Irish president says King 'graciously accepted' state visit invitation to Ireland

The King has accepted an invitation of a state visit to Ireland during a meeting at Buckingham Palace on Monday, the Irish president has said.

The two heads of state met on the first day of President Catherine Connolly's three-day official visit to London and Leeds.

At the meeting, Connolly invited the King to make a state visit to Ireland and she said he has "graciously accepted".

It would be the second state visit by a British monarch to Ireland since independence.

Details of the state visit will be worked out in consultation with the two governments.

Her trip began on Monday with a visit to the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, London, where she said some Irish people were leaving Ireland because of a lack of housing.

She also met those participating in an Irish language class, and enjoyed some musical and dance performances.

It is Connolly's first official visit to Great Britain since her inauguration in November, when she spoke about her commitment to engaging with the Irish diaspora.

She said there is "hardly a sector" of British life that has not been influenced by the Irish.

Speaking at the cultural centre, Connolly said: "Historically, modern-day immigration was driven by economic factors, with large numbers leaving Ireland for London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and elsewhere.

"This occurred in waves and we know that from the 19th century and the 20th Century, and unfortunately today as well, we have people leaving our shores for various reasons, but some of them for lack of housing."

"The Irish contribution to British society is as diverse as can be imagined," she added.

"From the arts and culture, to healthcare, education, construction and infrastructure, as well as professional, scientific and technical services."

The Irish ambassador to Britain, Martin Fraser, will host a reception on Monday evening in honour of President Connolly and her husband, Brian McEnery, at the Irish embassy in London.

The visit will continue on Tuesday when the president visits the Chelsea Flower Show and the London Irish Centre in Camden.

It will conclude on Wednesday with visits to Leeds University and Leeds Irish Centre.

President Connolly will be briefed on the work of the Irish Health Centre in Leeds and will also meet representatives of other Irish centres in the region.

It is the third official visit the president has undertaken since commencing her term of office, following visits to Northern Ireland and Spain.