Northern Ireland

Simon Harris making first official visit to Derry as Taoiseach

He will deliver the John Hume and Thomas P O’Neill Chair in Peace Lecture at Ulster University’s Magee campus

Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking following a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council at Dublin Castle
Mr Simon Harris who is making his first official visit as Taoiseach to Derry today (Gareth Chaney/PA)

Simon Harris is set to make his first visit to Derry as Taoiseach to deliver the John Hume and Thomas P O’Neill Chair in Peace Lecture at Ulster University’s Magee campus.

He will then visit the site of the new teaching and student services building being developed at the University of Ulster’s Derry campus through Shared Island funding.

During his visit which takes place today, Monday, September 16, Mr Harris will also have a series of engagements with political, civic society and community leaders.

Speaking ahead of his trip to Derry, the Taoiseach said:

“I am looking forward to my first ossicial visit to Derry to see and support the very positive North-South co-operation in the North-West region, and to engage with key stakeholders with a view to further strengthening collablroation.

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“My visit includes a meeting with Mayor Seenoi Barr in the Guildhall, and will also provide an opportunity to celebrate ongoing projects benefitting from Government of Ireland support, including the Wild Atlantic Way / Causeway Coastal Route branding collaboration.

“I am honoured to be delivering the 2024 John Hume and Thomas P O’Neill Chair Lecture in Ulster University’s Derry campus and keen to visit the site there for the new teaching and student service centre being supported by an allocation from the Shared Island Fund.”