Representatives from Leeds University Union had the privilege of meeting the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, on her first return to Leeds since graduating with a MSc in Clinical Psychology in 1981.
President Connolly’s return formed part of her first official visit to England since being elected as the 10th President of Ireland in November 2025.
President Connolly enjoyed a tour of the campus, interacting with staff from the University of Leeds, before meeting LUU Irish Dancing Society’s incoming President Freya McCaughley and committee member Rosie O’Halon, as well as Leeds University Union Sports Lead Matty Walsh.
Freya said: ‘It was a really lovely experience meeting the Irish President.
“It gave us the opportunity to explain what we do at Irish dancing here in Leeds and how we try to spread Irish culture throughout the University too.”
LUU Sports Lead Matty Walsh was proud to represent his Irish heritage and to champion the positive impact of LUU’s clubs and societies with President Connolly.
Matty said:“It was both an honour and a pleasure to meet the President and to speak with her about Irish influence in Leeds and within both university and local communities.”
“Although the President had many formal engagements to attend and many people to see, you could tell that she took a genuine interest in our students and how they are helping to spotlight Irish Culture in the diaspora.
“Our student leaders give so much of their time and effort opening doors so that others might enrich their student experience through experiencing Irish culture, so it’s amazing to see their contributions being acknowledged at the very highest level.”
