine Connolly and husband Brian McEnery at Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin. Pic: Maxwell’s
But what really set the nation off was the soundtrack they chose to play over the clip which had people in tears.
The song Bigger Than the Whole Sky by Taylor Swift played and it got people feeling very emotional, as she sang: ‘Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, You were bigger than the whole sky, You were more than just a short time, And I’ve got a lot to pine about, I’ve got a lot to live without…’
@rteone Michael D Higgins leaving Áras an Uachtaráin this evening, as his term as President of Ireland comes to an end 🥹🇮🇪 Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated as the tenth President of Ireland tomorrow. #MichaelDHiggins ♬ original sound – _.affyswift – ªffƴyy. 🕊🍉
One person commented: ‘Who is in charge of the music on RTÉ and are you okay.’ The RTÉ account replied: ‘It’s been an emotional day.’
‘The social media team need a raise picking this song,’ another wrote, along with the clapping and crying emojis.
‘Ahhhh lads out of all of the songs… that’s gonna make everyone sob,’ wrote another person as RTÉ replied, saying: ‘If we’re crying, you’re all crying too.’
President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina. at Aras an Uachtarain during a visit of H.R.H. Princess Anne, The Princess Royal. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Another wrote: ‘The concept of michael d higgins leaving áras an uachtaráin to a Taylor Swift song,’ while another agreed, saying: ‘Only Taylor could capture this emotion.’
One person summed it up, writing: ‘Well that’s the Reeling in the Years clip for 2025. Michael D you did Ireland proud. Enjoy your retirement.’