IN PICTURES: President Catherine Connolly's visit to Derry

At the event on Friday, the President met with young people taking part in a number of Youth Action Northern Ireland projects. Some of the groups present included young people engaging with St Columb’s Park House Peace and Reconciliation Centre itself, REACH Across which is a cross-community youth organisation for 14-17 year olds in the North West region of Northern Ireland, North West Islamic Association, Donegal Youth Services, a school group from Raphoe in Co Donegal, and Derry City and Strabane District Council which leads on 58 projects funded by the EU’s PeacePlus programme.

Over the course of the official visit to the north, President Connolly visited a range of community projects across Belfast and Derry and met with politicians and community leaders from the two cities.

On Wednesday, the President commenced her official visit with a meeting with First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly at Stormont Castle. The President subsequently delivered an address at Ulster University and visited a number of different groups in the city including the Peace Players basketball initiative, Black Mountain Shared Space, Linen Hall Library, and a reception for women in community leadership.

On Thursday morning, the President delivered an address at a civic reception at the Guildhall in Derry. Over the course of the day, President Connolly received a tour of the Siege Museum, and visited An Cultúrlann and the Nerve Centre. The President also visited the Museum of Free Derry, where she had an opportunity to meet with relatives of victims of Bloody Sunday.

The President’s three-day visit to Northern Ireland marked the first official visit of President Connolly’s presidency and fulfilled a commitment made in her inauguration address that her first official visit would be to Northern Ireland, where she would meet with people from all communities and celebrate the rich heritage and traditions of all who live there.

Speaking after hosting the President at the Guildhall, Derry & Strabane Mayor Ruairí McHugh said the President’s visit to Derry was “of profound importance to us all and marks a moment of great pride for this community”.

“President Connolly has a long and distinguished record of public service, defined by sincerity, integrity, and a tireless commitment to equality and social justice. Her election success reflects a shared belief in the values that bind the people of this island together. We are sincerely grateful that she chose to spend time with us so early in her term,” Mayor McHugh added.