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Michael D Higgins is to open the new James Connolly Visitor Centre, Áras Uí Chonghaile, in West Belfast on Friday.

The Irish President will deliver a speech at the new Falls Road centre after a James Connolly pageant parade.

Harry Connolly, Director of Fáilte Feirste Thiar, said: “We are honoured and delighted that President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, will officially open Áras Uí Chonghaile, the fantastic new James Connolly visitor centre, on Good Friday.

“James Connolly lived on the Falls Road just yards away from the location of the new visitor centre. He was a man of formidable ideas and remarkable vision. Over 100 years after James Connolly was executed, his values, his ideas and the example he gave us in life, are as inspiring and relevant as ever.

“It is entirely fitting and appropriate that the President of Ireland will officially open the James Connolly Visitor Centre and pay tribute to Connolly’s colossal contribution to our nation and to the lives of so many across the world.

“The realisation of Áras Uí Chonghaile is another major step forward for the success story that is West Belfast tourism. Supported by the Connolly family and funded by

Belfast City Council and the US Trade Union Movement, this new visitor centre will have a major social and economic impact on Belfast’s Gaeltacht Quarter, attracting thousands of visitors from across the globe every year.”

The new centre will include:

A state of the art exhibition that explores all aspects of James Connolly’s life and celebrate his contribution to the development of organised labour locally and internationally

A café facility operated by HATCH Coffee

A multi-functional events and conference facility

A unique collection of writings that will form an impressive library of books by and about James Connolly

A year round programme of events including talks, debates, discussions, training, drama, and music

Harry added: “We are inviting everyone to take part in the James Connolly Parade, leaving Conway Mill at 5pm on Good Friday and parading along the Falls Road to arrive at Áras Uí Chonghaile at 5.45pm.

“Outside the front of the centre a number of guest speakers headed by President Higgins will speak, and Irish singing star Frances Black will perform live along with renowned Belfast balladeer Terry ‘Cruncher’ O’Neill.

“We are saying to everyone, from the Falls Road, from Belfast, from across Ireland and from further afield, come along and take part in the parade and attend the opening ceremony outside Áras Uí Chonghaile.

“Come and listen to the tributes to the Falls Road resident and giant of the Trade Union movement and Irish independence movement, James Connolly.

“Good Friday will be James Connolly Day on the Falls Road and we aim to do him proud.”

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