Irish President Catherine Connolly launches four-day state visit to Scotland

President Catherine Connolly kicked off a four-day state visit to Scotland with a meeting at Bute House in Edinburgh alongside First Minister Mr Swinney, who first welcomed her after her inauguration in Dublin. The program will see her travel to Glasgow, Coatbridge and the Isle of Skye, including a stop at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the national Gaelic language and culture centre. She is slated to receive an honorary fellowship from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and to review a collaborative initiative between the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Irish Academy that supports deaf victims of gender-based violence in rural areas.

Both officials stressed the deep historical friendship, shared language and cultural ties that have linked Ireland and Scotland for centuries. The visit follows Connolly’s recent trips to London, Leeds and Northern Ireland, and aims to deepen bilateral cooperation on peace, equality and international solidarity.