Taoiseach Micheál Martin holds reception with the Society
The Irish Society was delighted to have been invited to a private drinks reception with Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D., Prime Minister of Ireland.
The Taoiseach was hosted by The University of Oxford, on the Wednesday November 2nd 2022, to deliver the University’s annual public lecture.
Created in 1981, following an offer by George John Romanes of Christ Church to fund an annual lecture, the Romanes Lecture highlights esteemed public figures from the arts, science or literary spheres. Previous speakers have included Winston Churchill (1930), Mary Robinson (1977) and Prime Minister Tony Blair (1999).
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The event was covered by The Oxford Student newspaper, which provides a more detailed account of the event.
Statements made to the press by Committee representatives pertaining to the event can be found below.
Social Secretary Susanna Elliott:
“Getting invited to a drinks reception with the Taoiseach felt surreal. Having seen him so often on TV meant it was so exciting to listen to him in person especially when we were personally invited to come and meet him! He was so lovely and very down to earth and made us feel a lot less intimidated about meeting him. I know I’m speaking for all members of the Irish Society Committee when I say that it was an honour to have been invited to this special event.”
President Nicole Reid:
“We were incredibly grateful to our Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who gave the Irish Society at Oxford a personal meet and greet with him as part of his trip to Oxford to speak at this year’s Romanes Lecture, held at the illustrious Sheldonian Theatre. Our Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, was exceptionally generous with his time, and we had a very engaging and cordial evening with him, where the Irish Society committee members were able to meaningfully converse with the Taoiseach on all matters politics. As ever, it is a credit to our nation that we have such an accomplished statesman, our Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who is erudite and exceptionally well-versed in all political spheres. From a personal point of view, I, Nicole Reid, as the President of the Irish Society, was personally thankful to the Taoiseach and his team who carved out a significant proportion of his evening to spend time with the Oxford Irish Society and its members. For a world leader who is exceptionally busy, it is indicative of the value he places on the young Irish diaspora abroad. Our conversations were wide ranging, covering a vast array of topics, pertaining to Ireland, economics, the Irish diaspora abroad and one of the major assets Ireland has always possessed, being that of a well-informed and educated youth.”
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Below is a photo of the committee with the Taoiseach.
