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Minister Norma Foley with London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
MINISTER for Education Norma Foley TD has completed a six-day visit to Scotland, Wales and England as part of the Government’s series of St. Patrick’s Day visits.
She marched in the St Patrick’s Day parade in London and addressed the Irish Festival at Trafalgar Square. Up to 100,000 people attended the celebrations.
Minister Foley said: “I’ve travelled over the last number of days to Edinburgh, Cardiff, Huddersfield, Manchester and London. It has been a positive and uplifting experience. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
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Minister Foley held a meeting with Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, who marched in the parade alongside her.
“70 million people worldwide claim Irish heritage, and an estimated six million people in Britain have at least one Irish grandparent. It has been humbling to meet Irish people who have contributed so positively to the communities in which they now live, but also keep their connectedness with Ireland.”
Minister Norma Foley with Sean Scally of Kerry County Council and Cllr Johnnie Wall.
Minister Foley met with Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills of Scotland Jenny Gilruth in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and Welsh Minister for Education Jeremy Miles in the Senedd (the Welsh Parliament) in Cardiff.
She also met the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
Minister Norma Foley with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
Minister Foley visited Blackhall Primary School in Edinburgh where she met with students during a Gaelic football PE lesson.
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Minister Norma Foley with Shay Given.
In Cardiff, Minister Foley met with community organisations who create opportunities for people to come together through the mediums of the Irish and Welsh languages.
While in the Manchester area, Minister Foley joined with Irish-born Mayor of Kirklees Cahal Burke at Huddersfield Town Hall for the raising of an Irish flag.
She then travelled to the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester for a music performance for school children organised by OneEducation, the Irish Youth Foundation and the Manchester Irish Education Group.
Minister Norma Foley with Tomás Mulcahy.
The visit featured a number of meetings with representatives of business groups, including the Tourism Ireland Glasgow Office and Scottish tour operators in Edinburgh, and Enterprise Ireland roundtable meetings on technology enabling engagement and participation in schools.
Ministet Norma Foley with Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education Jenny Gilruth.
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