PRESIDENT CATHERINE CONNOLLY got quizzed on global affairs by young activists on the final day of her visit to Northern Ireland.

According to the young people who spoke to the president, their time with Connolly ranged from how Ireland “deals with threats” from Russia and the US, to Ireland’s position on the civil war in Sudan.

Connolly had said in her inaugural address to meet with people from all communities and tradition, with her three days spent in the North viewed as fulfilling that commitment.

Connolly completed her three-day visit in Northern Ireland’s second city, meeting young people from both sides of the border.

The young people were taking part in a number of Youth Action Northern Ireland projects, and engaging with St Columb’s Park House Peace and Reconciliation Centre itself.

They also included those taking part in the cross-community REACH Across organisation for teenagers, the North West Islamic Association, Donegal Youth Services and a school group from Raphoe in Co Donegal.

Another youngster, Abdelwahab Elebaid, added that she believed “not a lot of countries would have their presidents speak with young people” as Connolly had done in Derry today.

“I asked a couple of questions about Irish foreign affairs, Ireland’s stance on the civil war going on in Sudan,” Elebaid said, adding that the president had said she was “horrified by the genocide” in the African country.

“I also asked how Ireland deals with threats from outside, Russia, China, and now increasingly America. She went into a lot of detail.

“It was admirable of her to meet with young people.”

Catherine Connolly, was visiting St Columb’s Park House Peace and Reconciliation Centre in Derry. Liam McBurney / PA Liam McBurney / PA / PA

Zena Abdelrahman and Cadi Abousamra were among the young people who spoke with Connolly.

Abdelrahman loved meeting the president, although admitted she had been nervous.

“She was really nice, I was talking to her and asking her what role do young people have in shaping Ireland’s future, and she said that young people have a really important role, she likes how young people are starting to speak up about issues going on globally,” she said.

“She likes young activists such as Greta Thunberg, and how everyone is speaking about what is going on such as climate change, immigration and diversity.”

Abousamra said she is a “big fan” of Connolly’s work.

“It was very refreshing to see a president take in what young people had to say, and actually listen attentively,” she said.

“I have feeling that she is going to be a good president.”

Dominic Bonner, youth co-ordinator at Youth Action NI, said they were delighted by the engagement with Connolly.

“When we heard the President was coming here today, we were delighted that she invited us to come and spend good-quality time,” he said.

“The talk of today was about continuing partnership, continuing to work together to meet the needs of young people, to continue to keep fighting the battle. We’ve done extremely good work around peace and reconciliation, we have to continue that.”

Encounter with DUP during visit

Connolly was formally welcomed by First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly at Stormont Castle in Belfast on the first day of her visit on Wednesday.

She went on to make addresses at the Ulster University campus in Belfast, and the Guildhall in Derry, as well as visiting a number of community projects across both cities.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell warned the President against “rewriting the past” during her visit to Derry yesterday, telling Connolly that she was in “our country”.

She went on to tour the Siege Museum, visit An Culturlann and the Nerve Centre, as well as the Museum of Free Derry, where she met relatives of victims of Bloody Sunday.