2010 News
- News Archive
Irish Ambassador Bobby McDonagh (left) with Dr Arthur Naylor
Irish Ambassador Visits St Mary's
His Excellency Bobby McDonagh has paid his first visit to St Mary’s University College, Twickenham, during which he conducted a seminar on Ireland and Anglo-Irish relations.
Addressing staff and students at the University College, the Ambassador emphasised his belief that relations between the two countries – whether on a bi-lateral basis, on the European Union or on Northern Ireland – were the best they had ever been.
He stressed both the historical and contemporary inter-connectedness between both Ireland and Britain, specifically in the fields of popular culture, the arts and sport. Mr McDonagh paid tribute to the role that educational institutions such as St Mary’s play in this field, particularly in its Irish Studies degree course, which the Irish Government partially funds.
After a welcome by the Principal, Dr Arthur Naylor, Mr McDonagh was taken on a tour of the campus before participating in an Irish Studies seminar as part of the 'Media and Popular Culture in Ireland' course. He was then interviewed at length by St Mary’s Student Radio on issues as diverse as Northern Ireland, European integration and the prospects of the Irish rugby team.
Director of Irish Studies at St Mary’s University College, Dr Ivan Gibbons, said “We are particularly pleased that Mr McDonagh recognised the pivotal role that the Irish Studies degree course here at St Mary’s had in encouraging and stimulating positive relationships between Ireland and Britain, and we welcome the Irish government’s continued commitment to Irish Studies at St Mary’s."
Bobby McDonagh being interviewed on SMUC Radio
