While in New York, the President is also set to visit Rockland GAA, the largest GAA club outside of Ireland.

President Higgins has confirmed that, at the suggestion of the Government, he has accepted an invitation to address the United Nations during his trip to the US next week. Beginning his trip at the UN headquarters in New York next Tuesday, Higgins will discuss the future role of Ireland’s commitment to peacebuilding and sustaining peace, and Ireland’s contribution to the UN. While there, he will meet with UN Secretary General António Guterres, a fervent socialist and a pioneer for change. He is also set to meet with the President of the UN General Assembly, Miroslav Lajcák, a key figure in the mediation of the post-conflict crises in the Western Balkans. The President will be joined by his wife Sabina and Children's Minister Katherine Zappone. In a statement posted on his website, President Higgins' team confirmed his itinerary for his time in New York. "He will highlight Ireland’s contribution to the United Nations, and in particular the role played by Ireland in the negotiation and ratification process for the international Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement to address climate change. "Following a series of high level meetings, the President will take the opportunity to meet with organisations supporting Irish immigrants in the United States, and organisations promoting Irish talent and expertise in areas such as business, sports and the arts." The President’s visit to the US begins on Tuesday, 24 April with a keynote address at the High-Level Meeting on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace, at the UN Headquarters. On Wednesday, following meetings with Guterres and Lajcák, the President and Sabina Higgins will meet members of the Irish community in New York, after which they will visit the site of the new Irish Arts Center, meet with its supporters and community partners, and attend a gala concert in support of the Irish Arts Centre. Thursday will see the President address an event highlighting the achievements of Irish women in business, politics and philanthropy as well as delivering an address to the staff and students at Columbia University, as part of Columbia’s ‘World Leaders Forum’. On Friday, the President will meet with invitees of Irish State agencies Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland, IDA Ireland and Culture Ireland followed by a trip to view the Berg Collection of literary artefacts at the New York Public Library and also visit the Tenement Museum. And finally, Saturday sees the President meet representatives of immigration and community centres working in the Greater New York area, followed by a visit to Rockland GAA, the largest GAA club outside Ireland.