Irish minister would be ‘very proud’ to attend Armagh service shunned by Michaeal D Higgins

Mr Higgins has faced a barrage of criticism over his decision to stay away from the service next month – marking 100 years since the partition of Ireland and the NI centenary – which has been organised by the four main church leaders.

He claimed the title of the event had been “politicised,” and said it would be inappropriate for the head of state to attend an event that “commemorates partition”.

In a joint statement, the Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist church leaders said: “A Service of Reflection and Hope to mark the centenaries of the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland will take place in Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, on Thursday, 21 October 2021.”

Speaking on the Newstalk radio programme on Wednesday morning, Ms Humphreys said she would have no issue with attending.

The Irish Social Protection Minister, who comes from a Presbyterian background in Co Monaghan, said: “The government has not received an invitation but... if we get an invitation we will certainly consider it.

“Can I just say that if the government decided to send a representative and they did ask me to represent them, I would be very proud to represent the government as I have done in the past at many different events.”

Ms Humphreys added: “So, as I said no invitation as yet and if there is one government will decide.

“On every occasion, I have been more than proud to represent the Irish Government at whatever event I was asked to attend.”

Speaking to the Irish Catholic publication earlier this year, Archbishop Martin said: “I would like to see the 2021 centenary as an opportunity for greater mutual understanding, for opportunities to build further reconciliation and peace.

“I am somewhat disappointed that many of our nationalist and republican political leaders have dismissed the centenary of 2021 altogether because for me I think it’s really important to seize it as a moment to reflect on where we’ve come from.”

READ: Michael D Higgins hits back over NI centenary event

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.