President Michael D Higgins visits Fermanagh

President Higgins made the comments while speaking at an all-island Women’s Forum held at the Lough Erne Resort, Co. Fermanagh, last Thursday, February 17, organised by the forum and the National Women’s Council of Ireland.

President Higgins described peacebuilding, and specifically the role of women, as something that both he and his wife, Sabina, feel passionately about.

He said peace was “more than the absence of fighting”, and expressed disappointment at a lack of progress on some of the aspirations of the Good Friday Agreement.

Emphasising the importance of the role of women in peacebuilding, he quoted one of the event organisers, Emma De Souza, pointing out how the former Northern Ireland Women's Coalition party had raised key issues such as education, mixed housing, the reintegration of political prisoners, specific language on victims’ rights, and the formation of the Civic Forum during its existence.

Speaking on education, President Higgins said 93 per cent of schools in Northern Ireland “remain segregated”, adding that young people are also segregated by the languages they speak by and the sports they play, “where some schools offer Gaelic football and hurling, others provide rugby or cricket, usually exclusively”.

Continuing, he added: “Integrated education is not just needed – it is overwhelmingly wanted. Surely this is a matter on which we can all unite?

"I believe strongly that integrated education is a key element to a successful, inclusive and harmonious future in Northern Ireland.”

Following his attendance at the Women’s Forum, Friday saw President Higgins visit two organisations based in Enniskillen: Waterways Ireland, and the Inniskilling Museum, accompanied by his wife.

President Higgins and his wife were treated to a display of a wealth of waterways-related artefacts from Waterways Ireland’s archive when he visited the all-island body’s headquarters.

They were briefed on the organisation’s work by the body's Chief Executive, John McDonagh, and also met with a number of personnel.

Waterways Ireland archivist Nuala Reilly also gave President Higgins and Mrs. Higgins a brief history of each artefact.

Praising the all-island body, President Higgins said: “Waterways Ireland is succeeding in its quest to reawaken Ireland’s waterways – they are truly a symbol of vitality in our shared culture, and have become more appreciated in recent years.

"It was gratifying to play a part in this rejuvenation, as minister with responsibility for our inland waterways in the mid-1990s, and more recently, as President of Ireland.”

Mr. McDonagh added: “On behalf of Waterways Ireland, I was honoured to welcome the President and Mrs. Sabina Higgins to our headquarters today.

"President Higgins, when Minister of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands, set out a vision for the future of the inland waterways – one that preserved and enhanced their heritage and culture.

"I wish to thank the President for his enduring support and passion for the waterways.”

As part of his visit to Waterways Ireland, President Higgins was presented with a piece of art by local artist Frances Morris.

He and his wife then concluded their business in Fermanagh with a visit to the Inniskillings Musuem.

A spokesperson for the musuem said: “The Inniskillings Museum was honoured to welcome the President of Ireland and his wife for a tour of its museum galleries.

“The museum is privileged to be housed in the keep at Enniskillen Castle, but has been closed to the public for exactly 700 days since the first pandemic lockdown in March, 2020.

“Fortunately, the museum is currently preparing to reopen again in March, and is looking forward to welcoming visitors back once more to view its rich collection, which reveal the story of men who proudly wore a castle on their badge with distinction.”

As part of his visit to the museum, President Higgins also admired artefacts and was presented with a painting of the watergate at Enniskillen Castle.