President of Ireland’s Visit to Coatbridge

That the Parliament welcomes the official visit to Scotland by Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Catherine Connolly, and her visit to St Patrick’s Primary School in Coatbridge on 17 September 2026; recognises the significance of the visit in celebrating the longstanding cultural, community and family links between Ireland and Scotland; commends the pupils of St Patrick’s Primary School, together with pupils from St Augustine’s, St Bartholomew’s and St Mary’s primary schools, for the warm welcome that they gave to President Connolly through Gaelic football, Irish dancing, singing and other displays of Irish culture; congratulates the pupils and staff for representing their schools with such enthusiasm, confidence and pride; recognises the work of school staff, parents and the wider school community in promoting and celebrating Coatbridge’s rich Irish heritage; acknowledges the generations of Irish people who made Coatbridge and Scotland their home and the significant contribution that the Irish community has made to the social, cultural and civic life of Scotland; notes that President Connolly also met with members of the Coatbridge Irish diaspora community in St Patrick’s Parish hall; commends the Coatbridge Irish Heritage Committee for its work in preserving and celebrating the history, heritage and traditions of the local Irish community; notes President Connolly’s remarks on the strong ties of friendship, culture and language between Ireland and Scotland and on the interwoven nature of Irish and Scottish identities, and celebrates the enduring friendship between the people of Ireland and Scotland and the important role that schools, families and community organisations play in passing this shared heritage on to future generations.