On the occasion of the State Visit by the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins
In the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Michael of Kent
the Ambassador of Ireland Daniel Mulhall and Greta Mulhall
request the pleasure of the company of
Dr Ian Adamson OBE
‘Ceiliúradh’ (Celebration)
The state visit by Irish President Michael D. Higgins to Britain this week – the first ever by an Irish head of state – is being seen as an historic landmark in relationships.President Higgins and his wife, Sabina, were formally greeted by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on Tuesday and were driven by horse drawn carriage to Windsor Castle for a ceremonial welcome. The visit reached a crescendo tonight with ‘Ceiliúradh’. Helen Brooker and I attended this event. We were invited as Chair of the Ullans Academy and the Somme Association respectively, by the Irish Ambassador in London, on behalf of Michael D Higgins. I think this was a great honour for us to represent the Ullans Academy and recognition of the work put into our events. Helen has worked hard for the Academy, as well as helping me restore my original Pretani business, so it will be a fitting finale for her as Chair.
President Higgins hails ‘memorable’ State visit
President Michael D Higgins has hailed his “memorable” historic State visit to the UK as “so positive, so uplifting and so hopeful”. He took to the Royal Albert Hall stage after the concert in his honour and said: “On a night like this it is great to be Irish.” He added it was “even better” to share it with “our friends in Britain”. President Higgins was guest of honour at the concert on the penultimate day of the State visit.
The President and his wife, Sabina, were joined by Prince and Princess Michael of Kent for the concert .
Among the performers were Imelda May, Paul Brady, Glen Hansard and The Gloaming. Also taking part was actress Fiona Shaw, broadcasters Dermot O’Leary and Olivia O’Leary, and author Joseph O’Connor.
Around half of the 5,000 tickets for the event, priced at £10, sold out in four hours when they went on sale.
Other attendees were invited guests, including political, business, cultural and Irish community contacts.
Proceeds from the ticket sales are being donated to the Irish Youth Foundation, to be used in support of Irish cultural projects in Britain. In his speech, President Higgins thanked the Irish people who had made Britain their home and contributed to its development. He said that the performances at the concert show “how deeply interwoven are the wider cultures of these islands, and how they have influenced and enriched each other.” Speaking to the diaspora, he said: “You remain a cherished member of the Irish family.” The four-day State visit comes to an end tomorrow.