12 Oct 2025

On Wednesday, 24 September 2025, the Irish Association for Nurses in Oncology (IANO) was honoured to attend an Afternoon Tea in the State Banquet Room at Áras an Uachtaráin, hosted by President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins.

This special occasion celebrated the invaluable contributions of community organisations across Ireland. For the IANO, it marked the recognition of 42 years dedicated to highlighting the profile and contribution of oncology nursing throughout Ireland, while supporting continued professional education.

President Higgins, renowned for his lifelong advocacy for human rights, peace, and the arts, embodies values of inclusive citizenship and community well-being. These principles reflect IANO’s own objectives: to promote ongoing education; to raise awareness of the importance and profile of nursing in cancer care; and to provide a network and forum of support and information exchange for nurses working in cancer care.

The event underscored how healthcare professionals—through education, collaboration, and compassion—help to build the just and inclusive society that President Higgins envisions. This Afternoon Tea not only celebrated IANO’s dedication, but also highlighted the shared commitment between our association’s mission and the President’s ethos of empathy, service, and social justice.

Although only a small representation from the current IANO National Executive Committee attended the event, we were deeply mindful of the contributions of all past and present IANO members and visionaries who have shaped our organisation into the highly respected body it is today. This recognition from President Higgins was truly an honour for every IANO member.