Irish President Catherine Connolly arrives at Stormont for NI visit

Irish President Catherine Connolly has been greeted by Northern Ireland’s First Minister and deputy First Minister at the start of her three-day visit.

The engagements this week are Ms Connolly’s first official visit to the region during her presidency.

She arrived at Stormont Castle on Wednesday morning, where she was welcomed by First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

All three shook hands and Ms O’Neill told Ms Connolly, “it’s great to have you here”, showing her the front of the castle which is the home of the Stormont Executive.

The trio also posed for pictures for gathered media before walking up the steps together.

Speaking to media in nearby Parliament Buildings later, Ms O’Neill said she believes they are going to have a “very good relationship”, adding that she has invited Ms Connolly to attend the first Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Belfast later this year.

She said during their meeting they discussed the peace process, culture, arts, the Irish language and Ulster Scots.

“I was absolutely delighted to welcome Uachtaran na hEireann Catherine Connolly to Belfast today. She’s here for a packed visit over the next couple of days, many community events.

“It was my honour as First Minister to welcome her to Stormont Castle. She is very much fulfilling her pledge that she made to be a president for all, to make her first official visit to the north. It was just great to have her here today.

“I believe that her whole campaign was about hope, about opportunity. It was about inclusion, it was about unity, it was about building for the future, and I think that we are going to enjoy a very good relationship with her throughout her tenure as Uachtaran na hEireann.”

In a statement, Ms Little-Pengelly said: “We had a positive engagement with President Connolly.

“I believe in building positive working relationships, particularly important in the context of our closest neighbour, based on mutual respect.”

In her inaugural speech, Ms Connolly said she looked forward to her “first official visit to the north” and referenced Article 3 of the Irish constitution, which sets out the firm wish of the Irish people for a united Ireland under consent.

The President will later deliver an address at the Ulster University Campus in north Belfast at 1.30pm.

Over the course of the day, she will also visit a number of community initiatives in Belfast.

The President’s official visit to Northern Ireland will continue on Thursday and Friday with engagements in County Londonderry.