President Connolly’s Derry Visit Sparks Political Exchange
Derry, Northern Ireland – A visit by Irish President Catherine Connolly to Derry/Londonderry has led to a direct exchange with a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Member of Parliament, highlighting ongoing political tensions in Northern Ireland. The incident occurred during Connolly’s three-day official visit, as reported on February 6, 2026.
During an interaction following an address at the Guildhall on Thursday, February 5, 2026, DUP MP Gregory Campbell told President Connolly, “You’re in our country.” He also cautioned against “rewriting the past,” according to reports from RTÉ and the Irish News.
President Connolly responded by stating she was “here to listen” and emphasized the importance of respect, adding, “at the end of the day we’re human beings and we have to have respect.” She reportedly acknowledged that rewriting history “would be… a big mistake,” agreeing with Campbell’s interjection on the matter.
Campbell, referencing a debate he was scheduled to attend in Dublin, countered with, “Tonight I’m going to your country.” He further stated, “We’re not leaving the United Kingdom, not now or at anytime in the future, so I think it’s better if we try and ensure no-one rewrites the past as we all build for the future.”
The exchange took place after President Connolly addressed the Guildhall, where she expressed gratitude to the people of Derry for demonstrating “the path from conflict to peace.” She also noted that “justice is still awaited” by the survivors and families of victims of Bloody Sunday, according to the Irish News.
Campbell stated his intention to “make our acquaintance to try and build on that,” and later told reporters he “warmly welcomed her to this part of the United Kingdom” and “always welcomes visitors, especially visitors from other countries.”
President Connolly is scheduled to visit the Siege Museum later on Friday, February 6, 2026, a site commemorating the 1689 Siege of Derry, when Protestant inhabitants defended the walled city against forces of Catholic King James II.
The visit comes amid a broader context of complex Irish-Northern Irish relations, rooted in centuries of colonial history and political division. The partition of Ireland in 1921 and the subsequent period of conflict known as The Troubles have left a legacy of sectarianism and nationalist aspirations. While the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 largely ended the violence, fundamental questions of national identity and sovereignty remain.
According to the Irish Examiner, President Connolly’s visit represents a significant gesture of reconciliation and a commitment to fostering closer relations between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, Campbell’s comments serve as a reminder of the enduring divisions that persist.
In a separate incident during her visit, President Connolly reportedly apologized to Gregory Campbell after he took offense to her use of the word “Derry” in her speeches at the Guildhall, as reported by the BBC.
