President Connolly concludes two-day Donegal visit in Ardara

Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly, concluded her first official visit to Donegal at Ardara Community Childcare. 

President Connolly received a warm welcome from public representatives, such as Charles Ward TD and Councillor Brian Carr, as well as locals lining the streets in support.

Ardara Community Childcare is just one of many buildings in Donegal affected by defective blocks. There, she engaged with staff and children on-site, at the service for children from five months to 12 years. 

President Connolly opened the ATLIC International Creative Jam 2026, bringing young innovators from across Europe to Donegal for a three-day event focused on the future of the Blue Economy.

The event, hosted by Donegal Youth Service as part of the ATLIC – Atlantic InnoBlue Communities project, is the first international youth creative and entrepreneurship jam of its kind to take place in Ireland, focusing specifically on youth-led solutions for coastal and marine communities.

During the launch at the Atlantic Technological University campus in Killybegs, President Connolly met with participants and mentors and took time to engage directly with young people attending the event. She spoke in Irish with young people from Árainn Mhór, showing a particular interest in their experiences of living in island communities and discussing the importance of creating opportunities for young people growing up in coastal and island regions.

President Connolly highlighted the importance of youth participation and innovation, and the need to ensure young people in Atlantic and coastal communities can shape the future of their regions.

Speaking at the launch, Lorraine Thompson, CEO of Donegal Youth Service, said: “Her genuine interest in the young people taking part, particularly those from coastal and island communities, reflects the importance of creating opportunities for young people across regions like ours. We are very grateful to the President for her support and for taking the time to engage directly with participants.”

President Connolly then travelled to an event at Donegal County Council in Lifford. President Connolly said that having spent 17 years as a city councillor in Galway, including a year as mayor of Galway City, she is “never in any doubt as to the importance of local government”. 

“It was an experience that deepened my respect for the work of elected members and indeed the staff of local authorities who work hard to deliver essential services for their local communities,” she said. 

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“Donegal faces significant ecological risks, primarily through increased coastal erosion, flooding, infrastructure damage, and biodiversity loss. 

“Donegal has borne witness to the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, which we know are a direct consequence of climate change. The full implementation of Donegal’s Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 will be essential. 

“The Donegal County Development Plan 2024-2030 recognises the need to improve climate action resilience across the county.  It is approaching seven years since Ireland declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in May 2019 and over 10 years since we agreed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at a global level. The transformative action needed is now even more urgent as we see the reneging of commitments across the globe.”

The visit to the council headquarters was in conjunction with Coiste na Gaeilge and members of Irish language groups in the county were present in the council chamber along with county councillors and council officials. 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.

Later on, President Connolly met with Cara House Family Resource Centre staff, board members and founder Susan McCauley. As well as members from Irish Speaking Groups, the Ukrainian community, the Women’s Shed and children from the after-school clubs. “President Connolly was incredibly warm and humble, taking time for everyone,” Cara House said of the visit. “The president spoke about the importance of Family Resource Centres and expressed her strong support for the valuable work they do. It was a lovely opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day with our President."

President Connolly, at Donegal Travellers Project, listened to staff from the various projects within the organisation. Emma Louise Kerr, the Communications and Intercultural Project Assistant, said: “We were delighted to host Uachtarán na hÉireann.“The Primary Care Team, the Roma Project, and St Gabriel’s Preschool as they described the tremendous work they do around the county, the challenges they face, and the legislative changes and continued effort needed to ensure equity and inclusion for Travellers, Roma, and all minority ethnic communities in the county and nationally.”

In attendance were children from DTPs ‘Homework Club’, staff, Board of Management members, and invited affiliates, including Senator Eileen Flynn. Vocal performances were done by Mary Ward and Nadia Volodyna. Key speakers included staff team leads, Primary Care Coordinator Ann Friel, Manager Siobhan McLaughlin, and Chairperson of the Board of Management David Friel. 

This is Connolly’s first visit as Uachtarán na hÉireann, though she met with families affected by the Creeslough tragedy and homeowners impacted by the defective blocks crisis during her campaign.  President Connolly was inaugurated as the 10th Uachtarán na hÉireann at Dublin Castle on November 11, 2025. She had a landslide victory, taking 63% of the votes cast, the highest of any presidential election and claimimg 75% of the vote in the Donegal constituency.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme