Date: 11 Mar 2026
An tUachtarán Catherine Connolly visits Donegal County Council
The Council Chamber of Donegal County Council in Lifford was filled to capacity on Tuesday morning as An tUachtarán, Catherine Connolly made an official visit to Donegal County Council.
This visit arose following an invitation extended to An tUachtarán by Coiste na Gaeilge, Donegal County Council, at the end of last year, following her election.
Among those present were the Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, Directors and Elected Members, members of Coiste na Gaeilge, Rannóg na Gaeilge, Head of the Regional Office, Údarás na Gaeltachta Michéal Mac Giolla Easbuig, Language Planning Officers in the county, schoolchildren and representatives from Irish language community groups across the county.
The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Paul Canning welcomed An tUachtarán to the Council and to the county, "It is a pleasure to welcome you here to the Council Chamber and to Donegal. I want to wish you every success in your term of office, I think you will do a tremendous job. I really appreciate on behalf of the people of Donegal your visit here today.”
Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, John G. McLaughlin, said, "We are delighted and honoured that you are visiting us so early in your term as our President. We are a Gaeltacht County, and I know you have a great love and support the Irish language and our Islands. I join here with the Cathaoirleach to say that the Council will work with you in your Office as President of Ireland in any way possible.”
In her oration, An tUachtarán spoke about the serious challenges facing the county, country and indeed worldwide, but highlighted the strength and resilience of the people of our communities. She acknowledged the promotion of the Irish language throughout the county but stressed that it must also be preserved. “It’s encouraging to see our beautiful language flourish, not just in Donegal, but throughout the country. The Irish language must be nurtured and preserved as a central part of our identity and culture. We will do our best by working together for the benefit of the Irish language.” She promised to return to the county again to visit the Gaeltacht areas and the islands.
Cathaoirleach Choiste na Gaeilge, Donegal County Council, an Clr. Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig stressed that An tUachtarán’s visit was significant and noted that An tUachtarán had shown great commitment to the county during her Presidential campaign. He thanked and praised the community groups from Toraigh to Árainn Mhór, from Gleann Cholm Cille to Inis Eoghain, from An Ghaeltacht Láir to An Ghaeltacht Ard and Gaeltacht an Iarthuaiscirt, who were present and who work to ensure that the Irish language is kept alive. He commended Coiste na Gaeilge and acknowledged its development in recent years. “We used to meet in a small, dark room but we changed that. We brought the Coiste out into the community and that’s how it will remain going forward. As Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach of Coiste na Gaeilge, Cllr. Martin Scanlon and I would like to ensure that we have a strong connection with Áras an Uachtaráin – so that we may promote the Irish language within our Coiste and our county as a whole.”
Leas-Chathaoirleach Choiste na Gaeilge, Cllr. Martin Scanlon, spoke about the current pressure the Irish language faces and acknowledged An tUachtarán’s commitment to the language "Everyone in this room is aware of the pressure the Irish language is facing but we also know how important it is to have someone like yourself, a Uachtaráin, in Áras an Uachtaráin, who puts the Irish language to the forefront in everything you do."
The Council presented An tUachtarán with a book of coloured images and a book of black and white images of Donegal, as well as a brooch. Clíona Ní Ghallachóir performed a version of the song ‘An Mhaighdean Mhara’ and she and Róise Ní Laifeartaigh presented An tUachtarán with two pieces of McNutts’ tweed, Na Dúnaibh, on behalf of Coiste na Gaeilge.
