Britain GAA Chairperson attended the first St Patricks Day reception hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street this week.
Sean Hopkins, Chairperson of Britain GAA stated that “it was an honour to represent all the Gaels here in Britain for the first St Patricks Day reception hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the strengthened relationship between the UK and Ireland will provide a level reassurance for citizens in both countries in a more volatile world.
Speaking in Downing Street, he said that pursuing stronger relations with Ireland was both a personal and political objective of his.
Mr Starmer was speaking during the first St Patrick’s Day reception in Downing Street.
Asked if it would be the start of an annual tradition, Mr Starmer replied: “I jolly well hope so,” adding, “I’m really pleased that we’ve hosted the very first of these St Patrick’s Day celebrations here in Downing Street, which is, of course, where I work.
“It’s also my home, the centre of the government.”
Mr Starmer was asked if he hoped Ireland could soon end its interstate case against the UK regarding the Northern Ireland Legacy Act.
He said that there have been some “really constructive discussions”.
Mr Starmer said that he hoped the “deepening, increasingly better relationship” will help on a number of fronts, “including in relation to legacy issues”.
Among the attendees at tonight’s event were Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee, athletes Daniel and Nathan Wiffen and television presenter Dermot O’Leary, who spoke of what Irish identity meant to him.
He said: “It’s a very different upbringing, being brought up as Irish over here, or any second-generation identity.
“I always say that I’m Irish but not from Ireland, which is a very unique way of being brought up with an identity, but it’s never been an issue for me, never been a problem.
“I’ve never felt anything else but Irish to be honest with you. Not in a kind of wrap myself in a flag and go to bed way.
“I know my history, I know my family, I love the country, but I also love living here and I don’t see why those two can’t live quite happily next to each other.”
Speaking ahead of the event, Ireland’s Ambassador to Great Britain Martin Fraser said it was a “wonderful celebration of Irishness and of the friendship between Britain and Ireland”.
He added that it was a “wonderful gesture for the prime minister to bring us all here tonight to celebrate St Patrick’s Day”.
