The Moderator wrote, "On behalf of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, I write offering the greetings of the General Assembly and our congratulations on your historic re-election as Uachtarán na hÉireann.
"The call to leadership, and to this special office in particular, is a great honour. As someone who was also elected this year, albeit to a different kind of office - and for one year not seven - I can appreciate the responsibility that humbles and the challenges that come with it.
"As president and a poet you spoke of many things in your acceptance speech on Saturday - from the power of words to specific challenges both current and future, that Ireland faces at home and around the world. Mindful of what you spoke of, and as you embark upon your second term, be assured of my continued prayers and those of many throughout our Church across Ireland, south and north."
In February as Moderator, Dr Noble McNeely, visited President Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President of Ireland, as part of his week-long tour of the Church's Presbytery of Dublin and Munster. You can read about his visit here.