The President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, was entertained by pupils from Coatbridge primary schools at a special event held at St Patrick’s Primary School as part of an official four-day visit to Scotland.
Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly was accompanied by her husband, Brian McEnery, during the visit to the school on Thursday, 17 September.
She was welcomed to the school by Lady Susan Haughey CBE the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire and Provost Kenneth Duffy.
The hour-long visit saw President Connolly enjoy a display of Irish culture from pupils, including a Gaelic football display, songs from the school choir and Irish dancing.
Pupils from nearby St Augustine’s, St Bartholomew’s and St Mary’s primary schools also took part in the celebrations.
Jacqueline Hagerty, Head Teacher of St Patrick’s Primary School, said: “It was an immense honour and a very proud moment for me to welcome President Catherine Connolly to our school and to share with her the rich cultural links between Ireland and the town of Coatbridge.
“With my own strong Irish identity, this visit held a particularly special significance for me personally. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the heritage, culture and connections that are such an important part of our school community.
“I could not be prouder of our pupils, who represented our school with such enthusiasm, confidence and pride, and of the wider school community for embracing this very special occasion.
“It was a memorable experience that I hope will inspire our pupils and leave them with a lasting sense of pride in who they are, where they come from and the diverse community they are part of.”
Pupil Adaline Stevenson added: “It was a really special experience to sing a solo for President Connolly. I was nervous at first, but I felt proud when I stood up and sang with the choir.
“It was amazing to perform for her and to be part of such an important visit. I loved seeing how our Scottish and Irish cultures could come together, and I will remember the day for a very long time.”
In a statement, President Connolly said: “I am very pleased to have the opportunity of making an Official Visit to Scotland. Ireland and Scotland are bound by strong ties of friendship, culture and language, with people moving between our countries for centuries.
“The positive, lasting impact made by the Irish community in Coatbridge, and indeed across Scotland, shines a light on the many ways in which immigrant communities add to their new homes.
“At a time when the dominant narrative seeks to impose distinctions on the basis of “them” and “us”, restricting and impoverishing our language and thought process, the brave immigrants who arrived all those years ago are a powerful example to us.
“They have left a legacy which honours the nuances of their Irish and Scottish identities, while recognising that these identities are interwoven on so many levels.
“It was a pleasure to meet with the pupils and staff of St Patrick’s Primary School, and to watch a demonstration of their GAA training, dancing and singing, as well as having the opportunity for a discussion with them.”
President Connolly’s visit to St Patrick’s Primary School in Coatbridge celebrated the school’s strong connections to Irish culture and traditions.
Situated in the heart of Coatbridge, the school has strong and long-standing links with the local Irish community.
The school works hard to promote and celebrate these cultural links through its values, traditions and community partnerships.