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Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories President elect Catherine Connolly was chatting with newly announced Irish language commissioner for Northern Ireland, Pól Deeds, at the Oireachtas na Gaeilge launch today.Concubhar Ó Liatháin Uachtarán ag an Oireachtas President-elect Connolly in Belfast as she keeps her promise to make her first trip north Bhí Catherine Connolly i láthair ag oscailt oifigiúil Oireachtas na Gaeilge i mBéal Feirste inniu, a céad ócáid poiblí ó toghadh í ag an deireadh seachtaine. 4.15pm, 29 Oct 2025 Share options (Seo alt ónár bhfoireann nua Gaeltachta. Is féidir an bunleagan as Gaeilge a léamh anseo.) AS THE OIREACHTAS na Samhna in Belfast began today, the attention of the crowd at the Waterfront Centre was on a special guest who was not speaking from the platform, the newly elected President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly. The independent Deputy from West Galway was attending the official opening in her role as chair of the Joint Committee on Irish, the Gaeltacht and the Irish-Speaking Community at that other Oireachtas, namely the Houses of the Oireachtas in Dublin. In two weeks’ time she will spend her first night in Áras an Uachtaráin following her inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, 11 November. During her campaign, she had pledged to make her first official trip as President should she be elected a journey to Belfast – and she kept her promise even before being installed officially. At the Waterfront Centre in Belfast, she was surrounded by festival-goers as they all tried to congratulate the newly elected Head of State and took lots of selfies, photographs that will be proudly shown to children and grandchildren in the years to come. On the stage, speaking, was the Gaeltacht Minister, Dara Calleary, who reminded the crowd that he had spoken to Connolly several weeks ago at a meeting of the Joint Committee when they were discussing the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill. “We are discussing the Bill here, I told you then – but you may be the one signing the Bill to become law before the end of the year,” said Minister Calleary. “Now you will be signing the Bill because you are the President-elect – congratulations.” The Minister praised the newly elected President for making the Irish language central to her campaign. When the speeches were over, a band began to play and the music was so lively that you could see that the President-elect was in the mood to dance. There was no time or space for dancing however as she was surrounded by well-wishers, congratulating her. The Oireachtas proceedings in Belfast will continue until Sunday. A full programme of events is available on the website. The Journal’s Gaeltacht initiative is supported by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Advertisement Related Reads Cliabhán Kneecap is Harland & Wolff, Béal Feirste, ag cur fáilte roimh Oireachtas na Gaeilge Belfast, home of Kneecap and Harland & Wolff, to host Oireachtas na Gaeilge festival Irish will be working language in Áras an Uachtaráin during Catherine Connolly's term Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. 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Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion An tOireachtas Catherine Connolly Oireachtas na Gaeilge Uachtarán ag an Oireachtas News in 60 seconds DJ Carey's sentence hearing postponed until Friday after court informed he is in hospital A €60k painting has been on display in RTÉ's offices for decades, but nobody knows who owns it Suspended sentence for man who knocked down elderly man and left the scene 41 mins ago Injury blow Evan Ferguson forced off injured after just seven minutes of Roma's Serie A clash Ray D'Arcy 'had plenty of warning' show could be axed, says RTÉ boss Former soldier jailed for stabbing his childhood best friend nine times in Dublin home IRREGULAR PAYMENTS Pricey artwork and land at Montrose among 'legacy issues' at RTÉ, says Minister At least 300 jobs at risk as Fastway parent company enters receivership DJ Carey's sentence hearing postponed until Friday after court informed he is in hospital Belgium v Ireland, Nations League play-offs At least eleven dead after Netanyahu orders 'powerful' strikes on Gaza despite ceasefire deal more from us Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. 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