President Connolly celebrates the ties that bind during Scottish visit

DEEP-rooted cultural, linguistic and political ties which bind the two countries were at the heart of President Catherine Connolly's four-day official visit to Scotland, the first time a sitting Irish Head of State has visited since 2016.

Accompanied by her husband, Brian McEnery, the president met First Minister John Swinney and his wife, Elizabeth Quigley, at Bute House. Discussions focused on international co-operation, climate challenges and progress on the Ireland-Scotland Joint Co-operation Framework.

One of the President’s first engagements was a visit to The National Museum of Scotland where she met researchers involved in the Across These Islands: Shared History, Shared Futures project which promotes cultural co-operation between Ireland and the United Kingdom. The visit highlighted the importance of preserving historical records and recognising the experiences that connect the community on both sides of the Irish Sea.

In Glasgow, the theme continued at The Mitchell Library. President Connolly viewed the Poor Relief Archives where she saw records which ‘contain a wealth of information on the lives and backgrounds of individuals and families and are very precious historial resources providing an insight into the lived experience of the Irish community in Glasgow.’

At the library she spent time at the Working Over By: Donegal Emigrant Working Lives in Scotland 1940-1990 exhibition. Later at a community reception hosted by Consul General Jerry O’Donovan the President paid tribute to the staff of the library and other institutions that work to preserve the history with integrity, often with limited resources.

On several occasions throughout her days in Scotland, she expressed the hope she felt and her empathy for those, and all those like them, who had to leave home. Even though her own time in the UK had been for study she understood the feelings of loss and longing.

At a civic reception in St Patrick’s Parish Hall, Coatbridge, where she was welcomed by Frank McNally MP the recognition of the historical and contemporary role of the Irish in Scottish civic life and culture continued.

Lord Lieutenant Lady Susan Haughey CBE, and Provost Kenneth Duffy welcomed her to St Patrick’s Primary School, Coatbridge. She was treated to a joyous display of the culture so proudly expressed in the area. Pupils from St Augustine’s, St Bartholomew’s and St Mary’s joined in the show of song, Irish dance and a display on Gaelic football (above).

During her visit she received a Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and attended a private dinner hosted by King Charles at Dumfries House, East Ayrshire.

The official visit concluded with a trip to Skye where she presented the prestigious Òraid an t-Sabhail annual lecture at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture.