Catherine Connolly hails Northern Ireland as 'a beacon of light'

Northern Ireland "represents a beacon of light to the world in how decades-long conflict can be resolved and reconciliation fostered and continued", according to Irish President Catherine Connolly.

She was speaking at the Ulster University's Belfast campus, during a three-day visit to Northern Ireland, the first official visit of her presidency.

Earlier, the president was greeted by First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly on the steps of Stormont Castle on Wednesday.

O'Neill told Connolly "it's great to have you here", before the trio posed for pictures together for the gathered media.

During her speech at Ulster University on Wednesday afternoon, Connolly said that in "a world unfortunately that is ever-more consumed with war and militarism" the "lesson" of Northern Ireland "is increasingly important and increasingly significant".

"It is a lesson that we should all tell the world: that peace is normal and that war is not normal and that peace is possible".

She said this year would mark 28 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

"We can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement, knowing that it is recognised far and wide as a model for peaceful resolution of conflict," she added.

The fluent Irish-speaker said that "we are made richer by the different traditions on this island".

"Our games, our music, our languages, and I emphasise languages, should never divide us," she said.

"They are integral to this island's cultural wealth, they are our shared treasures."

Connolly, in her election campaign last year, spoke of her aspiration for a united Ireland, but acknowledged it required the consent of the majority of citizens.

She said that as president she looked forward to playing her part "in deepening relationships on this island".

Earlier, at Stormont, O'Neill said Connolly was "very much fulfilling her pledge that she made to be a president for all".

"I think we're going to enjoy a very good relationship with her throughout her tenure as Uachtarán na hÉireann (Irish president)," she added.

O'Neill also said she extended an invitation to Connolly to attend the Irish arts festival Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann when it takes place in Belfast in August.

Little-Pengelly said the ministers "had a positive engagement" with the president.

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

On Wednesday morning, the president joined more than 100 primary school children from across Belfast playing basketball at the Physical Education Centre at Queen's University Belfast (QUB).

QUB said the event was part of the 4 Corners Festival and brought "pupils from across the city together for a morning of sport, teamwork and shared learning".

Over the course of Wednesday, Connolly has visited a number of community initiatives in the city.

The president's trip will continue on Thursday and Friday.

The trip fulfils a commitment made in her inauguration address that her first official visit would be to Northern Ireland.

Born in Galway and raised in a social housing estate in Galway city, Connolly was the ninth of 14 children.

She studied for a degree in psychology with German, before taking a job as a clinical psychologist with a County Galway health board.

But she turned down a permanent post and instead began night classes to study for a law degree.

She qualified as a barrister in 1991.

The mother of two was in her early 40s when she entered elected politics in 1999.

Connolly served 17 years as councillor in Galway, including a one-year term as mayor of her native city.

However, she criticised Labour for not supporting her bid to run alongside Higgins in the 2007 general election and she left the party in the aftermath of that dispute.

Standing as an independent, she made two failed attempts to get elected to the Dáil (Irish Parliament) before finally winning a seat in 2016.

Connolly then became the first ever woman elected to chair debates in the Dáil when she secured the post of Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy Speaker) in 2020.

It was a surprise win in which she managed to unite opposition parties against the sitting government's candidate.

She united them again with her presidential bid, securing the support of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and her own former party, Labour.

Outside politics, Connolly is a passionate Irish speaker and a keen sportswoman who ran marathons and played badminton competitively in her younger years.