President Higgins discovers Liverpool’s link with Ireland

Ireland’s president will discover Liverpool’s links to the country as he spends the final day of his visit to England in the city today.

Michael D Higgins started his three-day trip with a day of engagements in Birmingham on Monday, before spending Tuesday in Liverpool where he met with HRH The Prince of Wales at the Victoria Gallery and Museum.

In President Higgins’ first term in office, his first official visit overseas was to #Liverpool.

Now, on his first official visit of his second term, President Higgins is back in the same city.https://t.co/zkMhmfxXg7 pic.twitter.com/AXT7VWenux

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) 13 February 2019

Today (Wednesday 13th February 2019) he and wife Sabina will meet members of the Irish diaspora at the Liverpool Irish Association headquarters, before visiting the city’s Central Library where they will view material of Irish interest, including documents relating to those who fled from the Great Famine.

They will then visit the Liverpool World Museum where they will see artefacts which reflect the city’s history as a port with significant Irish and other migratory influences.

On Tuesday, the President called for the “warm relationship” between Ireland and the UK to survive whatever the outcome of the “Brexit odyssey” as he addressed a business lunch.

Earlier in the day, he and wife Sabina renewed their friendship with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall when the foursome visited Liverpool University’s Institute of Irish Studies.

President Higgins and the Prince of Wales are joint Patrons of the Institute of Irish Studies.

The Institute was formed in 1988, as part of the 1985 Anglo-Irish agreement to encourage greater understanding between the UK and Ireland.https://t.co/DMyZK2bDLy pic.twitter.com/qrsois2vmv

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) 12 February 2019

At the start of his visit, the President gave a speech at Birmingham Town Hall in which he said the “dark days” of the UK and Ireland’s relationship were “behind us”.

Paying tribute to the 21 people who lost their lives in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings, Mr Higgins said:” The relationship between Ireland and the UK is now one of co-operation, strength and friendship.”

The President and Mrs Higgins are due to depart for Dublin later today.

It’s been an amazing few days in the city and we want to see your pictures from the Presidential and Royal visits. Drop us a line on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and we’ll share the best on our socials.