Menu
16/09/2021
Irish President Turns Down Invite To Mark NI Centenary
The DUP has asked the Irish President Michael D Higgins if he is "officially snubbing" Northern Ireland's centenary.
Strangford MLA Peter Weir has written to the Irish President asking if his office is joining the SDLP and SF in boycotting events which mark NI's centenary.
Mr Weir said: "The Republic of Ireland's President has turned down an invitation to a service in Armagh marking the centenary of Northern Ireland. I have written to the Irish President asking if his office is officially snubbing all events marking this milestone in the decade of centenaries.
"If President Higgins is officially snubbing NI Centenary events, I have urged him to think again. This island has a been living through a decade of centenary milestones. At every stage unionism has engaged positively and sought to use such events to advance reconciliation and peace.
"It is narrowminded and deeply disappointing that Sinn Fein and the SDLP have vetoed almost every publicly funded initiative to mark Northern Ireland's centenary. They even vetoed the placement of a centenary stone in Parliament Buildings even though it was being gifted by unionist MLAs.
"For such high office in the Republic of Ireland to join Sinn Fein and the SDLP in boycotting centenary events speaks volumes about that country's commitment to reconciliation and progress."
Strangford MLA Peter Weir has written to the Irish President asking if his office is joining the SDLP and SF in boycotting events which mark NI's centenary.
Mr Weir said: "The Republic of Ireland's President has turned down an invitation to a service in Armagh marking the centenary of Northern Ireland. I have written to the Irish President asking if his office is officially snubbing all events marking this milestone in the decade of centenaries.
"If President Higgins is officially snubbing NI Centenary events, I have urged him to think again. This island has a been living through a decade of centenary milestones. At every stage unionism has engaged positively and sought to use such events to advance reconciliation and peace.
"It is narrowminded and deeply disappointing that Sinn Fein and the SDLP have vetoed almost every publicly funded initiative to mark Northern Ireland's centenary. They even vetoed the placement of a centenary stone in Parliament Buildings even though it was being gifted by unionist MLAs.
"For such high office in the Republic of Ireland to join Sinn Fein and the SDLP in boycotting centenary events speaks volumes about that country's commitment to reconciliation and progress."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 April 2016
Irish President Pulls Out Of Belfast Centenary Dinner
Irish President Michael D Higgins has pulled out of attending a centenary dinner at the City Hall In Belfast on 08 April. An agreement was made that the signing of the Ulster Covenant, the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme would all be commemorated with dinners.
Irish President Pulls Out Of Belfast Centenary Dinner
Irish President Michael D Higgins has pulled out of attending a centenary dinner at the City Hall In Belfast on 08 April. An agreement was made that the signing of the Ulster Covenant, the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme would all be commemorated with dinners.
26 April 2002
Trimble questions Republican's credibility
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has taken a tough stance following a meeting on Friday morning between a delegation from the UUP and Sinn Féin. Mr Trimble warned that it will not be possible to maintain the current political détente unless Republicans take steps to restore their credibility.
Trimble questions Republican's credibility
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has taken a tough stance following a meeting on Friday morning between a delegation from the UUP and Sinn Féin. Mr Trimble warned that it will not be possible to maintain the current political détente unless Republicans take steps to restore their credibility.
16 April 2012
Titanic Centenary Events Remember Lives Lost
A series of events were held over the weekend to commemorate the 1,500 men, women and children who lost their lives when the Titanic sank on 15 April 1912. To mark the centenary of the sinking a service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for the Titanic was held in St Anne’s Cathedral and a Requiem Mass was held in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast.
Titanic Centenary Events Remember Lives Lost
A series of events were held over the weekend to commemorate the 1,500 men, women and children who lost their lives when the Titanic sank on 15 April 1912. To mark the centenary of the sinking a service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for the Titanic was held in St Anne’s Cathedral and a Requiem Mass was held in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast.
14 March 2007
Paisley and Adams discuss deals
The DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams have met with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown in London today. The separate meetings follow the Northern Ireland Assembly elections last week that saw the DUP and Sinn Fein romp home as the two largest parties in the suspended NI Assembly.
Paisley and Adams discuss deals
The DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams have met with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown in London today. The separate meetings follow the Northern Ireland Assembly elections last week that saw the DUP and Sinn Fein romp home as the two largest parties in the suspended NI Assembly.
04 February 2002
Trimble and Durkan pay respects to World Trade Centre victims
Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan have paid their respects to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York during a wreath-laying ceremony at Ground Zero. The first and deputy first ministers were on the second day of a week-long visit to the US, and laid the wreath on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.
Trimble and Durkan pay respects to World Trade Centre victims
Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan have paid their respects to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York during a wreath-laying ceremony at Ground Zero. The first and deputy first ministers were on the second day of a week-long visit to the US, and laid the wreath on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
