Irish President Catherine Connolly has called for the decolonisation of minds, not just land and law, during a speech at the Leeds Irish Centre on the final day of her three-day official visit to England.
Addressing the Irish Community
The Galway politician told members of the Irish community in West Yorkshire that decolonisation involved 'reclaiming confidence in our culture, our language, our identity' after 'centuries of being told that what was Irish was lesser'.
Her visit to England also included engagements in London, where she met with various groups. At the University of Leeds, she spoke with students involved in the Irish Dance Society and the Gaelic football team.
Family Ties to Current Events
Ms Connolly's trip came as her sister, Dr Margaret Connolly, was reportedly detained by Israeli authorities while participating in a flotilla. Organisers said at least 12 Irish citizens were among those detained, along with hundreds from other countries.
Historical Reflections
During her address, the President highlighted the story of Michael Davitt, a republican activist who came to England at the age of four in the 1850s after his family was evicted from their cottage in County Mayo. She noted that Davitt lost an arm at age 11 in a factory, which propelled him into political activism that 'changed the landscape and the mindscape in Ireland'.
'The decolonisation of Ireland was not just about land and law, it was about the decolonisation of our minds as well,' Ms Connolly said.
She praised the Irish diaspora for keeping Irish music and culture 'alive' during times when it was 'undervalued at home'.
