President of Ireland Catherine Connolly is set to engage with a variety of Irish communities during a forthcoming visit to the English cities of London and Leeds. This marks her first official trip to England since her inauguration in November, when she expressed a strong commitment to connecting with the Irish diaspora.
Three-Day Itinerary
The three-day visit will commence on Monday with a stop at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith. There, President Connolly will deliver an address and meet participants in an Irish language class. She will also enjoy musical and dance performances. In the evening, the Irish ambassador to Britain, Martin Fraser, and his wife, Deirdre Fraser, will host a reception at the Irish embassy in London in honour of President Connolly and her husband, Brian McEnery.
Tuesday and Wednesday Engagements
On Tuesday, the president will attend the Chelsea Flower Show and visit the London Irish Centre in Camden. The trip will conclude on Wednesday with visits to Leeds University and the Leeds Irish Centre. In Leeds, President Connolly will receive a briefing on the work of the Irish Health Centre and meet representatives from other Irish centres in the region.
This visit represents the third official trip abroad for President Connolly since taking office, following earlier visits to Northern Ireland and Spain.
