26.05.2026
On Monday evening this week, Ashford Place had the distinct privilege of attending a historic reception at the Irish Embassy in London, hosted by the Irish Ambassador to Britain, Martin Fraser and Mrs Deirdre Fraser. The evening marked an incredibly important occasion for the Irish community in London: the first official UK state visit by Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly.
Renee Gallagher and Danny Maher, were there to represent Ashford Place and, most importantly, the people at the very heart of our mission. As an organisation, we are deeply privileged to stand up for the underprivileged, socially isolated members, and survivors within our community, providing the vital daily support they need to live well.
Amidst a room filled with dedicated community groups, President Connolly showed extraordinary warmth, generosity, and grace. She took time for absolutely everyone, listening intently to the diverse experiences of the diaspora. Meeting her in person was a profound honour that has given our team a renewed energy. It has inspired us to deepen our own Irish language skills and to work even harder to ensure our community members are fully included in the proud story of the Irish diaspora and its contributions.
Ultimately, the evening was a beautiful celebration of what we see every single day at Ashford Place: the true superpower of the Irish people, which is our unique ability to connect, care, support, and watch out for one another.
