Days after the reestablishment of the Stormont Executive, Anglo Irish and North-South relationships were celebrated at a special dinner hosted by Co-operation Ireland Chairman Dr Christopher Moran attended by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith, Irish Ambassador to London’s Deputy Head of Mission Mr Gerald Angley (pictured above) and Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster.

Dr. Christopher Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland with First Minister of Northern Ireland the Rt Hon Arlene Foster MLA and Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the Rt Hon Julian Smith MP at the annual Anglo-Irish dinner

The dinner was held in the historic Crosby Hall, London, on January 16 by Dr Moran as part of Co-operation Ireland’s ongoing commitment to strengthening and deepening British-Irish relationships.

Guests on the night included former Northern Ireland secretaries James Brokenshire MP and Theresa Villiers MP, who was recently appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. DUP Chief Whip Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was also in attendance.

(Left to Right) First Minister of Northern Ireland the Rt Hon Arlene Foster MLA; Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP; Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the Rt Hon Julian Smith MP; Dr. Christopher Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland; Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and current Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs the Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP

Enjoying the speeches were the Rt Hon Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, and Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Gerald Angley representing the Embassy of Ireland in Great Britain

First Minister Arlene Foster praised the work of Co-operation Ireland in her address with Tánaiste Simon Coveney echoing these sentiments in a letter read out to the guests. Minister Coveney was unable to attend due to the ongoing election in the Republic of Ireland.

“I am very sorry not to be able to join you all tonight, but I want to send my very best wishes and warmest regards – especially to Julian, to his government colleagues, and of course to the representatives of parties in Northern Ireland.

“We and our respective teams have worked so closely together in recent months, with the political parties. And it was wonderful to see those efforts coming to fruition and leading to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, and the North South Ministerial Council, last weekend. This can bring about a new beginning for Northern Ireland, and for North-South relations.

“This is such an excellent context for Co-operation Ireland to continue its hugely important work on the ground to promote peace and reconciliation. My sincerest thanks to you, Christopher, to Peter and all the people who make the organisation what it is.”