President Connolly Visits Leeds, Praises Irish Nurses

Why this is here: By the 1960s, approximately 30,000 Irish-born nurses were employed by the National Health Service, constituting one in eight of the total nursing staff.

President Catherine Connolly concluded her first official visit to Britain in Leeds, England, revisiting the city where she earned a Masters degree. She spent time at the University of Leeds, viewing Irish-connected artefacts like a first edition of Dracula and miniature books crafted by the Brontë sisters.

At the Leeds Irish Centre, President Connolly acknowledged the significant contributions of Irish emigrants to Britain. She specifically praised Irish nurses who staffed the UK’s National Health Service, noting about 30,000 Irish-born nurses worked within the NHS by the 1960s. This represented roughly one in eight of the entire nursing workforce at that time.

Community members expressed appreciation for the visit, highlighting its importance for recognizing both first and second-generation Irish people. President Connolly noted she hadn’t visited the Irish Centre as a student, but was pleased to do so now. Further engagement with the Irish diaspora remains an ongoing priority for the presidential office.